64 replies to this topic

[SpecialAgent]

Thanks for your comment, Yvette. The Aczone is grainy, but as soon as it dries, I have no problem with makeup application. It hasn't been an issue, thankfully. I do the Aczone every morning, and sometimes I do apply it at night, 20 minutes or so before the Ziana, to trouble spots.

As for the yeast, I do take a homeopathic anti-yeast supplement and probiotics. I am just very prone to yeast infections, despite not having an underlying disorder. Just something as simple as a bit too much sugar will give me one. So my preference is just to not take an antibiotic for acne, if I can avoid one.

Yeah, I guess dapsone is a sulfone, so I'm not sure how that would play out with your allergy.

I am pleased with my progress so far, just wish I could reach perfection! (Don't we all?)

[elizabeth87]

Hey,

Thanks for posting your progression while on Aczone. My dermatologist prescribed it for me a month ago, and I just finished the (tiny!) tube, and am considering whether it is worth paying $35 to refill my prescription, or if I should move onto something else.

I have had acne my whole life - the only thing that would help was antibiotics, but then, as many of you have mentioned, being on them for years and years finally started to give me yeast infections. However, my acne flares up when I am not taking an oral acne medication of some sort, so a few months ago I agreed to go on birth control - I had many side effects, even after switching brands, so now I am back on the antibiotics, and am currently taking Solodyn. To combat the possible yeast infections, my dermatologist also prescribed me Nystatin, which is working really well to keep the infections away (something some of you may want to consider!). Birth control was awesome for controlling my skin, but it made me 10x more hungry than usual, and I would rather keep my pimples than gain weight. Also I would get really tired in the afternoon, and I think it contributed to making me moody.

I'm glad one of you posted about your skin seeming more oily - I've noticed that too in the past few weeks, even though it was never a problem for me before. Additionally, my acne flared up recently from my prescription of Strattera, which was giving me cystic pimples, so I've since stopped that and haven't had a cystic flare up since.

I don't think that I like Aczone yet since it's new, there isn't much information out there for people's personal reactions to it. I don't think it's really done anything - the texture is odd, my skin is oilier, and my pimples have been kept to a minimum, but I think that may be due to the antibiotic.

I'm thinking of going back to Benzaclin and the Cleanse and Treat Pads, anyone try out this combination? The Cleanse and Treat pads (prescription) dried out my skin dramatically when I used them daily, but they also shrunk my pores and made my skin really smooth. Any thoughts/ feedback, or new medication that has been working for you?

Thanks!

[SpecialAgent]

Hi Elizabeth,

I'm skeptical about Aczone as well. Anything that's the 'next big thing' always seems bound to disappoint.

But I really can't find a bad thing to say about it thus far, with the sole exception of it making my skin a bit oilier.

It's been working well for me. I had a breakout around my period, but I was kind of expecting that. Otherwise, my before and after pictures pretty much sum up the improvement.

I just wonder how well it will last. If you go to the Aczone website, the before and after pics they show of patients do show a remarkable improvement, but what's curious to me is that by the 12 week mark, some of the patients seem to be getting worse. So I wonder if the skin is kind of shocked by the new anti-infective properties, but gradually it loses its effectiveness? Who knows.

I'm sorry you're not having luck with the Aczone. It may take longer than a month. My co-pay is $35 as well. It seems like I'll be refilling every six weeks or so, and that sucks.

[Yvette2]

Thanks for your reply and information. Wish you continued success with your regimen.

Yvette

[SpecialAgent]

Almost week 5, I find that hard to believe.

As of this morning, I have a few small pimples. Another thing I've noticed is that they don't seem to get as red. Before, even a small pimple would be bright red and leave a bright red dot after it healed. I still seem to have some hyperpigmentation, but it's not as bad.

My neck is still a bit of a trouble spot, right below the jawline. Nothing sexier than some neck acne, I'll tell you.

Anyway, I still feel like I can't complain. Before, I had gotten into this ritual of showering at night and applying medicine to my face and then mineral concealer, because I just felt I couldn't face my husband with a face full of bright red zits. I haven't done this in weeks. I am feeling so much more positive and not nearly as anxious.

[SpecialAgent]

Two news zits today. I am totally wondering about milk consumption and pimples. Because my skin, before this treatment, had been so bad, it was hard to tell if dairy had any impact. I find it odd that after having a large latte the other day as well as a glass of 1% last night, that I have some new zits.

I'll have to investigate this further.

I'm loving my everyday minerals makeup. I got the intensive kind, and it covers much better. It's a very natural look.

[spacetravler]

What is your overall experience with Aczone? Would you recommend it?

