62 replies to this topic

[Eva2202]

Susan,

Any updates??? I've been following your log as I am about a month behind you and its hard finding people on here who are from the UK. It sucks as all the products being talked about aren't available here and I have no idea what to put on my face, I have a total arsenal of products but no clue! Lol.


How was Scotland? I come from Glasgow, you enjoy the hot weather?

Anyway rooting for you!

Eva

[nukelle]

I wish u luck with your treatment , Susanliu

btw i got to say something i think u have gorgeous face girl..

[susanliu]

Ahhh so sorry about not updating... I'm just terrible with this kind of stuff.

Eva - Scotland was awesome, just as I remembered it, but I got so many midge bites it looked like acne on my arms and.. it scarred for ages. The last ones have only just faded!Nukelle -

Nukelle - thank you for that, it's very sweet of you, definitely made my day

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ANYWAY, UPDATE (if you're still interested) here:




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Also, my course has now finished - it's been nearly two months since my last pill, so I had only a 5-month course.

[Ham84]

I know you! I saw you on youtube. I didn't know you're active on this forum as well.

You're such a sweet looking and beautiful girl. I'm happy your skin is clear now.

[susanliu]

Haha, small world, right? It's almost like a given - when I had acne I just wanted to find out every potential cure I could for it, so of course, that included this site

That's a lovely thing to say, though, thank you - I wish you the best with your scarring too, let me know if you find anything that works!

[susanliu]

Final progress timeline - short summary in pictures. Thought I'd post it here too, in case anyone wondered. I'll post some current pics later on too.

[PaulH85]

Awesome! Well done!

[Ham84]

Final progress timeline - short summary in pictures. Thought I'd post it here too, in case anyone wondered. I'll post some current pics later on too.

Looks like all the red marks are gone as well. No scarring. Bravo! Love the Zhou Jie Lun music.

Edited by Ham84, 18 December 2011 - 03:12 PM.

[THIShasGOTtoBEaJOKE]

WOW what an amazing transformation! you were super pretty even with the acne...but without it, your features are so much more prominent =) Very niceeeee, so happy for you!

Question, when did you see your red marks start fading? It's evident in the picture timeline that they started vanishing around month 3 or 4 but like you said, its different in person compared to what the camera picks up ( or something along those lines haha) When did you start seeing a more even skin tone? Thats my major problem now =/ I'm on month 3 and still breaking out and my red marks are so demoralizing

[Glidden]

Final progress timeline - short summary in pictures. Thought I'd post it here too, in case anyone wondered. I'll post some current pics later on too.

Amazing! You must be over the moon!

Gives us hope- especially with the red marks and bumps- i just have to be patient! I'm glad to be getting the treatment on the NHS!

[susanliu]

Awesome! Well done!

Thanks Paul ))

Final progress timeline - short summary in pictures. Thought I'd post it here too, in case anyone wondered. I'll post some current pics later on too.

Looks like all the red marks are gone as well. No scarring. Bravo! Love the Zhou Jie Lun music.

Haha, glad you picked up on it. The timing of the music surprisingly matched the video perfectly.

WOW what an amazing transformation! you were super pretty even with the acne...but without it, your features are so much more prominent =) Very niceeeee, so happy for you!

Question, when did you see your red marks start fading? It's evident in the picture timeline that they started vanishing around month 3 or 4 but like you said, its different in person compared to what the camera picks up ( or something along those lines haha) When did you start seeing a more even skin tone? Thats my major problem now =/ I'm on month 3 and still breaking out and my red marks are so demoralizing

That's so sweet of you to think that, but really, I had like zero self-esteem and I'm only just getting used to not worry about my face. Like, I had a mini-cluster on my forehead of those little tiny skin-coloured bumps the day before yesterday and I can't tell you how much I was freaking out about them :S LUCKILY they went away in a day, and my forehead is back to being smooth.

But yes about the red marks - my freshest ones started fading pretty quickly but I think, like you said, the semi-red/brown ones really started going at month 4. Don't worry about it, it'll all come in time, patience But no, I still had minor breakouts i month 4 as well, and I think as long as the acne stops, the skin is going to be able to start healing again, so you should see results soon. Try not to concentrate on them so much, it's always the case that we see ourselves in a much harsher light than others, and trust me, they WILL fade.

I still have some on my cheeks/mouth, they're really faint, but they will take a long ass time to go, because they're so old and whilst you can't really see it on the video/camera, I do have some permanent scarring - shallow pitting/rolling scars - which will never go away and will be reminder.. so look on the brightside.
Whilst you're on accutane I wouldn't try anything apart from sunscreen, but you can try honey masks and Lika papaya whitening soap.

I used that stuff once a week to 'exfoliate'. Basically, don't use scrubs, take some of the lather and leave it on your skin for a minute or two, wash off thoroughly, then gently rub on your skin and you get these rubbings (sounds gross but it's really effective and the gentlest way of removing dead skin). And since you're not using it too often, you don't really notice whitening of the skin. Just follow with moisturizer and do this at night and you get perfectly glowing skin (baby smooth too).

