39 replies to this topic

[Golthie]

I know I am posting a lot. I can't help it. My skin really gets me down. I should be focusing on work and the new house and my three beautiful boys. But always my FACE is bothering me. I know worrying about it does not help. I know it will clear up eventually. Just seems like it's not working. I'm not using two full fingers of b.p. twice a day yet, hoping to avoid all the redness/flakiness but maybe I should just suck it up and do it anyway. *sigh* Can't wait for summer and the pool because that always clears me up nicely. l know if I didn't pick so much I would clear up more, but I CANNOT walk around with a white zit on my face. I do pop them "correctly" but either way, it still leaves a scar. And I say "scar" because they stay for years. I am going to ditch the Cetaphil and see if it helps. I want to cry today.

On a sidenote, tomorrow is my last day on Bactrim. No effect on my skin at all. Disappointed.

Edited by Golthie, 09 November 2009 - 04:17 PM.

[Golthie]

Bought a L'Oreal skin genesis spf moisturizer today. It was on sale for $10 instead of $20. Thought I'd go a little more expensive. Do you really get what you pay for? We'll see. It came with a sample of the serum too, so this afternoon I washed my face and tried both. My skin instantly looked better. Smooth and soothed. Brandy suggested I add a little water to the Cetaphil to thin it down so I may do that at night. Going to use a full finger of b.p. twice a day and just deal with the redness. I am also going to go without full makeup as much as possible to see if it helps. I really want this to work!

[Golthie]

I cannot believe how much better my skin looks since using the L'Oreal moisturizer/serum! After only two applications. It makes my face look SO much better. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue and it won't clog my pores or make me breakout. For now, it is helping things heal, Hallelujah

[Golthie]

Day 44....

My face is a mess of red and purple marks of all shapes and sizes. I hate to think about how I looked this time last year when I was pregnant and using clindamycin. I barely needed makeup. Makes me sad because I know it will take forever for these marks to heal. I actually only have one small active zit so I am happy about that and I am loving the loreal moisturizer. It felt really good on top of the b.p. last night. Not greasy and did not burn. I had planned on using the full finger of b.p. in the mornings too but haven't been able to add it in yet because the full amount at night leaves burn marks where healing zits are. This is my week to "clear up," HA.

*forgot to add...as soon as the baby is no longer nursing, I'm going to try Aleve to combat hormonal breakouts. I also want Dan's AHA for these marks!*

Edited by Golthie, 13 November 2009 - 01:57 PM.

[sushikam]

Just read through some of your more recent posts. I started a couple weeks after you, and feel I am experiencing basically the same things you are, except I'm not too certain if my breakouts are hormonal. But I noticed when I switched birth controls back in May my acne continuously got worse, so I contribute it to the new birth control.

Anyway, good to hear you only have one active pimple!! I know how those scars/red marks feel though!! On the right side of my face my whole jaw cheek area is filled with them from the first couple weeks on the regimen and now my left side is breaking out badly and leaving marks...

I just ordered some AHA since I had to replenish my face wash already and have used it as a spot treatment on an active pimple on my face and then also on my back where I'm finally beginning to clear from the BP. I didn't notice any burning or stinging like others say, and it made that one pimple on my face come to a head overnight! I'm hoping to eventuallly use it all over to help with red marks, but fear an initial purging .

I too pop all those whiteheads, but appropriately, as you do. It's nearly impossible to walk around with a big old white thing staring everyone in the face! I'd rather it just be red, and it heals faster that way. For me, I get red marks regardless if I pop or not, so I figure I'll just pop.

Hope everything continues to get better for you! Acne is stressful and makes us all feel ugly at some point or another...it's frustrating, but we have to stick with it!!

[Golthie]

Thank you for reading sushikam! It helps to know others are in this with me

So Day 47.....
Skin is healing! Breakouts have slowed. I have been icing my face at night after washing. I just take a small ice cube and gently rub it all over until it melts, then pat dry and wait the usual 10 or 15 minutes to apply a finger length of b.p. It seems to help with the circulation and red marks! Broke out a little on my right jawline and a few other small random ones, but overall definite improvement. Going to keep doing what I am doing and hope the progress keeps up! Also I notice a definite improvment if I make sure to moisturize twice a day. LOVE my moisturizer

[linhova7]

Hi Chica! I just wanted to let you know that I'm keeping up with your progress. I don't have a blog myself but it's good to read what others are going through so I know I'm not the only one who is suffering through this. I am on day 36, Week 6 and still breaking out...and it's really starting to get me down. I have hope, though, and hopefully we'll both come out of this alive and with beautiful skin. Keep up the good work.

