Hi there. Oh if I could count the times people gave me advice for my skin... It's quite silly to think that just because something worked for you it's going to work for someone else. We are all so unique and the complexity and severity of our skin is different. There are always going to be opinionated people out there so the best thing to do is remember that they have the best intentions and let it go. They simply don't understand.
With that said, for many people, spironolactone causes an initial breakout (or IB). I've heard this is basically the medicine doing its job to clear up the pores that are already clogged. For me that was the case both times I used it. It's no fun, but if you know it's going to happen then it's a little easier to digest. Patience is the key with spiro...
Like I said above, you know your skin best, but what I have heard from every skin expert is when you find a regimine, stick to it! Don't keep changing things up because that can make your skin worse. And the second thing I always here is to be very gentle with your skin. I'm not sure why it's red. Did you start a new topical? I recently started new topicals and they caused my skin to be super red and dry so on the advice of my derm I stopped for a couple of days until my skin settled down and then changed the routine to every other day until my skin gets used to the cream.
My only exfoliant is my topical HQRA (Hydroquinone Retin A). I love it so much because the Retin A helps resolve my acne and the Hydroquinone fades my scars. But, it's pretty intense so I can't use it every night until my skin gets used to it. I don't know what would make sense for you, but if you're interested you could always do some research and ask your doc about it.
I am having an okay skin day. I don't have any huge cysts at all today! I have a couple medium pimples forming, a few not so fun whiteheads, lots of tiny skin colored bumps (but these have been decreasing every day), and some not so cute healing pimples as well. But for me, this is a pretty good day. I have to go out tonight so I'm happy because I can do a decent job covering this up.
By the way, I took your advice and told my sister about my skin and my PCOS. She was really supportive. It's such a relief letting people know about my skin. I think many ladies who have acne tend to be perfectionists (like me) and it's the hardest thing to show people that we are not perfect. I have so much shame about my skin and that's the hardest thing to let go of...
Anyway, sending lots of support your way as usual. Glad to hear the update!
Sierra
skindeepstory.wordpress.com
Hey Sierra how have you been doing? I completely and utterly agree that we are ALL unique, so so unique infact. I know people in the world - normal people lol - try and be nice and supportive and think giving advice is needed, but it is hard to explain to a non acne sufferer about how diet, hormones, stress etc can ALSO contribute to this isn't it? I just need to bite my tongue and not say a word. My real friends are the ones who support what Im doing and wish the best for me and don't try to tell my what to do.
I totally agree with you to stick to a cleansing regime - Ive been doing what Im doing literally for about a month and a bit now. I just wash my face late afternoon (once a day) and let it dry for an hour and apply tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar if it is dry. I haven't used a topical in about 2 months, I gave them up and relaised ..well thought my acne would heal itself without it once I fix inside my body and when it is balanced, however I am considering a good exfoliating regime, so Im still looking into that. I also take supplements (3000iu vit D - I have slowly upped to this - 24mg Zinc, and cod liver oil every other day) I was looking into L-carnite or something? Apparantly it is meant to be good for healing your digestive system.
Did you find you got an IB on the HQRA? The only retinoid I have tried is Differin, but even by taking a pea sized amount it burned my face over time, and I had these burns on my skin for a good few weeks...that's when I decided to stop ALL topicals and just focus on tea tree oil. Good to hear you were having an okay skin day the other day. I am today! Woo. Hope your night out went well.
I have been reading your blog from the beginning Sierra and I must say it is amazing. I try to read a bit when I get time, Ive managed to read all posts of the Dec 2012. You are actually a little like me, I like to call myself a hippie and love the holistic approach to life. I have never read "the power of now" but it sounds like something I'd be interested in. I like the idea of being in the present moment, it is ahrd to do though with all the mind chatter that runs through your head, do you ever meditate?
There is a book that I read on and off and it is called "Your life was never meant to be a struggle" by Roy E Klienwachter, I think you would like it, he is very interested in the idea that we are here in this life to learn things and we chose our parents accordingly before birth to make sure we live our lfie purpose through the life lessons that they teach us. This book also refers to "manifesting" - a subject I love dearly - and how when we focus positively and BELIEVE and KNOW that we will have something, we will.
I know it is very hard to be un-perfect so-to-speak but sometimes we need to show the world our vulnrability and rely on others for a time to make us feel better. We can't always have a braze face and expect everything to go as plan, life isn't like that, its forever changing, it likes to keep us on our toes! I like to say "Happiness is fleeting" - I totally believe this, we need to change this though and attempt to stay happier for longer and if this means opening up to someone who we trust and effectively understands, they can keep encouraging us to 'keep on keeping on'. Then hopefully we will feel so relieved and even happy to have opened up in the first place 
some people in the world like to know things, and maybe by telling people our own stories they can then be inspired to share their own and maybe even help others out. Im glad your sisteris supporting you really, so happy you spoke to her about your PCOS.
Take care!
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I took my Spiro in the morning about 10am and I was soo sleep around 10pm, so I think maybe I was just nervous about Valentines Day ha.
