Absorption of BP

I've been on the DKR for about one month at less than one pump BP in the AM, and full 2 pumps of BP at night.

In the past 2 days, it seems like the two pumps of BP I apply at night absorbs faster.

It now takes less time to get an even application over the skin. Usually it takes about 5-7 minutes, now it takes about 4.

Also, it normally it takes about 15-20 minutes to absorb (absorb meaning skin feels dry rather than slick with BP) now it takes about 8-10.

No changes have been made to dosage, application method (one finger gliding on either side of face, either at motion the same time, or one side at a time with one finger), or waiting time after washing. No product changes or other application changes.

Skin feels about the same as the past few weeks in terms of quality (tone, texture, etc.) If anything, there is maybe 10% more pink hue, no flaking as usual, and same general status of acne/red mark clearing.

Is BP absorbing faster or more completely?

Anyone notice the BP absorbs a lot faster after being on the DKR a certain amount of time?

Introduction

Greetings all. I thought it would be most appropriate to start here for my first post, but have been tempted to post in a variety of other threads. This forum seems like a very good place to be, and I am glad to have found it.

History:
Dan's Regimen: I discovered DKR several years ago, but didn't decide to use it as described, or with Dan's products until about 3 weeks ago.
Skin type: Generally oily and sensitive. Dryness happens but tends to come and go quickly depending upon current treatment and practices.
Acne type and severity: Moderate overall. Acne began around age 13, puberty began about age 15. Acne was generally mild from 13-17, consisting mainly of occassional breakouts of 1-3 pustules, and maybe a cyst every other month that would last a while. Usually didn't have more than 3 active spots at any given time during this period of time and skin type/quality was generally normal to lightly oily. Acne became moderate to severe at age 17 and continued to increase in severity until age 20 when it was quite severe, close to accutane level. During these 3 years, acne consisted of at least 3 active cysts (mostly in the goatee area), 1-3 nodules, 5-10 active papules and pustules, 10 or more other spots in various stages of healing, such as scabs and red marks, numerous comedones and blackheads, and minimal yet present scarring. Treatments (to be mentioned below) brought acne to mild to moderate levels from age 21 to present, age 29. Currently acne is mild/moderate with one nodule, 2 healing cysts, 2 active pustules, 2-3 healing red marks, several comedones, and mild blackeads.

Treatments/Outcomes: Like many here, I have tried many many treatments. Before age 21, I had tried most formulations and dosages of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. I was pretty diligant with application and following regimens as directed, but tended to get frustrated and add or remove variables with some frequency, maybe one change every few months. Sometimes I would be using simply a SA wash and spot treat with SA or BP, other times I would use a non-medicated wash and treat the whole face with a leave on SA or BP. Numerous combinations and methods were tried, some more effective than others, but all only barely controlling acne, mostly just showing brief and minimal improvements that were immediately followed by worsening.

I saw a dermatologist once at age 20 and she recommended Neutrogena SA wash and Rx'd tetracycline. I didn't use the SA wash because I had tried it before. The tetracycline helped a little bit and I continued experimenting with other OTC regimens such as Proactiv, which actually helped after using it for a few months, bringing acne from moderate-severe to mild-moderate with significant flaking. After having a noticable difference with Proactiv, I adjusted the regimen a variety of ways such as only using the BP lotion a few times a week, and using the wash and toner only twice a day, etc. When I stopped using Proactiv, acne remained about mild-moderate. I used various maintenance treatments that kept acne in the mild-moderate range with regular breakouts, but general control. When I experiemented with very minimalist treatment (using only water, spot treating only, etc) things gradually got severe again within a few months prompting another dermatology visit.

Tazorac and minocycline were prescribed and Panoxyl 5% bar was given for back acne and Purpose bar for face. Acne went from severe to moderate-severe in about a month. The derm said something like "I didn't expect to see such an improvement, you were pretty close to needing accutane." I continued the regimen described above fairly regularly which brought acne back to mild-moderate within about 6 months. I stopped the Tazorac on my own and continued with Panoxyl 10% bar for face and back as a form of maintenance. Acne continued to very gradually improve to various levels in the mild to moderate range, with regular breakouts, but nothing as terrible as before, and controlled enough that I wasn't always thinking about my face.

My most recent regimen has been Clearasil SA scrub (I know, scrubs can be bad) which seemed to help and 10% Zapzyt gel all over face at night about 4 times a week. This had kept acne in the mild-moderate range, reasonably controlled, but breakouts continued and my skin hasn't ever really been clear. The best it has been is maybe 5 persistent red marks that are easily covered by concealer, and 1-3 active spots. I haven't really ever looked like I had clear skin.

BP has helped the most of all the OTC treatments and I wanted to fully use BP instead of just randomly a few times a week as I had been with Zapzyt. I wanted to see what would happen if I REALLY stuck to a regimen, without changing it after 6 months. I have the hope that I would then finally, after all these years, be able to see a completely clear face in the mirror. Until recently, I have been satisfied with having somewhat well controlled acne and a really lax and inconsistent regimen. Now I want to actually have clear skin. That is why I started DKR about 3 weeks ago.

Current Regimen:
Morning:
Dan's cleanser
Shave with Aveeno shave cream and Sensor Excel
Dan's BP (almost one full pump)
Dan's moisturizer
Night:
Dan's cleanser
Dan's BP (two full pumps, extra on active areas)

Back:
Dan's cleanser in shower once daily.
Two pumps Dan's BP at night only.

Neck:
Dan's cleanser AM and PM.
Spot treat with Dan's BP.
(I have a a few areas on the neck that have been breaking out lately, and want to work on clearing the existing comedones. Plan to start twice daily Dan's SA+ when it arrives. I would use the BP, but too much irritation for my neck.)

Beard area:
(I wear a goatee. It thankfully covers a very acne/cyst-prone area, but I still try to prevent/treat acne there. I wish I could use DKR there, but as we know, BP bleaches hair.)
3 sprays Organic Root Stimulator Tea Tree Anti-Bump spray AM and PM. It contains SA in addition to Tea Tree oil, but the % of each is not listed. Seems to be working OK. I intend to try Dan's SA+ in the goatee area to prevent and treat.

Results:
So far I am very pleased with the results and with the quality of the products. I was able to start with pretty much the full dosage because I had been using 10% quite a bit without much dryness or irritation. I use just about one pump in the AM because it takes less time to absorb. No significant dryness or irritation, some very mild whole-face pinkness that is subsiding. Significant initial breakout that is subsiding, although I suspect other purging may occur within the upcoming weeks.

Conclusion:

Finally, I end this extensive introduction! Thanks for taking the time to read a little about me and my story. I know the hell that is acne and I am glad this place exists. I am also grateful to Dan for sharing his regimen and creating these products for those who suffer with this terrible condition. I hope to share my progress here, but also help others with support in any way I can.

Kind Regards,

D