I'll try and get some pictures of my skin tomorrow, when there's light so you can see what it really looks like. Don't get me wrong, accutane is amazing and changed a lot, but it's not the end, and your skin is still healing well after, so just hang in there for a while more.

Final progress timeline - short summary in pictures. Thought I'd post it here too, in case anyone wondered. I'll post some current pics later on too.

Amazing! You must be over the moon!

Gives us hope- especially with the red marks and bumps- i just have to be patient! I'm glad to be getting the treatment on the NHS!

Definitely - NHS was great, once I actually started - but prior, it was just a heck of an annoying waiting game. Switched GP like 3 times just to get a referral and then had to wait months for an appointment/waiting list to go down. Then get the ok with the Dr, bloods and stuff, and FINALLY get treated by the Nurse I saw each month.

My post 2-month appointment is due on the 28th, I'm secretly super happy my acne hasn't come back, but I do miss having to never, ever wash my hair because it never got greasy. (Not the awful dandruff/scabs though :S) And I'm kinda partial to slapping on the moisturiser and having glowy skin, can't do that anymore either since I'll become an oil slick

[PaulH85]

NHS was great, once I actually started - but prior, it was just a heck of an annoying waiting game. Switched GP like 3 times just to get a referral and then had to wait months for an appointment/waiting list to go down. Then get the ok with the Dr, bloods and stuff, and FINALLY get treated by the Nurse I saw each month.

That's interesting to hear. Credit to you for sticking with it and making sure you got what you wanted. How did the first two GP's respond to your requests?
When I asked about Accutane, my doctor said that he wouldn't refer me as the dermatologists in Sheffield only see people regarding Accutane if their acne is severe and cystic. He also said that the fact my skin responds to other treatments - regardless of whether the acne comes back afterwards - means they'd never see me. I don't know how true that is but all the other GP's at the practice said the same. I kind of gave up at that point and went away with yet another prescription of Doxycycline.
Even though my acne's usually mild now, I'm fed up of how my skin changes and still breaks out even after thirteen years. I'd just rather feel it was normal like everyone else I see. I told the doctors about the negative impact it has on my life and my confidence and so on but that didn't seem to carry much weight at all. I'm sure that if I were in the States, I'd have been able to get it years ago, easily.

Edited by PaulH85, 21 December 2011 - 02:02 PM.

[Glidden]

NHS was great, once I actually started - but prior, it was just a heck of an annoying waiting game. Switched GP like 3 times just to get a referral and then had to wait months for an appointment/waiting list to go down. Then get the ok with the Dr, bloods and stuff, and FINALLY get treated by the Nurse I saw each month.

That's interesting to hear. Credit to you for sticking with it and making sure you got what you wanted. How did the first two GP's respond to your requests?
When I asked about Accutane, my doctor said that he wouldn't refer me as the dermatologists in Sheffield only see people regarding Accutane if their acne is severe and cystic. He also said that the fact my skin responds to other treatments - regardless of whether the acne comes back afterwards - means they'd never see me. I don't know how true that is but all the other GP's at the practice said the same. I kind of gave up at that point and went away with yet another prescription of Doxycycline.
Even though my acne's usually mild now, I'm fed up of how my skin changes and still breaks out even after thirteen years. I'd just rather feel it was normal like everyone else I see. I told the doctors about the negative impact it has on my life and my confidence and so on but that didn't seem to carry much weight at all. I'm sure that if I were in the States, I'd have been able to get it years ago, easily.

Paul, the doctors cannot refuse you a referral- with the whole nhs choices system they want to give patients power. You should ask your gp to refer you and tell them you accept the risk of being turned away. Personally, i would try a change of gp also. And explaining how it effects your daily life/confidence will have a standing, rather than just the way it loOks.

I was referred to the dermatolgist the first time for something unrelated. I didnt even consider my acne a problem but she offered to treat it. I tried alot of treatments, none reAlly worked long term- and she eventually offered roaccutane. I didnt think it was too bad and didnt want the side effects.

6+ years later, after a change in gp - i was ready for accutane and was ready for a re-referral. I started accutane about 2months after visiting my new gp (nhs waiting lists).

How bad is your acne? If you have tried everything else they will be less reluctant to give accutane a try.

Keep trying for a referral - change gp if need be.

[PaulH85]

Thanks for the advice, Glidden.
When I asked about Accutane - on the basis that I was still breaking out at 26 after 13 years of trying various antibiotics and topicals to treat mild to moderate acne - my GP said he wouldn't write the referral because the dermatologists wouldn't see me anyway unless my acne was severe and cycstic. The other doctors at the practice echoed that verdict.

Between my diet changes, supplement intake, Doxy, and trying to avoid picking as much as possible, I'm doing pretty well these days. just keep getting a few pimples here and there, and I've a few marks and pigmentation. There's a picture from earlier this week in my latest blog entry which you can see via my profile. My skin isn't quite as good right now but if it carries on in a similar vain, I'd struggle to justify Accutane at all because by comparison, the Accutane would make things so much worse before they got better. It might be a different story when I come off the Doxy in about ten weeks time. Last time I finished a course of antibiotics, I had the second worst breakout I've had in all those years and it lasted for almost a month. Depending on what happens post-Doxy, I might have to go back, at which point I would push again for Accutane in order to fic it once and for all. I didn't know any better regarding the referral situation but I guess I do now so thanks for that. It may well be that diet and supplements are enough to keep things going well post-Doxy, I'll just have to wait and see.

