9 replies to this topic

[DarkBluePhase]

Hello, I am new to Acne.org and wanted to inform everyone of my regimen and progress till my acne is cleared!

I've always had acne, but not horrific until Dec 2009. I'm not sure what caused it-- could have been the really bad breakup I went through or just the amount of makeup I was using, or maybe even hormones. Anyway, it had gotten so bad that it was really detrimental to my emotional well being. I did not want to be around anyone or do anything. I hated my face. So I went to the derm and he prescribed me 500 mg of Tetra, Epiduo gel, and Cetaphil moisturizer, along with regular Dove soap as a cleanser. In the beginning, my acne definitely got worse, but I would say by a soild month I was seeing fantastic results.

I was on the regimen for about 2 months till my acne was 95% clear other than the scarring. I had never been happier.

Now it's August 2011 and my acne has come back, not as bad, but still pretty bad where it's effecting my life. Not sure the cause of it, but it's back. Luckily, since I've been through this before I know to catch it before it gets too bad. So I went to the Doc and asked to be put back on the Tetra.

So here I am, about a week into it, and my acne is flaring up again. I am not surprised, but it is still very frustrating. I'm hoping it gets better within the next week or so. Also, I just called the Doc and asked to be put back on the Epiduo as well just for the extra help. But right not I am just using Noxema to get the dirt/makeup off and Clean & Clear 10& BP cream.

I'm also posting up some pics so you guys can see the acne I have, and so I can document my progress.
 Photo_on_2011_08_24_at_11.12__2.jpg   70.61K   26 downloads
 Photo_on_2011_08_24_at_11.18.jpg   36.86K   30 downloads
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[DarkBluePhase]

Also-- do you guys think this is mild, moderate, semi-severe? How long will it take to clear this, and would I benefit from 500 mg of Tetra instead of just 250 once a day? Thank you!

[DarkBluePhase]

Here is a pic of my skin today. I think it has gotten somewhat better. The right side is less broken out than the left for some reason! Starting Epiduo tonight as well.

 Photo_on_2011_08_25_at_15.07.jpg   69.29K   35 downloads
 Photo_on_2011_08_25_at_15.12.jpg   57.21K   22 downloads

[DarkBluePhase]

updated pics! still no Epiduo gel, and 250 mg. Started Biore Ice Cleanser and like it so far! this is with makeup btw.  Photo_on_2011_08_27_at_14.46__4.jpg   70.27K   18 downloads
 Photo_on_2011_08_27_at_14.46.jpg   69.88K   23 downloads  Photo_on_2011_08_27_at_14.45__3.jpg   61.85K   21 downloads

[Timehealsall]

mildy moderate imho.

[DarkBluePhase]

Okay, so I must say my acne is about 70% gone all over my face! So glad I did not take the 500 mg! Also, I haven't even started the Epiduo yet, just because I'm kinda scared it will make me break out even more. What do you guys think I should do? Ok, I'm going to post my pics w/o makeup..and it might look like there were no improvements because there's still a lot of red marks/scarring from the pimples that were there. The right side of my face is about 85% clear, and the left is about 65/70% clear. Also, if you see a little white dot on my face, that's where I put some BP on a pimple before I went to bed last night! (Works like a charm).

 Photo_on_2011_08_31_at_07.23__4.jpg   59.82K   24 downloads
 Photo_on_2011_08_31_at_07.23__2.jpg   66.41K   19 downloads

[DarkBluePhase]

Okay...soo I started using Epiduo about 3 days ago, and my face is breaking out. SO. BAD. like not just a little pimple..they're like huge EVERYWHERE. I know this stuff does this to you..but I didn't think this bad. Especially since I've been on this before. And the worst part is..I'm starting college at my new school, and classes start tomorrow. It's literally so embarrassing. Especially since my face JUST started to clear up this is sooo depressing, and I'm so discouraged. I guess I'm gonna keep using it in hopes that my face will clear up.

I'll let you know what happens..I'm gonna try to have a positive attitude at least. It's the only thing I can do :/

[DarkBluePhase]

Acne is the worst it's been since I started. Big pustules all over my face, especially on the right side, which used to be the clearest. I DEF contribute this to the Epiduo because it's known to break you out first. I will update again when it gets better, but it's been a week of using and it just started kicking in I think.

I hate wearing so much makeup, this sucks!

[DarkBluePhase]

Okay..so I've been on Epiduo for about 20 days now, and Tetra for a little over a month..and I am STILL breaking out. Not as bad by many means, but there are still about 8 active pimples on my face. Some are big, too! I thought I would be clear by now..but now. I still have to put on about 10 pounds of makeup for you to not notice that my skin is HORRIFIC. What is worse now too, is that the scarring is just as red and gross as the actual pimples that were there! But hell, I'll take the scarring over the acne any day. At least it's easier to cover up!

I'm gonna give this another month, and if I'm not acne-free by then, I'm going to the derm.

Ugh

[jhonyguy04]

That's why Iam so scared about retinoids including accutane. Iam scared of the initial breakout. Hopefully I wont have to get accutna.e