[Golthie]

I'm so glad you've been reading I know it can get tedious sometimes! Things ARE looking up. I am still breaking out, just starting week 8 but they are much smaller and heal much faster than what I was dealing with early on. Stay consistent, listen to your skin, it WILL get better.

Day 51....
I have been seeing slow improvement since I stopped using the Cetaphil lotion. I tried it again a few days ago and BAM two whiteheads on my top lip. Coincidence? I think not. I haven't been able to buy AHA yet, but I may see if the new Walgreens down the road has some.
So my goals are:
1. Buy AHA
2. Add b.p. in the mornings (as long as my skin gives the o.k.)
3. Keep my hands off my face! (I work at the comp. and this is hard for me)

Getting there.

Edited by Golthie, 20 November 2009 - 04:12 PM.

[sushikam]

Also I notice a definite improvment if I make sure to moisturize twice a day. LOVE my moisturizer

What moisturizer are you using? I've been using Dan's at night...using less and less each night because my skin burns less, if at all, when I use less, and I make up with more jojoba oil. And in the mornings I'm using Complex 15....love the way it feels and that it's oil free (I wear makeup, so have to have oil free), but lately it seems my skin gets oilier throughout the day than it used to with my old moisturizer that I didn't like...

[Golthie]

I am using L'Oreal's Skin Genesis spf 15 lotion. It's fragrance free and light but very hydrating. Goes on great under my makeup. I know it's not on the recommended "list" but I haven't broken out from it and absolutely NO burning after applying it. I got some half price at CVS (it's normally $20 there).

Had about 5 new pimples surface today, due to ovulation I'm pretty sure. They don't bother me too much because the rest of my skin is looking better. Iced and added some xtra b.p. tonight and took some ibuprofen. Tomorrow's church, I want to look nice

[Golthie]

Day 58....

This is actually the end of week 8. My skin has been healing over the last week. The red marks from my lastbreakout are pretty big and taking awhile to fade, but overall I am still seeing improvement. A pea size blob every night is enough to keep my forehead clear. Need a little more for my chin. I have yet to clear my cheeks/sides of my face. Going to keep using the b.p. at night and add some in the mornings whenever I can (meaning, not under makeup! I mean seriously, who can use a full finger of b.p. then moisturize and still put on makeup to look relatively normal?? Not me!) Hopefully that will prevent anything new. The stress from building the house, making decisions,etc. I know is not good for me, especially not getting enough sleep because my husband comes in late and the baby has been waking up a lot. I need my sleep!

[Golthie]

Day 62...

Bad breakout. AF is due this weekend. 5 zits on the left side of my face in front of my ear, small though. One on the right side of my neck...typical hormonal spot for me plus a few new on the bad right side of my face. And mirror zits...one on each temple. Add all that on top of what was already NOT healing and BLEH. My skin looks awful compared to what it looked like last week. I know it will heal, I just wish I could've prevented it in the first place. Used b.p. this morning, gonna use it tonight and see if I can keep up twice a day applications. That should help, right? RIGHT? Knowing me, it will give me b.p. burns and make my skin scaley and peeling. AARGH. I am frustrated today. It will take at least a week to heal, by then I'll be due for another hormonal breakout. Is clear skin really too much to ask for? Heck, I'll take semi-clear skin!!!

[Golthie]

Day 70.....

Still breaking out. Old ones from last week are healing, a bunch of new ones on my left cheek and right jawline. Two of those are because I picked though. Stupid me, I know better. The rest are because AF showed up right on time. Still lots and LOTS of marks, esp. on the right side. My forehead and chin continue to respond well to the p.m. b.p. staying very clear, just a small spot here and there. But the sides of my face/cheeks just won't clear up. I HAVE to start using the b.p. in the mornings, even if it's just a thin layer. I'm going to go do that right now.

