13 replies to this topic

[Blakenstein]

I have had moderate acne for the last 3-4 years. I have read through a few other peoples posts and along with most other people it has lowered my self-esteem. I try to realize that most people generally don't care about my acne and even notice it but it still keeps me in on a lot of weekends and prevents me from doing things that I want to. I have been on accutane and other programs in the past, and have done this regime lazily for a few months here and there. It generally tends to clear up during the summer (could be because of the sun) so in these pictures it looks better then it did a month ago.

I hope that my documenting my progress on this website I will be forced to stick to the regime as well I hope that I can eventually clear up because I have not had clear skin in years.

My current regime

Cetaphil Oily Skin cleanser

Acne.org BP treatment

L'Oreal - Ombrelle Face Cream SPF 30

I just ordered the full acne.org set so in a few weeks I will be using that cleanser and moisturizer.

I usually stop following the regime strictly because I hate doing it in the morning because it makes my skin red and is irritating. After reading a few other threads it is apparent that this is part of the process. I am starting with about 1 pump of BP and I am only going to use it once a day at night for the first week. I am also curious about this jojaba oil as I have seen in it a few other posts.

I workout frequently, sometimes twice a day, so I usually shower after each workout. I dont wash my face in the shower or anything but I am wondering if this is ok or what I should be doing. I sweat a lot so I have to shower after but it means I am sometimes showering 3 x a day. It also seems like a waste if I do the regime in the morning and then workout an hour later. Any advice?

If anybody has any comments or advice I would be happy to hear it, it would at least show me that someone is reading this lol. My goal is to be 100% clear by the end of the summer.

Pictures are after the regime and you cant notice as well but there is scarring on my neck from previous acne.

Day 1

Edited by Blakenstein, 28 May 2011 - 01:11 AM.

[Blakenstein]

Day 2

Same regime as before but for some reason my eyes were stinging for about 20 seconds after applying BP. A bit worried about that I will stay further away on my cheeks when I rub it in.

Skin is red and irritated, also a bit flaky. I hope that I see progress earlier than later otherwise it will be difficult to stay committed for months to come.

[averagejoe88]

Your face looks great mate, I couldn't imagine that ever getting so bad that you are in on weekends... but regardless I totally understand what you mean and if you can make it better why not give it a try! I had the same initial eye sting when applying BP, it has since passed to only a second here or there and I've only been on the regimen for a week and a half -- i'd imagine that sensation will pass entirely very soon.

Don't sleep on using jojoba oil if you have a problem with irritation, it is a miracle and only requires a few drops. Best of luck!

[Kairasa]

Hey there, just stopping in to say good luck and I'll stop in from time to time to see how you are doing. =) Your pictures honestly look great already, so just have some patience and you'll see results in no time! (remember to give it up to 3 months to fully begin to work).

[Blakenstein]

Your face looks great mate, I couldn't imagine that ever getting so bad that you are in on weekends... but regardless I totally understand what you mean and if you can make it better why not give it a try! I had the same initial eye sting when applying BP, it has since passed to only a second here or there and I've only been on the regimen for a week and a half -- i'd imagine that sensation will pass entirely very soon.

Don't sleep on using jojoba oil if you have a problem with irritation, it is a miracle and only requires a few drops. Best of luck!

Hey thanks and yeah I'm still pretty outgoing but I find that I drink a lot more so that I am less conscious. I take advantage of the liquid confidence haha. I saw your topic, and I would definitely try the regime before accutane. I jumped on accutane right away 3 years ago and it didn't work. My skin was super dry and was getting daily nosebleeds. But no enduring side effects that are with me today. I have also heard of lots of people who did well on the accutane too.

Ill definitely look into jojaba.

[Blakenstein]

Hey there, just stopping in to say good luck and I'll stop in from time to time to see how you are doing. =) Your pictures honestly look great already, so just have some patience and you'll see results in no time! (remember to give it up to 3 months to fully begin to work).

Hey! thanks for the support. Yeah as long as my skin adjusts and Im not red and dry all the time I might last 3 months

[accushame!]

if you have issues with dryness, dan's moisturizer probably won't work that great for you so make sure you invest in some jojoba oil or a more moisturizing lotion! keep it up you'll get great results.. and it doesn't hurt that your face isn't so bad to begin with! good luck =)

[tranceaddict]

Definitely get a better moisturizer than dan's. Get his jojoba oil and either cerave or cetaphil.

[Blakenstein]

Day 5

A little bit of progress but nothing much. Still waiting on the cleanser and moisturizer. I thought that Dan's moisturizer would be good but I will look to get some jojaba soon. Is that because of the new formula that the moisturizer isnt as good??? I would rather not order it online if I can get it from a store. My face is a bit redder then usual and generally pretty dry It will be difficult for me to start using BP twice a day and to use more.

will upload week 1 pictures when i get there. I have been comparing day to day pictures, but not a lot of change.

Thanks for the comments

Edited by Blakenstein, 31 May 2011 - 10:36 PM.

[Blakenstein]

WEEK 1

So far not a huge change. A bit has cleared up but there has also been new flare ups. I started applying BP twice a day now, my skin reacts better now. I am still waiting for the DKR cleanser and moisturizer. So far side effects aren't too bad and I don't mind the regime.

[Blakenstein]

MONTH 1

Been a long time since last posted. I am a month in now and the results are disappointing. It has controlled my acne a bit but there are still new zits coming in and my neck is worse now than when I started. I realize that I have not been using the full amount of treatment I used much less and I will start using the full 3 pumps from here on.

I am debating getting back on the accutane again. I will continue with the regime for a few more weeks and see what happens from there on.

Will post pictures soon

[northlincs4kylie]

Keep it up, I'm nearly 6 weeks into the Regimen and haven't seen huuuuge improvement yet, I think the first month or so is mainly about purging and getting used to the products

[halon2]

Stay on the regimen! It works, but you have to be patient. If you give up now and go back to accutane, you won't ever know if a topical would have worked.

It took me a couple months to see significant progress, and other people saw it before I did. Take lots of pictures and remind yourself that this battle will take awhile. It's worth sticking it out!

If you want some encouragement, read through my regimen log. The link is in my signature.

Good luck!

[Blakenstein]

5 WEEKS

Thanks for the support and i read your blog halon2 and it was very inspiring. I hope that I can experience such results as you did. the last week I have been doing the regime with 2 pumps of BP and I have noticed significant changes. I hope that if I continue this for the rest of July then there will be some good changes. I am definitely not going to rush into taking Accutane. I am going to order new batch soon, thinking about getting AHA and jojaba oil.