[SpecialAgent]

Space traveler,

Generally, I like it. I haven't had much of an IB from the Ziana, and I'm attributing this to the Aczone. It seems to keep pimples from developing into larger beasts. I am sporting a very inflamed pimple on my forehead, but anything else I have on my face is rather small.

It does increase facial oiliness too. My face is already oily, so this side effect is definitely a nuisance. But the difference between my pre-treatment photos and now is pretty amazing. So something is working. It also isn't too drying, which is great. I'm getting a good treatment without having peeling.

Time will tell if it continues to be effective. Hope this answers any questions you might have.

[spacetravler]

I am not treating my skin atm with anything other then a cleanser and moisturizer but thinking of picking up Aczone. The oiliness side effect is not so promising but I guess it may differ from person to person. I have usually dry and flaking skin in some areas and some other is normal but my problem areas are usually normal to oily (nose+chin). My impression of what I have read about Aczone is; Results can be seen fast, gentle, don't dry out, don't sting and don't cause redness. Not to forget, expensive. Seems like its either, Aczone, epiduo or accutane for me. Just that I probably wont have an option for accutane due to mildness of my acne even after a failed Tetralysal course. I am trying to stay away from epiduo because I can just feel the sting and redness even before I tried it. ^^

Oh well, I will check back and see if you are still making progress.

[hedgie14]

I am so excited I found this! I went to the derm today and she prescribed both ziana and aczone. I am ready to start this and see where it leads me. I haven't ever gotten cysts, just small acne but I have enough of them that I am ready for something! I heard aczone can cause blindness but I researched and haven't found anything else, have you heard that? Also, what cleanser do you use? I'll keep you posted on how it goes! Wish me luck

Amy

[SpecialAgent]

I've had a little bit of a breakout. Nothing like I've had before, though, so that's the positive thing. I'm wondering if it could be one of three things: hormones from ovulation, a switch to the intensive formula of Everyday Minerals, or some recent heavy-duty dairy consumption.

I went back to the old mineral foundation (not intensive) and have stopped dairy again (oh, how I love ice cream!). Can't really help the hormone thing, though.

Hedgie, I hadn't heard that about Aczone. Jeez, that's frightening though. Hope it's not true.

[hedgie14]

I really don't think it's true about the blindness. Someone just posted on Yahoo Answers that it can happen, but after doing some research on the internet I found nothing else so I thinks it's okay.

I started Aczone and Ziana last night and this morning. Redness seems to be reduced on face

[AF1girl]

You're progress has been fantastic! thanks for starting a log on aczone, there hasn't been very much on this site about it. From the little there was posted, i had my derm prescribe me some and i've been on it for 3.5 weeks. I LOVE IT!!!

I used to have a log on RAM .1%, but it didn't work for me. Didn't stop my breakouts or reduce my hyperpigmentation. It did help my pores size a tiny bit. Now I only use aczone (2x/day) and i haven't had any new breakouts since i started!!!

Keep it up and good luck!

[SpecialAgent]

So I'm totally bummed. The past few days have been the worst as far as breakouts while on treatment. I'm wondering if this could be the IB, two or so weeks late? It's a strong possibility. I haven't been living life any differently, so it wouldn't surprise me.

I just have to keep telling myself that it's disappointing, but still not nearly as bad as it was before. As it stands now, I have about 3 semi-large ones on my face, and a few small ones. And they're not as red as they used to get.

Still, after so much progress, to have a breakout blows.

[SpecialAgent]

This has got to be an IB. Cyst on chin, and small inflamed pimples elsewhere. They just keep coming. So it took approximately 7 weeks to get an IB! Still, it's better than it was. Even with this breakout, much better.

But, grrrrrr! I'm pissed anyway. I hate this particular spot on my chin to get cysts. It's straight down from the corner of my mouth. That area always gets so sore, and seems reluctant to heal.

[hedgie14]

Aww I'm sorry! What is an IB?

[SpecialAgent]

Hedgie, an IB stands for 'initial breakout.' It's the term used to describe the worsening of acne often seen after starting a retinoid like Differin or Retin-A, or after starting Accutane. Usually, acne gets worse before it gets better. Or sometimes, you experience a clearing, and then a worsening. That seems to be what I'm going through now.

[ny1982]

Hey SpecialAgent!

Thanks for your posts...thought I'd stop by here too. Hang in there...I hope your IB heals quickly and we can both be clear for spring and summer! Please keep updating and have a great weekend!

[SpecialAgent]

Things seem to be evening out a bit. Most of the pimples have dried up and/or gone down. I feel pretty good with makeup. Hopefully, that was it.

[hedgie14]

thank you so much for this blog! i have been on both of these products for about 2 weeks and this is the best my face has looked for as long as i can remember. i know its way too early to tell but im happy!