10 replies to this topic

[Pshla]

Hi everyone!

Let me explain my situation a little. I'm 20 yo, suffering from acne since I was 12. I don't even remember what it's like to have normal skin anymore. I've tried everything except for accutane. Last yr, I said to myself: "screw it, I'm going to try the holistic method and see what happens." I changed my diet, sleeping habits, regimen....everything. I still used a BP wash that's never given me any irritation or dryness what-so-ever. For a glorious 5 months, I was clear. Aside from an occasional non-cystic pimple before my period, I was CLEAR. My red marks were fading nicely too.

THEN, I decided to try Spectro cleanser for a week since I've been told that it's more gentle. BAD IDEA. I broke out in patches of small red (or colorless) bumps that itched like crazy. I waited a few days. Then I thought: "no problem. so my skin hates Spectro. I'll change back to my tried-and-true cleanser, and everything will be fine." EXCEPT those bumps stayed!!!!

They're generally the worst after my shower (face looks like it belongs to Frankenstein), and best when I first wake up (barely visible). Right side of my face is the worst, but there are these bumps everywhere on my face. I'm not sure if they're acne, but some of them did have white heads on them. What's happening to me??!! I seriously feel like a monster. My derm is useless. He keeps trying to get me to use Benzaclin again even though it's never worked before.

Pictures (real life is actually much worse) attached.

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[Prodigy304]

Hi there, you're acne doesn't look inflamed or anything. How long have you had these bumps? Also when you first did the holistic approach, how long did it take to clear up you're acne?...it might just be the case of being patience??

Btw what did you do during the holistic approach, how did you chnage your sleeping habits? and diet?

[Pshla]

Hi there, you're acne doesn't look inflamed or anything. How long have you had these bumps? Also when you first did the holistic approach, how long did it take to clear up you're acne?...it might just be the case of being patience??

Btw what did you do during the holistic approach, how did you chnage your sleeping habits? and diet?

Well, it took me about 3 months to get clear initially and stayed clear for 5 months. I took out gluten and chicken in my diet (cuz of my sensitivity) and ate vegetables and fruits mostly. Diet regimen is in my sig. I just made sure I got enough sleep each day ( try to go to bed before 12). It worked great until I decided to use Spectro Jel. None of the diet stuff changed what-so-ever.

And I've had these bumps for over a month now. Each morning, they seem to be mostly gone. In the shower (same temp as I've always had it: warm and same products), they start to appear, by noon, I can barely recognize myself. Then they're somewhat better in the afternoon till I go to bed.

[rw000]

Have you considered going to a different dermatologist?

Also, anytime you try a new regime new there is a good chance you'll have an initial breakout. Even if you go on accutane you'll have an initial breakout. Perhaps you should try sticking to regimes a little bit longer before dismissing them just incase they do turn out to actually work.

[Pshla]

Have you considered going to a different dermatologist?

Also, anytime you try a new regime new there is a good chance you'll have an initial breakout. Even if you go on accutane you'll have an initial breakout. Perhaps you should try sticking to regimes a little bit longer before dismissing them just incase they do turn out to actually work.

I've been to 3 different derms, and this is actually the best one. At least he's not a relentless Accutane pusher. If anyone knows actually competent derms in Vancouver. Let me know! All the ones I've been to are crazy about ONE product they swear by. (Accutane, Benzaclin or RetinA)

Maybe I'm not making myself clear. I started my diet/holistic regimen LAST YEAR and stuck with it for 3 months of slow progress. I gradually got clear and stayed clear until the Spectro disaster.

Well, I stuck with the Spectro for 2.5 weeks. The itching, dry but oily-looking and bumpy skin got worse and worse day by day. Then I finally couldn't stand it anymore. Every waking moment, I felt like there were tiny little worms crawling all over my face. The sensation is hard to describe. It was physically impossible for me to "stick to it before dismissing it." I figured I must have been allergic to it. (It was the logical thing to think, no?) Then I switched back to my usual cleanser, and it hasn't gotten better (or worse).

It's not like I'm new to this acne thing. It's not like I just started trying out regimens. I know all about this initial breakout and have gone through it many many times. This time is different. The sensation is killing me.

[JayQ]

Have you considered going to a different dermatologist?

Also, anytime you try a new regime new there is a good chance you'll have an initial breakout. Even if you go on accutane you'll have an initial breakout. Perhaps you should try sticking to regimes a little bit longer before dismissing them just incase they do turn out to actually work.

I've been to 3 different derms, and this is actually the best one. At least he's not a relentless Accutane pusher. If anyone knows actually competent derms in Vancouver. Let me know! All the ones I've been to are crazy about ONE product they swear by. (Accutane, Benzaclin or RetinA)

Maybe I'm not making myself clear. I started my diet/holistic regimen LAST YEAR and stuck with it for 3 months of slow progress. I gradually got clear and stayed clear until the Spectro disaster.

Well, I stuck with the Spectro for 2.5 weeks. The itching, dry but oily-looking and bumpy skin got worse and worse day by day. Then I finally couldn't stand it anymore. Every waking moment, I felt like there were tiny little worms crawling all over my face. The sensation is hard to describe. It was physically impossible for me to "stick to it before dismissing it." I figured I must have been allergic to it. (It was the logical thing to think, no?) Then I switched back to my usual cleanser, and it hasn't gotten better (or worse).

