8 replies to this topic

[Yankid]

Hi,

Im a 22 years old Singaporean, Chinese guy, and I am applying Differin Gel 0.1%. I hope to keep a log so as to better understand myself, and hope it helps anyone who want to be understood what they are going through.

For 21 years, my skin had pretty much been clear, probably 1 pimple every week, that would be gone in a few days. Occasionally 1 big pimple with pus, but usually I'll pop it it'll recover in 2 weeks.

This is the History, you can skip it if you want.

To summarize - Its the 2nd time im using differin, and its been 2 weeks since I've used differin for the 2nd time.

BUT one fine day~~~~

2011 Jan week 1 - One big gigantic (And i mean HUGE) pimple on my clear face. I got so disgusted, i popped it. And it all started......

Jan week 2 - One big scar, but still looked alright

Jan week 3 - THREE GIGANTIC pimples with pus. I tried to be patient but I still popped it. Sigh...

Mar - Over 10 BIG SCARS on my face. I was convinced by my mum to go for facial extraction (Big big big mistake)

April - Over 15 BIG SCARS and over 10 small scars, more than 10 swollen inflamed wound from extraction. Finally gave up on
facial, went to derm for professional help.
I was prescribed Doxycycline 100mg/g (very high dosage), Differin 0.1%, PanOxyl 2.5%, and anti-bacterial wash (forgot
the name)

May - Jun - Had a lot of ups and downs, but cant really remember (which is why Im writing the log now)

July - Almost completely clear skin, except for redness on my cheeks, but only one pimple at the bottom of my chin, nobody
could see that. I also noticed most scars were not noticeable. I flew to Brisbane for my bachelors. It was winter time,
super dry and cold, I didnt put moisturizer or anything. (Damn was I an idiot) My skin was peeling and peeling and peeling
Was still continuing Differin and Doxycycline

Aug - Went to doctor to get prescription for doxycycline and differin (doxycycline dosage reduced by 50%) Face started to grow a
few pimples. I was not happy but was still kinda smooth. I was (stupidly) convinced that it was because I was too
dependable on doxycycline and differin. So I stopped completely.

Sep week 1 - Had a few small pimples. Started applying QV moisturizer (really good for very sensitive skin)

Sep week 3 - Had a few big pimples and a few more small pimples, started applying a thick thick layer of QV moisturizer every night

Oct Week 1 - Big pimples plus small pimples. I got annoyed and I (STUPIDLY) applied BENZAC benzoyl peroxide 5%. My whole face
was burnt like ****. Had to walk around like a burnt victim.

SO HERE I STARTED USING DIFFERIN AGAIN!!!

From here forth, its my Differin log. I am only using Differin 0.1% and nothing else. I have started for 2 weeks

Day 0 - Had 2 big pimples, few small pimples and could feel some growing out (Alright)

Day 2 - 3 big pimples no pus, 5 small bumpy pimples. I could feel some pimples gonna grow out (Fuck me)

Day 5 - 2 big pimples no pus, 7 small bumpy pimples no pus (Fuck me harder)

Day 8 - Looks clearer than a few days before (Nice fuck.. not too bad)

Day 11 - Got worse. 3 big pimples with pus (2 on cheeks, 1 on chin), 1 big pimple no pus under chin , 2 small pimples with pus.
(Fuck my life)

Day 16 - 2 big pimples (under chin, 1 growing out beside nose), 1 medium pimple on nose. *Quite a lot of scars. (Damn)




Observations on initial breakout.
First major wave of pimples (from Day 2) were bumpy, no pus, many of big medium and small
Second wave of pimples (from day 11) were pus filled. Less of small pimples, more of big pimples

I put QV night cream 15 min after applying differin. I do not get redness as much unlike the last time. I hope its working

[gems2889]

welcome my story a bit smiliar to urs I hate the Ib. ill keep an eye on ur log hugs

[Yankid]

Update

Day 20

1 pretty big pimple way up on the forehead, and a few very small, invisible bumps on the forehead

Until now, I do not have any redness.. QV moisturizer is really very gentle

Note: Its very weird, I never have pimples on my forehead.. It seems like the pimples are spreading from inner side towards outer side of the face

Face has some red scars.


Day 23

Pimples on forehead are all gone.

1 small red bump on the cheek, but feels like its growth has stopped halfway. Other than that, no new pimples

Face still has some red scars. Seems like the older red scars are now less prominent



Overall, my initial growth has stopped after 2 weeks (thank god)

Now will keep using it while I look for solutions for my red scars

Hope u'll get better gems2889 =)

Edited by Yankid, 06 November 2011 - 03:36 AM.

[Yankid]

WEEK 4 Update

My Initial Breakout wasn't over yet.. I thought I was lucky

Since Monday, I had 5 small bumps on my right cheek that grew pus 3 days later

5 days later and 2 white heads (on white cheeks) are not gone yet, and another 2 white heads grew on my left cheeks

Most importantly, there are ugly red scars

I realize that putting on a layer of extremely gentle moisturizer for the whole day reduces the redness a little bit.. But a little is not enough




My observations for week 4

The pimples are kinda small and bumpy, but painless (almost)
The weird thing is that the pimples grew on the scars I had from week 2

Maybe they didnt all come out on week 2? hmmmm

And I also noticed that my face is less red when I wake up (and immediately ran to the mirror)

I hope week 5 will be better

[Yankid]

Week 5 Update

Only 2 significant pimples with pus that cleared up quite fast.

However they left red marks, plus the other past red marks

The red marks seem to be recovering about 3 to 10% every week

Still not good enough =\

[Yankid]

Week 6 update

Had 3 medium big pimples... Regrettably I can't control myself.. I popped them

Anyway I had been taking zinc supplements and using aspirin mask once a week for the past 2 weeks.. The red marks are fading off faster.. Quite happy about that =)

But I dun think it helps with the scar though

[Yankid]

Week 7 Update

I had an outbreak, caused PIH scar on my left side, and there was a very big one..

Just when I thought I was recovering..

I just saw Dan's Regimens, I saw that we should not use any cleanser with Sodium Laureth Sulfate cuz it will break down our skin's protective barrier.. Which means i gotta throw away my cleanser

Pimple last 3 days, scar last 3 months, or even more.. Damn this is so discouraging.. Really feel f*** up right now

[gems2889]

Hey cheer up we are all going through the samething . its a bitch of a treatment excuse my language but its worth it....

[Yankid]

Thank you. It's just that sometimes it can really be a pain in the ass. The scars can last so long

I just realize something. my skin recovers very slow when I applied moisturizer on top of differin.

I have been applying differin without moisturizer, and my red spots are recovering better than then past 2 weeks

Week 8 update

Had one big red bump and few small red bumps over the week. No heads.