Edited by PaulH85, 22 December 2011 - 06:10 PM.

[Hopeful*]

Awwww. I seen the vid you posted of you on youtube! I am soo Glad that the accutane has worked so great for you! You are very pretty and have a nice smile!

[Again!]

You look so good and your results are just amazing. =)

[Glidden]

Thanks for the advice, Glidden.
When I asked about Accutane - on the basis that I was still breaking out at 26 after 13 years of trying various antibiotics and topicals to treat mild to moderate acne - my GP said he wouldn't write the referral because the dermatologists wouldn't see me anyway unless my acne was severe and cycstic. The other doctors at the practice echoed that verdict.

Between my diet changes, supplement intake, Doxy, and trying to avoid picking as much as possible, I'm doing pretty well these days. just keep getting a few pimples here and there, and I've a few marks and pigmentation. There's a picture from earlier this week in my latest blog entry which you can see via my profile. My skin isn't quite as good right now but if it carries on in a similar vain, I'd struggle to justify Accutane at all because by comparison, the Accutane would make things so much worse before they got better. It might be a different story when I come off the Doxy in about ten weeks time. Last time I finished a course of antibiotics, I had the second worst breakout I've had in all those years and it lasted for almost a month. Depending on what happens post-Doxy, I might have to go back, at which point I would push again for Accutane in order to fic it once and for all. I didn't know any better regarding the referral situation but I guess I do now so thanks for that. It may well be that diet and supplements are enough to keep things going well post-Doxy, I'll just have to wait and see.

Also, i wouldnt even mention accutane to the gp. Just request a referral to thr dermatologist (if you get another breakout or things get worse), explain you want to see a specialist about your condition which the gp is not being able to treat. They cant refuse you a specialist opinion on your acne. THEN the accutane will depend on your dermatologist.

[susanliu]

Paul -

I feel for you, really, I had it for 8 years and I thought THAT was bad enough. I think that if you stick with it - don't mention accutane exactly, but emphasis the fact you're tired of going on and off the antibiotics, that they just keep coming back even now, and that you were wondering if there was anything that would really get rid of them for good - it might work. Also, if you are starting to get scarring (permanent type) I would really push that at them. The policy for referral is either scarring acne, or severe. Also, it's a good idea to go see them when your acne gets really bad, sounds awful, but otherwise they just think you're oversensitive - even though we all know you're not. Basically, tick all the boxes. Anyway, good luck with it, I'll defo check out your blog later on

Hopeful, Again! - thank you so much guys, it's really appreciated.

Also, as promised I (finally) uploaded those pics of what I'm left with now, post-treatment. I tried to capture the scarring etc but it's hard doing it yourself, even with a HD camera - which btw, is NOT my friend :S








It's basically a few rolling scars on my cheeks both sides, lots of those dreaded shallow ice-pick ones that look like enlarged pores, and a handful of deeper ice-pick ones around my mouth. + those old, old, old red marks that just refuse to say goodbye. Looking at them it might not look so bad, but you always want what you can never have right? Sometimes, it makes me feel like I should put some makeup on since the marks really emphasis the scarring

Sorry about the massive-ass pictures..

[PaulH85]

I totally get what you mean about wanting what we can't have. There are times when my skin's looking good and I never quite appreciate it because I still end up wanting it to look better, until it breaks out again and I realise just how good it was. That being said, I hope you can focus on the good points because the results post-Accutane look great and your skin is amazing. Sure, there's light scarring there but I get the feeling you'd probably end up doing more harm than good if you tried to do something with them. Either way, what you have now is acne-free skin and that's brilliant. After all, if that's what you set out to achieve, mission well and truely accomplished! Enjoy it!

Thank you for the advice by the way. The stupid thing is, I've only ever gone back to the doctors when my skin was alright. I couldn't stand the thought of them seeing it. During those times with post-antibiotics breakouts from hell, I hardly wanted to leave the house or go to work. It's been my biggest downfall this year in truth. Of course, doing to see the doctors with decent-looking skin means that is all they can base their course of action on. Indeed, they did tell me that I should just get on with things because it's "not so bad". So, should things go crazy again in the future then I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and face the doctors, then see how many of those boxes I can tick. Thank you.

[Ham84]

I can't help but think you're still feeling sad, Susanliu. About the scarring. they are shallow, but visible. Red marks will fade over time and scars will fill in as you get older. There will still be improvement, but yeah, I can understand how you feel about your skin right now. You're a pretty girl though, don't let scarring get in the way of your life.

but you always want what you can never have right?

Well said. So true.


Merry Christmas.

Edited by Ham84, 24 December 2011 - 05:50 AM.