2 replies to this topic

[rp245]

Hi, I've been on Retin-A 0.01% for 8 weeks and just saw the dermatologist today. It has helped a bit for the top of my face, like nose up, and gotten worse from my nose down. She said skin-wise I would be a great candidate for Accutane but practicality-wise it's not an option.

She gave me two new prescriptions... one is for Tazorac 0.1% which is basically a stronger version of what I was already using, and the second is a mixture of 1% clindamycin phosphate and 5% benzoyl peroxide gel for spot treating. She said I could use it on my whole face though if it didn't cause too much dryness.

I'm going to start with the Tazorac only every 3 days at first and use the 0.01% the other days so that I don't freak my skin out too much.

Does anyone have any experience with upping your Retin-A dosage? Or with the combination spot treatment I was prescribed?

REALLY hoping this will help! Fingers crossed!

[cvd]

Yes I have had experience with all three...in fact it is my treatment regime right now. I have very resistant chronic cystic acne...ugh! Totally disgusting and the only things that have kept it clear are accutane (while I was on it) and full dose antibiotics. Of course can't take those things forever. BP alone sort of keeps me clear but not the cysts which I get on my chin. Proactive regime was the same. Took Spiro on it's own...same thing. Etc. etc.

For the last couple of months, my derm put me on a multi-prong approach and I will be on it for 7 months until he sees me again to evaluate how it is doing. See below. In the morning I wash for a minute or two with 4% BP cleanser and then apply Cleocin-T solution 1% (clindamycin phosphate). It goes on like a toner. I only put it on my t-zone which is where I break out. At first I was putting it all over my face but it was too drying for my cheeks. However my t-zone is really oily and it works great there. I was told by my derm to use extra Cleocin-T on any cysts to make them go away faster...but since being on this regime I haven't gotten any (...holding my breath and crossing fingers!!!...). I then put on some DML lotion. This is a lotion specially designed for sensitive acne prone skin. I'd love to use an all natural lotion but I break out. This one is totally neutral and takes care of dryness really well without being greasy.

At night I wash with Cetaphil Antibacterial Bar and then apply generic tretinoin cream .1% (retin-a) after 20-30 minutes of allowing my skin to dry. Right before bed I also apply a bit of the DML lotion mostly on my cheeks. I started out with .05% tretinoin cream and then after about a year was upped to the .1%. I haven't had any problems with it and I look far younger than my age...I think because of all this exfoliating stuff I have used for my acne, especially the tretinoin cream!

As I shared above, I have never been on such a complicated regime. But my derm is determined to find a topical regime that works. That said, I am also on Oracea and Spironolactone for right now. Eventually the goal is to be on just topicals. For me, I just hope that the regime below keeps me clear to start. It has been such a long difficult road and I have suffered so much! I have paid more than my dues and deserve to have clear skin...even if I have to follow this multi-med approach!

[rp245]

Yes I have had experience with all three...in fact it is my treatment regime right now. I have very resistant chronic cystic acne...ugh! Totally disgusting and the only things that have kept it clear are accutane (while I was on it) and full dose antibiotics. Of course can't take those things forever. BP alone sort of keeps me clear but not the cysts which I get on my chin. Proactive regime was the same. Took Spiro on it's own...same thing. Etc. etc.

For the last couple of months, my derm put me on a multi-prong approach and I will be on it for 7 months until he sees me again to evaluate how it is doing. See below. In the morning I wash for a minute or two with 4% BP cleanser and then apply Cleocin-T solution 1% (clindamycin phosphate). It goes on like a toner. I only put it on my t-zone which is where I break out. At first I was putting it all over my face but it was too drying for my cheeks. However my t-zone is really oily and it works great there. I was told by my derm to use extra Cleocin-T on any cysts to make them go away faster...but since being on this regime I haven't gotten any (...holding my breath and crossing fingers!!!...). I then put on some DML lotion. This is a lotion specially designed for sensitive acne prone skin. I'd love to use an all natural lotion but I break out. This one is totally neutral and takes care of dryness really well without being greasy.

At night I wash with Cetaphil Antibacterial Bar and then apply generic tretinoin cream .1% (retin-a) after 20-30 minutes of allowing my skin to dry. Right before bed I also apply a bit of the DML lotion mostly on my cheeks. I started out with .05% tretinoin cream and then after about a year was upped to the .1%. I haven't had any problems with it and I look far younger than my age...I think because of all this exfoliating stuff I have used for my acne, especially the tretinoin cream!

As I shared above, I have never been on such a complicated regime. But my derm is determined to find a topical regime that works. That said, I am also on Oracea and Spironolactone for right now. Eventually the goal is to be on just topicals. For me, I just hope that the regime below keeps me clear to start. It has been such a long difficult road and I have suffered so much! I have paid more than my dues and deserve to have clear skin...even if I have to follow this multi-med approach!

Thanks so much! I see that you are currently 98% clear which is giving me hope!

I used the spot treatment she gave me right away and then used the stronger Retin-A last night, and the painful acne around my chin and jaw is already feeling/looking better (still really itchy though)! So I'm hoping this is a good sign! It has been sooo painful for the past few days and today when I woke up I was actually laying on my side without pain on the side of my face! I have only had one cyst flaring up since being on the Retin-A but it was really inflamed before I started and it's looking pretty good for now. I'll be really happy once the swollen lymph nodes I've had from my acne for months go away.

I pop in and out of these phases with my skin. By the end of every summer I'm always almost 100% free of inflammatory acne and will only have a few bumps and black heads. By midwinter I am always broken out in cystic acne. I'm just so tired of the cycle. I'm 22! This should be gone by now! Oh well, I guess if this doesn't work, then my only option is to move to a tropical climate!