13 replies to this topic

[stebo]

I am 38 years old and have had Acne in some form since I was 13.

I have been on everything OTC, Antibiotics amd RoAccutane. The Accutane treatment had good affect however following the treatment I started getting lots of whiteheads particularly after shaving. I switched to a Electric Razor which greatly improved things again as I am now able to shave everyday rather than twice a week. I would class my Acne as Mild but is always present, generally getting spots on my chin, above my top lip and more cystic type spots on my neck/jaw line. Sometimes I get a outbreak of whiteheads and generally go to my Doctor who will prescribe a short 1 week course of AntiBiotics (usually Tetrocycline) that works, but with normal spot activity returns within 2 weeks.

I have given Dan's Regimen a try and am currently on Day 5.

Being in the UK, getting hold of Dan's products isn't an option so have chosen OTC items. My main concern though is the Clinique Moisturiser I am using, is it good enough for the Regmen? certainly adding Jojoba has helped.

I currently have 2 spots and have noticed a difference already but I look like I have been on a Sunbed (tanned not necessarily red - but living in Scotland in Winter it is pretty noticeable)!. My skin a also very dry and flakey particulary the forehead and underneath eyes. Please could someone reasure me that this will improve!

[stebo]

DAY 11

Big, Big improvements.

Flakeyness and dryness has almost disapeared since I switched to Clean and Clear Truly Gentle Facewash and Olay Complete (Sensitive) 15 spf.

Skin is still red/darker with some irritation on my neck. No new spots for 2 days and just a few blemishes and red marks from older spots.

Doubled BP. Stings alot when I apply moisturiser mixed with Jojoba.

So far so good!

[stebo]

DAY 18

So far so good.

Increased BP and am using around 3 pea-sized amounts each time, sometimes a little more.

I have a strange outbreak of small spots/blemished either side of my nose just where the cheeks begin. Don't usually get any spots or pimples in this area. At first I thought it maybe a burn from upping the BP but a whitehead appeared this morning. I have maybe 5 or 6 but nothing major. I have not had any new spots form in the usual areas for over a week now and just have alot of red marks from old spots.

Dryness still under control.

Switched to a 2 blade razor as DK recommends (Wilkinson Sword Extra Sensitive 2, disposable). I will need to see how this goes as with my Electric Razor I can shave everyday (not as good a blade) but with a blade I can only shave 2 or 3 times per week. When I used to use a blade I would usually have a breakout of Whiteheads 1-2 days later especially above top lip and sides of chin.

The worst has been the itchiness round my neck even on areas I haven't applied BP. It is that bad, sometimes I feel as if I could just claw my skin off!. Have cut my nails right down to try and help. I think maybe it was because I was putting moisturising cream on my lower neck to help in an area that isn't used to having cream applied.

I have done a fair bit of exercise too last week including a run at lunchtime and followed DK's advice about just patting the face dry rather than washing it afterwards, although I did have a shower. Most of my exercise is done first thing in the morning and just do the Regimen after.

[stebo]

DAY 20

Things not so good. The spots/blmishes on my cheeks has got worse to the point where my skin hasn't been this bad for years. I look liike I have freckles on my face only red.

This is only my cheeks and along cheek bone though - I never get spots on my cheeks and generally only on the areas where I shave (which is still clear).

Is this some kind of "Purge"?

The spots are not big or raised or puss filled, although a few have had small whiteheads.

Have booked an appointment for Friday Morning to see my Doctor so we will see what happens. Perhaps The Regimen and an AntiBiotic will work better for me at this stage.

[Manticore]

Before seeing your doctor, why not wait a few more weeks to see if Dan's regimen is going to work? You are only on day 20. I would wait at least 8 weeks before trying any other treatments.

[stebo]

Day 25

Was prescribed Lymecycline by the Doctor and given a 1 month supply (1 a day).

Still continuing with the Regimen but realise it will be difficult to know if the Regimen or the Lymecycline are helping. At least it is only for 1 month.

Sorry Manticore, only just seen your message.

Face is improved and the number of spots has reduced but some still there. I have only had 2 new proper spots over the last few days, but at its worse I had about 20 of these new red spots/blemishes on my cheeks.

My face is very red especially after I put on moisuriser and takes a while to calm down.

Has anyone actually used a full finger length of PanOxl, it is extremly harsh?

[squares]

Hey I was prescribed Lymecycline for 2 months and I started to take them on the same day as I started the regimen. I really think the BP was doing all of the work tbh! Let me know how you get on! I advise you gulp down the water lol it taste horrible otherwise! With loads of water you won't taste a thing Also it says something about being ineffective with dairy have a read of the effects (just something to bare in mind)

Best of luck!

