4 replies to this topic

[emilyineht]

I finally got an appointment to see the dermatologist. I have never gone to one before because my skin has been pretty healthy. I have had little break-outs before around my nose and chin but they would clear up in a few days. Since the beginning of this month I have broken out, some days worse than others. I have acne on my cheeks and around my chin. They're red and inflamed and a few whiteheads. I bought Proactiv because I believe it would help, but it only made it worse and a lot more noticable. So I stopped using that. I went back to using Clean&Clear Daily Pore Cleanser, Benzoyl Peroxide, and a moisturizer. It seemed to help a little, but I still see no clearing up at all. I've been back on this routine for two weeks now. It was really bad yesterday but seemed to calm down a little today.  1.jpg   103.52K   1 downloads  3.jpg   121.92K   0 downloads  5.jpg   115.82K   0 downloads The pictures are bad quality, but at least you get the idea. I went to my dermatologist and she assumed that my skin is sensitive to Benzoyl Peroxide since I told her Proactive burned my skin. However, I've been using Benzoyl Peroxide for two years now and have responded well to it. Anyways, she told me to get Differin gel and she gave me samples. I'm not sure if I want to try it. I've used many acne products through-out my years and I know that some (such as Proactiv) can make your skin worse. I'm afraid to try it because my skin is not sensitive to Benzoyl Peroxide... I'd rather stick with it because it has helped in the past. I also see that she prescribed Clindamycin lotion, I'm not sure what that is either. Should I listen to her and try it? Or just stick to my routine and hopefully results will show soon.

[Sluijs]

Hee Emily,

This is the regime my dermatologist prescribed me:

morning:
- wash your face
- apply benzyol perioxide
- apply moisturizer
- apply SPF

Evening:
- wash your face
- apply moisturizer

Morning:
- wash your face
- apply moisturizer
- apply SPF

Evening:
- wash your face
- apply differin
- apply moisturizer

So as you can see, a combination of differin and benzyol perioxide, but use each of those at different times a day and each other day. And if you feel that your skin needs rest, give it rest. I can totally understand your frustration, I am at the same point and I am getting a laser treatment and a IPL treatment both combined with a peeling, at my problem area which is around the mounth.

What the differin does for me, well yeah as I have used it only three days, I think I can not say to much, but in overal as I try to not touch my imflamed pimples they dry out and fall off quicker because of the differin. But I only use a small amount, to prevent my skin from getting irritated.

Try to think positive, and imagine yourself getting clear, and be consistent with your regime!

Goodluck!

[cvd]

I'm so sorry you are having a flare-up! Your skin doesn't look that bad. Hang in there...this may just be a fluke hormone problem, and if so it'll calm down and go away. But regardless...

I would do what your dermatologist says. Follow her regime exactly. She needs you to do this so she can evaluate how your skin responds. If she says you may be sensitive to BP then I would listen! I used BP (including Proactive) for years and became sensitive to it.

I would stop using Clean and Clear Daily Pore Cleanser. It has microscrubbers and Sodium Laurel Sulfate in it...both of which will make inflamed acne worse...or will keep the inflammation going. Ask the derm what she recommends. Mine recommended Cetaphil Antibacterial Bar (no soap, no SLS, very mild and soothing).

Differin is a form of retin-a and very good for skin (topical vitamin A). This will open your pores, loosen up the plugs so they can come out and then will keep the pores clear. Use it just the way it says and don't use any other topical acne products with it. This is very important so the skin doesn't become irritated.

You may want to also make some diet changes...I'm sure you've heard it...avoid dairy, wheat, alcohol, sugary foods. This will help your skin and body to calm down. These foods cause inflammation and the release of hormones that aggrevate acne.

I hope this helps. I think it is especially hard for women to deal with acne. Media bombard us with ways to have clear skin (Proactive) and then we are bombarded with images of absolutely clear skin...which is actually not real.

[Sluijs]

I was wondering whether you have tryed Aleve during PMS or during your ovulation. Because I have noticed once I am ovulating or the week before my period I start breaking out all around my mouth and some suggested using Aleve during this week.

[sasch12]

emilyineht, on 27 January 2012 - 12:47 PM, said:

I finally got an appointment to see the dermatologist. I have never gone to one before because my skin has been pretty healthy. I have had little break-outs before around my nose and chin but they would clear up in a few days. Since the beginning of this month I have broken out, some days worse than others. I have acne on my cheeks and around my chin. They're red and inflamed and a few whiteheads. I bought Proactiv because I believe it would help, but it only made it worse and a lot more noticable. So I stopped using that. I went back to using Clean&Clear Daily Pore Cleanser, Benzoyl Peroxide, and a moisturizer. It seemed to help a little, but I still see no clearing up at all. I've been back on this routine for two weeks now. It was really bad yesterday but seemed to calm down a little today. 1.jpg 3.jpg 5.jpg The pictures are bad quality, but at least you get the idea. I went to my dermatologist and she assumed that my skin is sensitive to Benzoyl Peroxide since I told her Proactive burned my skin. However, I've been using Benzoyl Peroxide for two years now and have responded well to it. Anyways, she told me to get Differin gel and she gave me samples. I'm not sure if I want to try it. I've used many acne products through-out my years and I know that some (such as Proactiv) can make your skin worse. I'm afraid to try it because my skin is not sensitive to Benzoyl Peroxide... I'd rather stick with it because it has helped in the past. I also see that she prescribed Clindamycin lotion, I'm not sure what that is either. Should I listen to her and try it? Or just stick to my routine and hopefully results will show soon.

I definitely know what its like to stick with what you know but sometimes, change is good. Just so you know BP ages your skin so in the lon long long run, it may not be the bets option of that is something that is going to bother you later down the line. You may as well give Differin a try, especially since your acne is so mild. Give it 3 months -if you don't notice a change (it does get worse before it gets better), then go back and try to retinoid like tretinoin.

Also, a lot of people suggest looking into diet to see if that helps. I have been on my own skin journey for almost 3 months and it has been eh (this past week has been really sucky for me) but at the end of 3 months, i would feel confident in saying i gave it a good shot and cross it off my list before moving on to the next thing.

Good Luck!