It's not like I'm new to this acne thing. It's not like I just started trying out regimens. I know all about this initial breakout and have gone through it many many times. This time is different. The sensation is killing me.

This sounds and looks about what i had on my cheeks forever and i finally got them to clear about 90% and they no longer itch. I had tried benzaclin, BP on them too and it would never make it go away. What i used and still do on it is H&S selenium sulfide shampoo. When i shower i take about 2 finger tip dab fulls and rub it it on both my cheeks under eyes until it starts to foam and i let it sit on there for about 2min then rinse it off. Rub gently and do not scrub. This was the only thing that worked in that area for me. I believe it was seborrheic dermatitis, and thats why i chose that treatment cause selenium sulfide kills it. Give it a try see what you think

[rw000]

Have you considered going to a different dermatologist?

Also, anytime you try a new regime new there is a good chance you'll have an initial breakout. Even if you go on accutane you'll have an initial breakout. Perhaps you should try sticking to regimes a little bit longer before dismissing them just incase they do turn out to actually work.

I've been to 3 different derms, and this is actually the best one. At least he's not a relentless Accutane pusher. If anyone knows actually competent derms in Vancouver. Let me know! All the ones I've been to are crazy about ONE product they swear by. (Accutane, Benzaclin or RetinA)

Maybe I'm not making myself clear. I started my diet/holistic regimen LAST YEAR and stuck with it for 3 months of slow progress. I gradually got clear and stayed clear until the Spectro disaster.

Well, I stuck with the Spectro for 2.5 weeks. The itching, dry but oily-looking and bumpy skin got worse and worse day by day. Then I finally couldn't stand it anymore. Every waking moment, I felt like there were tiny little worms crawling all over my face. The sensation is hard to describe. It was physically impossible for me to "stick to it before dismissing it." I figured I must have been allergic to it. (It was the logical thing to think, no?) Then I switched back to my usual cleanser, and it hasn't gotten better (or worse).

It's not like I'm new to this acne thing. It's not like I just started trying out regimens. I know all about this initial breakout and have gone through it many many times. This time is different. The sensation is killing me.

Oh cool, I live in Vancouver too.
Not much to add. If the acne is driving you crazy then perhaps accutane wouldn't be the worst thing.

[Pshla]

Whoa, just realized that my posts sounded pretty rude and defensive. Sorry guys, the itch was driving me crazy yesterday so I was pretty moody.

Well, I decided to go one step further than the water-washing method (which didn't help the irritation that much before when I tried it) and not wash my face. One full day has passed and the bumps and irritation, not to mention red marks, went away 80%. One of my friends literally said "WHAT did you do?" I'm going to try to keep this up for as long as I can and just see what happens. I've tried everything else except for Accutane, which might be dangerous for me because I have a family history of liver disease. This can't be worse than the RetinA and the Spectro disasters I've experienced.

[Prodigy304]

hon you're posts wern't rude at all. I've always wanted to try not washing my face for a day, but my skin is way to oily and greasy.

[imawkward]

Hi I know I'm kind of late to jump in on this topic, but I just wanted to let you know that I have the same condition on my face as you. It's most likely dermatitis or rosacea. Unfortunately your derm probably will suck at treating it as mine all have. Mine initially started from using a strong medicine, methotrexate, to treat my over all psoriasis. The methotrexate permanently has dried out my skin and it seemed like even just the water in the shower was causing these bumps. I now, no longer wash my face with anything, unless I get something REALLY gross or caustic on my skin. Instead I moisturize a lot. I wouldn't be shocked if you are allergic to the dimethicone in this product. While I am so sorry to find out that this product did this to your skin, I am glad I read your experience, because I was planning on switching to this product for cleansing my body. Won't be doing that now. If you ever need a facial cleanser in the future, my favorites have always been Ultra-Gentle Cleansing Gel and Cetaphil bar soap. I also like to moisturize with jojoba oil, because most cosmetic moisturizers have extra ingredients that are irritating. I'm not sure if an oil would be too heavy for your skin type.

Good luck.

[Pshla]

Thanks so much for your input imawkward!

The derms I've met are so frustrating. If it's red bumps and it's on your face, it must be acne. -__-' I think it's an allergy reaction as well. I haven't washed my face or put anything on it at all since I posted. At least 80% of the bumps have gone away. The itch is pretty much nonexistent. Even the red marks don't look as visible either.

I know everyone raves about Spectro Jel, but I seriously had a bad reaction to it. I will NOT be touching it anymore, and I advise other people to try it on a small area before using it.

I think I'm going to use Cetaphil or that Ultra gentle cleanser (which brand?) once I'm done the no-washing-face regimen. I'm going to do this for a little over a month. Then maybe I'll wash with water first once in a while before using cleansers (when I feel too gross). Meanwhile, I'm following the logs of other people who are doing this closely. If I have a drastically bad reaction to it that's different from other people, I'll stop. I also got a lot of chrysanthemum, which was helpful even when I fell off my diet wagon while on vacation earlier this year.