29 replies to this topic

[Gordon 94]

Oh well i'll just switch to a new hairstyle then.. a short one.. and btw.. like you know how there are skins right on the edge of your eyes right? and i got some red marks on both side.. but when i touch it its smooth though... should i use something Retin-A to cure the red mark and cut the hair so it won't reach there???

Yeah but the weird part is... i barely get acne on my forehead.. and T zone anymore... just the other parts...

[hatori]

I do NOT recommend putting ANYTHING near the eyes. Also, I have no experience with Retin-A so I don't really know what to suggest for this... ;_;

END OF WEEK ELEVEN

Overview: I've got those tiny bumps again on my nose and I feel like I'm gonna get my period soon, so that makes sense. Meanwhile, I've got a bit of a break-out on both cheeks and the right jawline. No cysts.

Details: Those silly little bumps on my nose are back! And, as expected, I feel like I'm going to get my period within the next few days. I don't really have a set schedule... for many years my body has been very irregular with menstrual cycles. I only really know when it's about to happen because I can just "feel" it. Now I can look at my nose and figure out when I'm gonna get it! lol

A variety of zits popped up all at once on my cheeks, both sides. Are these also related to my period? I looked back at a log from a few weeks ago when I had my other occurrence of nose acne/period-induced acne, and I also had these exact same zits pop up. Usually when I get random zits they pop up at different times, go down at different times, and are in different locations. But these that I'm experiencing all popped up at the same time, are affecting my face symmetrically, are going down at the same time, and are THE EXACT SAME as the ones I had when I got my period before. This is really interesting! I'm definitely going to ask the dermatologist about this one! In the meantime I'm trying hard not to pick (as usual) and since there are quite a few zits clustering around each other, I'm not spot-treating -- instead, I'm applying to the entire surface of my cheeks. I'm leaving my forehead alone, however, since it is essentially clear.

[hatori]

Delays, as usual! I've got finals, sorry. Anyway, I've lumped these two weeks together.

END OF WEEK TWELVE AND THIRTEEN

Overview: Breakouts galore on both cheeks! What's the cause?

Details: As stated above, I've got some decent pimples on both cheeks. These aren't small or passing things: they're deep and painful. They're not quite on the level of cysts or nodules, but they've been hurting and haven't been easy to deal with. I've also had a zit or two on my forehead, and one on my chin. I'm not sure what's up, but I've got a few hypotheses:

1) Shampoo switch a few weeks ago, and now new zits are popping up.
2) Weather is HOTTT! My face started getting very oily a few weeks ago. New zits now because of it?
3) I changed my regimen a while back.

At any rate, I'm annoyed and a bit discouraged. Plus, I've also been picking again, which isn't making things any better. I've just been really stressed lately and not taking care of myself like I should. I'm going to immediately switch back to my original routine of applying BP to all areas, and I'm going to stay with it even if my face gets better. At least until I talk to my derm.

Wish me luck! (On finals and with my acne!)

[hatori]

END OF WEEK FOURTEEN

Overview: Breakouts everywhere... I'm quite discouraged.

Details: I've got new zits on my forehead, both cheeks, jaw line on both sides of my face, both temples, and even one really awkward and painful one on my right earlobe. What in the world is happening?! Is this still whiplash from when I decided to spot-treat with the BP rather than apply it everywhere? I sure hope it's that and nothing more. I'm very upset about this. Is the doxycycline not working anymore? Mehhh...

I had to buy a new tube of BP gel. It's ten percent instead of five. I couldn't find five at a cheap price. I'll probably be starting the new tube this week and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

I've been picking lately, which is bad. Very bad. I'm well aware of how this is making things worse. I'll try harder at not picking. Right now I just can't stop thinking about my acne, and so I can't stop touching it. Must have self-control!

I've gone back to the Neosporin and bandaid night treatment for open/picked zits. I can't remember if I posted anything about this before but basically at night before bed I'll clean any "wounds" I have and then dab some Neosporin and a tiny bandaid on the spot. Usually that makes everything heal much faster.

Update on my next appointment: It has been switched from late June to early July.

That's it for this week!

[hatori]

END OF WEEK FIFTEEN

Overview: Acne has calmed down greatly.

Details: That miserable breakout I last mentioned has calmed down. Many zits have either gone away or are hard to see and aren't causing much of a problem. Thankfully I didn't get any cysts during the breakout. The zits were annoying but they were never on the level that the cysts were.

I'm starting to get used to the BP gel. This is a much thinner, more watery gel. It makes application easier and faster, and it doesn't leave a thick layer like the other gel did. It's also drying out my skin a bit, which I'm sure I'll adjust to soon.

That's it for this week. Not much here other than my little recovery. See ya next week!

[Gutterflower]

END OF WEEK FIFTEEN

Overview: Acne has calmed down greatly.

Details: That miserable breakout I last mentioned has calmed down. Many zits have either gone away or are hard to see and aren't causing much of a problem. Thankfully I didn't get any cysts during the breakout. The zits were annoying but they were never on the level that the cysts were.

I'm starting to get used to the BP gel. This is a much thinner, more watery gel. It makes application easier and faster, and it doesn't leave a thick layer like the other gel did. It's also drying out my skin a bit, which I'm sure I'll adjust to soon.