We are hoping to move into our new house in about two weeks. I've been stressing over that, plus not getting much sleep with the baby teething so when all that improves, my skin should too. We have to get the hardwood down inside, the driveway poured (probably tomorrow) and pass final inspections. Oh and do a bit of landscaping. All in the hopes of getting in before Christmas!

[Golthie]

Day 74....

I started applying a small amount of b.p. in the mornings since my last post. And it is helping so far! I broke out with a few whiteheads in the worst areas and even a couple on my forehead, but I chalk that up to purging and ovulation due in a few days. They died quickly without marking too much. The right side of my neck continues to be a very hormonal spot and b.p. just makes it very red and rashy. Oh well, if I can get the rest of my face clear, I won't worry much about that area. Skin is a little dry today not too bad, I will keep this up until it adjusts and then add more b.p. in the a.m.'s if needed. Should be clearing up for Christmas and we are hoping to start moving in our new house this weekend. We have an inspection tomorrow.

[Golthie]

Okay I have no idea what day this is, I just know it's been over three months now.

We moved into our new house on the 19th of December!! Woo Hoo! I love it! That's why I couldn't update. I have only missed about three random days of b.p. in the midst of it all and managed to stay fairly clear until last week when A.F. was due. Again. LOTS of little red stubborn whiteheads around my nose/mouth area. And I got a new haircut that I LOVE but I have bangs now and they make my forehead break out On one hand I don't care cause you can't see but on the other, I want clear skin. SOOO I need to be very religious about applying enough b.p. in the evenings like I was before because it DOES keep my skin clearer but this has been a very strange and stubborn breakout. I'm glad my hubby is away on a trip so I can work on clearing it up. Going to add back in my nightly ice too because I know for sure that helps with the healing.

Will try to update again soon.

[Golthie]

Well at my last post I was working on clearing up an A.F. breakout. It didn't clear, plus I ovulated twice last month so broke out that entire week! So guess what that means people??? Yep, red marks! bleh. Hate em. I haven't been using the b.p. religiously, though I've found more often than not it works better in my schedule to apply it in the morning. Nighttime is usually just too busy and I want to fall into bed and not worry about bleaching stuff. Mornings are slower after I get the kiddos to school and I can take my time with the extra step. I guess the new house stuff came at a bad time because I really wanted to stick with my routine and see if it would keep me clear. Now I am pretty much waiting for summer and trips to the pool/beach which always makes my skin look better. It seems to be healing now that I'm at the end of another hormonal cycle so I will use the b.p. as a prevention for my next ovulation breakout. Here's hoping!

[dan2x]

Hi there,
Well? How is it going?
Keep us posted. I'm at my 22nd day in the regimen and would very like to know whether you're doing any better or not.

thanks, dan.

[Golthie]

Nope. Not doing any better. My sister is going to send me clindamycin next month which is what keeps her skin clear and worked for me when I was pregnant. I still use b.p. in the morning but I can't tell that it does much. AF is due Friday so my face is a mess. I hate it.

[dan2x]

W00t? I would stay away from Clindamycin, as every other topical antibiotic works only for the shortest period of time if you're lucky, and not at all if you aren't.
I've used it as a spot treatment years ago, and it used to make em less red and helped with the healing, but as of now I've come to the point where the pimple gets worst whenever I put it on. Nice uh?

Anyway I wanted to add that Bp is working for me, so far(about 1 month), but my acne wasn't that bad in the first place, it was only utterly annoying
I must also add that the redness is somewhat a plus for me(what irony), because I use bp only in some areas, usually those areas which are most exposed to sun when you suntan, therefore I really look like I've been skiing away ah!(exactly the same healthy and concealing glow you get when you stay too much in the sun) Although it's much embarrassing when people ask about it, and you can't come up with an excuse other than "well I figure I must have suntanned while I was stuck in that terrible traffic jam this morning *looks out of the window and sees it's all cloudy and rainy, awkward silence ensues*

cheers

Edited by dan2x, 17 February 2010 - 10:53 AM.

[Golthie]

Well I hate bp. It bleaches everything and is a pain to apply. And I wear makeup so there's no way I can use a full finger of Dan's bp (no matter how awesome it is) plus moisturize and get my face to look normal. Nah. I'll take the clindamycin.

Any mod that would like to delete this log sure can. No longer using the acne.org regimen. It helped my acne a little, but just doesn't fit in well with my lifestyle anymore.