Edited by squares, 04 April 2011 - 03:17 PM.

[stebo]

Thanks squares - I did not know about the dairy thing and have just started using Whey Protein in the morning before going to gym.

Think I will switch to taking Lymecycline before bed at around 10 p.m. That way it won't interfere with breakfast or the most important thing, "coffee" in the morning. May start to look at Soya milk.

Have also ordered Dan's BP and AHA today too.

[squares]

I switched to Soya Milk, I prefer it now tbh. And you can get "Pure" butter from ASDA which is also a good substitute for regular cow's milk butter.

Great! Dan's BP IS A LOT BETTER PanOxyl wasn't bad but too damn irritating. Definitely did the job the side effects were more harsh than with Dan's I switched after my 1st month. After almost a month with this Dan's I still have loads left. Also the AHA is GREAT wait until atleast a month until you begin using it!

[stebo]

What a difference a week makes.

Day 20 Photos - taken at morning 10 mins after getting out of shower (at its worst point)



Day 27 Photos - taken at midday, no active spots, just lots of red marks.



As I am making this log which will not only chart my progress but hopefully help someone else in my position I have decided to post a few pics. Didn't take any at the beginning, however my worst day so far (day 20) has been documented by way of a "beautiful" photo.

I also wanted to show how much of a difference a week can make on the Regimen (although I am currently on Antibiotics for 1 month too from Day 22).

Edited by stebo, 06 April 2011 - 05:04 AM.

[stebo]

6 WEEKS

Things have been going well. I had 1, what I would call, real spot at the side of my mouth but went away quickly. This was the first spot I have had and had to squeeze in weeks. Still having slight blotchyness on cheeks but no where near as bad as earlier on the Regimen.

It is really good to wet shave with a Razor without waking up to 10 whiteheads over the next 3 days. I have never ever been able to do this before!

Dans BP and AHA+ came yesterday - Had to pay £14 for VAT and Royal Mail Handling. It took 17 days to arrive, which was really good.

I have used the BP twice now and am impressed but am only using 1 pump at the moment. If this keeps things at bay for the next couple of weeks I will stick to that amount. I have only spot tested the AHA+ and so far so good.

Have a good Easter.

[stebo]

WEEK 8

I stopped taking Antibiotics over a week ago, I didn't complete the course, I had 2 or 3 left in the pack and was never sure that they were actually working.

I had 1 spot on my cheek last week which has left a red mark and I have a small blemish around that area this morning, nothing major though.

As I have said before it was the shaving that I felt was a massive factor in my bad skin and since I have been on the Regimen I have not once had the usual breakout of whiteheads. I can even shave everyday now with a blade, which was impossible before.

Oh and Dan's BP compared with Panoxyl is no contest - since I switched 2 weeks ago, the redness has calmed down and dryness isn't anywhere near as bad. I only use Jojoba as a shaving oil now mixed with my cleanser. AHA+ is good too although at the moment I cannot see it helping my red marks. Currently using 1 and a quarter pumps am and pm.

Switched to a Gillette Sensor Excel (2 Blade) Razor last night and boy what a difference - 2 small nicks instead of about 20!!! One of the best Shaves I have had in a long time - did a bit of research about shaving as this whole shaving with the grain just doesn't work for me.

Here are a few links that are quite interesting regarding shaving - obviously this would need to fit in with the Regimen and never be a rough as this guy is on his face and would never use any of additional products such as a balm, BP and Moisturiser are fine. There are more guides if you follow the links.

how-to-achieve-the-perfect-shave
cleansing-the-face
shaving-working-against-the-grain
shaving-the-neck
shave-correctly-avoid-razor-cuts

Since starting the Regimen I have only had 6 proper pimples and Whiteheads have disappeared from Day 1. The big problem was this break out at around week 3 which has now subsided and I believe this was some kind of purge on this area of my face as they were not like normal spots.

[stebo]

Week 12

I am currently regreting not doing the Regimen last Sunday. This is the first time I have skipped and to be honest wasn't feeling well and didn't even have a wash till around 6pm. Big mistake, feel like I am back to square one.

Ordered a 8oz BP from Acne.org - delivered in just over a week to the UK and I didn't have to pay any import or additional delivery charges. Thanks to Manticore for the tip on that one.

[stebo]

Week 12

I am currently regreting not doing the Regimen last Sunday. This is the first time I have skipped and to be honest wasn't feeling well and didn't even have a wash till around 6pm. Big mistake, feel like I am back to square one.

Ordered a 8oz BP from Acne.org - delivered in just over a week to the UK and I didn't have to pay any import or additional delivery charges. Thanks to Manticore for the tip on that one.