11 replies to this topic

[Timetimetime]

Hey, I'm Tom, 19 year old from England!

My acne is located only on my jaw, and as mild as it may be it was stubborn! Consisting of mostly small pimples with the occasional painful lump under the skin. It has not moved in 5 years! After trying every antibiotic, countless topicals and the most extravigant home remedies ranging from egg yolk to aspirin to baking soda to lemon juice, I eventually landed at retinoids, specifically Differin .1%

One thing that I have always taken comfort in is reading other people's experiences and stories and so I had decided to share mine! If it helps no one than it will at least help me, but I hope it helps some people and anyone feel free to ask me ANYTHING!

Okay so I am starting this unfortunately on the shinning of week four so I will do a little recap for you;

Week 1- all of my acne dried, and I saw no irritation from the differin, I was very pleased!!

Week2- little change but a few more pimples began forming along my jaw and below my ears. I expected this of course as an IB was inevitable. My skin became dry and flaky under and around my ears, this was annoying, coupled with itchiness it was infuriating!!!

Week 3- my acne seemed to explode!!! Painful lumps under my skin and my acne pimples all came to a head (which is really a good thing I suppose), white heads became visible and my pores looked clogged. I did notice some fading of red marks however. This was the worst week so far. Although no more dry flaky skin was a relief.

So here I am on day 20, (I will continue giving more detailed updates daily from now on)- the explosion of acne seems to be settling, but I don't want to speak too soon. My skin, where I could see many whiteheads (my cheeks) seems to appear a lot smoother and my face has a healthy glow. There is still no irritation and no dry or flaky skin anymore. Things dare I say, seem to be improving....

[Timetimetime]

Day 20 addition- can feel my acne has developed into lots of sore 'heads' filled with pus, very tempting to pop but I know I shouldn't l, it's a cruel form of torture

[Timetimetime]

Day 21- still lots of very sore and itchy lumps, some under the skin, some have formed heads, the urge to pick and pop has never been higher!

[Timetimetime]

Day 22- okay so it started out well, I was seeing loads of improvement! But unfortunately, not 5 minutes ago I had a MAJOR popping session that I am not proud of (there was blood) so now my face looks like a battle field (a red, mountainy one)

[Timetimetime]

Day 23- getting a little annoyed now tbh; these bumps under my skin don't feel right at all! I can understand getting pimples becasue of how the Dofferin works but these things are just weird! Again there may be a little improvement but the scabs and bleeding are still there from my popping session yesterday, probably set myself back a day or two there which I'm also not pleased about.

[angelcream]

I know what you are going through right now. I have just passed 2 weeks on differin, and my face is really breaking out ( about 8-12 big, red pustules ).
But i'm going to stick with differin for at least 3 months, since it takes time before it shows improvment.
Good luck Tom, and just remember that there is alot of us struggling together, and we will get clear skin sooner or later ! : ))

[Timetimetime]

I know what you are going through right now. I have just passed 2 weeks on differin, and my face is really breaking out ( about 8-12 big, red pustules ).
But i'm going to stick with differin for at least 3 months, since it takes time before it shows improvment.
Good luck Tom, and just remember that there is alot of us struggling together, and we will get clear skin sooner or later ! : ))

Hi really great to finally hear from someone going through the same thing

I had an awful day yesterday, but today I am really pleased with the improvement! My skin looks very good above my jaw! Unbelievably clear and the acne on my jaw is fading quickly, those large pustules are finally healing!

It will be 1 month for me on Wednesday so hang in there! I too will be giving Differin three months! Do you mind if I ask what type/severity of acne you had previous to Differin?

Really pleased to meet someone in such a similar situation to me good luck to you! We've all got to stick together!

Sorry I am missed a day guys day 24- was the worst day ever, lots of scabs from popping, my lesson learnt and advice DO NOT POP ANYTHING.
Day 25- thankfully the aftermath of my popping was only short lived and my improvement today is incredible! My cheeks are very smooth and the acne on my jaw is healing nicely! Still a few small pimples popping up! Oh also I put aloe Vera gel over the differin last night which I think may have helped the improvement and appearance of my skin, I'll continue to use it and post my findings on here!

[angelcream]

previous of differin I had mild to moderate acne. It could go a weeks or two without any big breakouts, and then suddenly two on my cheeks or forhead. The most annyoing thing is the hyperpigmentation left behind that last for months or even years.

When I started getting acne, it all happened on my forhead. Then suddenly the acne decided to travel down to my cheeks, and there is where it has stayed every since . . I'm thinking about posting pictures of my face, but to afraid of actually doing it . .

[Timetimetime]

previous of differin I had mild to moderate acne. It could go a weeks or two without any big breakouts, and then suddenly two on my cheeks or forhead. The most annyoing thing is the hyperpigmentation left behind that last for months or even years.

When I started getting acne, it all happened on my forhead. Then suddenly the acne decided to travel down to my cheeks, and there is where it has stayed every since . . I'm thinking about posting pictures of my face, but to afraid of actually doing it . .

You couldn't be more right! The PIH is the worst!

And I too wanted to post pictures but I think a lot of people, myself including feel that doing so is like admitting that it really is happening to you and also no one likes to look at and be reminded of their acne let alone have the Internet see it! But I admire those who do

[angelcream]

btw: have you been getting dry because of differin? because that seems to be very common for most differin users, but i haven't experience the slightest dryness at all . . .hmm

[Timetimetime]

btw: have you been getting dry because of differin? because that seems to be very common for most differin users, but i haven't experience the slightest dryness at all . . .hmm

Not as much as other people seem to say they do, I did notice a little bot of dryness for about a week and my acne tends to dry up quickly but not much dry/flaky skin no, it effects people's skin differently I think

[SaulRod]

Hey, Im on week 3 of adapalene cream (Generic for Differin cause my phamarsy didnt have the gel so they gave me the generic version of Differin, which ended up being more expensive then the actual Differin >=/ anyways my face has broken out pretty bad. Its frustrating to see how my face has gotten worse than what it was at the beganning. I feel your pain, but lets keep our heads up and hope the treatment actually works. I have a log as well chek it out if you want lol. peace.