That's it for this week. Not much here other than my little recovery. See ya next week!

Are you using a 10% BP? I've found that it's about as effective as a 5% in terms of treating pimples, but a lot more drying. Also, I've also found (not to undermine your dermatologist since I'm clearly not one myself - just somebody who actually suffers from acne) that BP wash doesn't make a lot of difference because it doesn't have time to actually treat your skin in the process of putting it on and washing it off. Maybe you're best off using a gentle cleanser, so you're not bombarding your skin with lots of different products? I use an organic cleanser because I feel that my skin is better off being gently washed since it's always being attacked with topicals.

Doxy likes to dry your skin out too so a medicated wash PLUS 10% BP might freak your skin out a bit.

[hatori]

Thanks for the input, Gutterflower!

Yes, I'm now using 10% BP. I'm also aware that the 2%, 5%, and 10% concentrations are all equally effective, and that the higher the concentration, the more likely skin will suffer side effects such as dryness, redness, and peeling. I just bought this type of gel because for the amount I was getting, it was the cheapest at the store. Thankfully, even though I've had some peeling at first, it's completely fine now.

Thank you for the notice on the efficacy of the face wash. I was not aware of this, and was under the impression that the BP wash worked immediately as the peroxide came into contact with and oxygenated the bacteria on the skin (and supposedly within open pores). It obviously doesn't do anything once the water washes it away... it just works in those brief moments when it's on the face (unless it somehow "soaks" into the skin but not sure BP does that in any form, including the gel. I could be wrong, however.). I thought this quick wash would be enough work and "make a difference" but maybe not.

You've brought up a good point concerning "bombarding" the skin. SELDOM washes with GENTLE cleansers is the best way to go! In fact, using way too many harsh products on my skin was what caused my once normal breakout to become terribly infected... hence why I was put on doxycycline. The dermatologist scolded me for that one. For now, however, I'm just going to stick with my derm's plan. I've already deviated from it once before by spot-treating with the BP gel and I believed that caused my skin to retaliate with an all-face breakout. However, once I get the go-ahead from him I plan to definitely cut back with all of this stuff on my face!

Thanks for the comment!

Edited by hatori, 25 June 2011 - 10:54 PM.

[hatori]

END OF WEEK SIXTEEN

Overview: Acne has continued to calm down. Only three active zits.

Details: As stated above, my face is very calm except for three zits! It should have been only two, but I was stupid and picked at a few blackheads so I gave myself a third one. I have one on each cheek and one right in the middle of my forehead. Not very nice but let's be honest, if it's only three zits on the entire face, I shouldn't be complaining. I still have lots of little blackheads but they're very small and can only be seen up close so I'm not worried.

I've decided I really like this new BP gel. It dried out my face at first but now everything is completely fine. It goes on evenly and quickly, which makes applications a lot faster, and I don't feel like it's "always there" on my face.

My appointment is next week! I'm both excited and nervous. I wonder what the dermatologist is going to do. The doxycycline has worked: he gave it to me specifically for my cysts, and those are all gone. I wonder what's next?

Anyway, my upcoming appointment means that next week may be my last weekly posting!!! We'll see what happens.

Feel free to leave a comment!

[hatori]

END OF WEEK SEVENTEEN

Overview: Acne is the same as before. Around three small zits or so on my face (not the same ones).

Details: I'm so happy! My face is so clear right now (except for clogged pores on my forehead that are essentially invisible and usually don't bother me)! Any type of blemish I've had recently has been very small, not painful at all, and clears up quickly! As usual, I have no cysts thanks to the antibiotics. Right now I only have one almost unnoticeable blemish on my left cheek, and two little red ones on my left temple. The rest of my face has "remnants" from the old cysts that fall out periodically and red marks that are fading. My friends and family have told me recently that they've seen a great improvement in my face, so I'm very happy!

I'm seeing the dermatologist TOMORROW! I'm very nervous but also excited. My update from him might be my last post unless he keeps me on the doxycycline. I'm not sure if I'm going to make another log or not if he gives me another medication. We'll see.

Thanks for reading!

[hatori]

FINAL UPDATE

Hello all! I saw the dermatologist yesterday and here's what went down:

My acne has improved dramatically. I have no major blackheads to be concerned about. However, I do still get pustules in a variety of places. Since the cystic acne is gone and the amount of regular zits is fading, he is reducing my dosage of doxycycline. I am now at half of my old dose. So, now I take only 100 mg ONCE a day. Yay!

In terms of topicals and washes, I am to continue washing my face twice a day with my 2.5% BP wash, and then following with my current 10% BP gel (or another concentration if I so desire) and moisturizer if needed. IN ADDITION, I have been given "Desonide Cream (0.05%)". This is a synthetic topical corticosteroid. I am to apply this twice a day to my red marks. I'm so excited that I'm treating the red marks now! Supposedly this Desonide Cream is very effective, and fast-acting.

Anyway, I think I'm going to quit with my Doxycycline Log. It's been made clear that this medication has helped me tremendously, though not 100%. Overall I am very happy with the progress that has been made. The cysts went away and did not come back. Hopefully they won't now that I'm switching the dosage. I've also decided I'm not doing a Desonide Log because monitoring the severity of red marks is much more difficult than just counting pimples.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to send a message at any time.