skindeepstory

Skin deep-

Does your aesthetician do extractions and then the peel and what % peel have you gotten? I had kind of a bad experience with an SA peel 4 months ago when I was on differin, they told me I only needed to stop it for a couple days before but then my face got so burned from the peel...my whole face came off in strips... I think I actually needed to be off retinoids for at least a week. She also did extractions while the acid was still on my face and left red scabs everywhere she used the tool. Eck! The past 2 months I have been getting some extraction facials (and doing my own at home with steam and the help of my husband because I find I can sometimes do it better than they can). I was thinking of trying a peel again but was nervous. You have had really good results with your peel loosening clogged pores? I think I have one more "layer" of clogs that needs to come more to the surface on both my cheek bones before I am close to clear. Thanks for your advice!

 

 

Skindeepstory - 
 
 
I started Spiro 2 weeks ago. I had already been purging before that so I think it was the retin a, which I have been on for months. I was so fed up with the purging I called my derm and asked if there was something else I could do and she told me to take a break from it. It has been 6 days now and no active pimples. However I have a lot of clogged pores on my cheeks and jaw line, almost all of my issue is clogged pores. Its like the retinoids were slowly bringing those up but there are multiple layers of clogs or something. I am going to an aesthetician tomorrow to see if she can get a lot of them out that I can feel really obviously on my skin. I dont know how far along the clog has to be for them to extract them. Orif I never get back on the retin a if the rest of them just wont come out.  How long have you been on Spiro for and when do you feel like is started really helping and preventing new stuff/decreasing oil? I am on 100mg now and so far 0 side effects. 

Lifeinfaith,
 
I really enjoyed reading your story.  Thanks for sharing.  One of the biggest things that helped me get through the most severe breakouts and lowest moments is just reading that other people were going through it too.  Keep your faith high and stay connected.
 
As for the clogged pores, mine are pretty much all gone.  I think I literally have five on my entire face now!  Mine were everywhere. Completely covering my forehead, and most of my cheeks and chin.  Spiro worked to basically purge, purge and purge some more.  The unfortunate news is that for the first three months, literally every single one of those clogged pores turned into a full blown honking zit.  That was just the process of elimination.  Around month three when my skin began to settle a bit, I decided to take things into my own hands.  I went to the esthetician and she manually extracted many of the clogged pores before they could become anything bigger, and then we did a salicylic peel that was absolutely amazing!  A month later I had another peel and extraction session with even better results.  Basically, the spiro worked to purge all the clogged pores and stop me from getting new ones.  So, with the help of my fantastic esthetician, I've been getting rid of all of them, and not getting new ones. 
 
I think I'll go in for one more peel and extraction just because I'm a perfectionist, but at this point my skin is great (aside from the scars that are fading slowly but surely).  

Skin deep-

Does your aesthetician do extractions and then the peel and what % peel have you gotten? I had kind of a bad experience with an SA peel 4 months ago when I was on differin, they told me I only needed to stop it for a couple days before but then my face got so burned from the peel...my whole face came off in strips... I think I actually needed to be off retinoids for at least a week. She also did extractions while the acid was still on my face and left red scabs everywhere she used the tool. Eck! The past 2 months I have been getting some extraction facials (and doing my own at home with steam and the help of my husband because I find I can sometimes do it better than they can). I was thinking of trying a peel again but was nervous. You have had really good results with your peel loosening clogged pores? I think I have one more "layer" of clogs that needs to come more to the surface on both my cheek bones before I am close to clear. Thanks for your advice!

Hey LifeinFaith!

I'm trying to remember what order she did it in.  I believe it was the steam, then a general cleansing and massage.  Then extractions.  Then the peel, then a nice soothing mask, some moisturizer and another little massage.  Then I doze off  

I actually don't know the percentage of the peel!  Silly.  I should totally have asked.  I was recommended to lay off of the retinoids at least 5 days to a week before and after the peel.  I did notice that after both peels I did have a small post breakout, but I've read that's pretty normal and is just part of the shedding.  I did have more red marks for a few days after the peel, where she extracted, but those went away quickly, and once it actually peeled, my scars were noticeably faded and continued to get better in the next couple weeks.

I can't imagine doing extractions DURING the peel!  I couldn't stand the peel for more than one minute so there wouldn't be any time to extract.  Love that your husband gets in on the extraction action!  I only recently "came out" to my boyfriend about just how bad my skin was.  It was so freeing to show him the real me and see that he wasn't grossed out and even loved me more for it. 

If you're located in Southern California, I'd be happy to give you the name of my esthetician.  She's fantastic!

xo

Sierra

Skindeepstory - 

 

 

I started Spiro 2 weeks ago. I had already been purging before that so I think it was the retin a, which I have been on for months. I was so fed up with the purging I called my derm and asked if there was something else I could do and she told me to take a break from it. It has been 6 days now and no active pimples. However I have a lot of clogged pores on my cheeks and jaw line, almost all of my issue is clogged pores. Its like the retinoids were slowly bringing those up but there are multiple layers of clogs or something. I am going to an aesthetician tomorrow to see if she can get a lot of them out that I can feel really obviously on my skin. I don’t know how far along the clog has to be for them to extract them. Or…if I never get back on the retin a if the rest of them just won’t come out.  How long have you been on Spiro for and when do you feel like is started really helping and preventing new stuff/decreasing oil? I am on 100mg now and so far 0 side effects. 

Lifeinfaith,

I really enjoyed reading your story.  Thanks for sharing.  One of the biggest things that helped me get through the most severe breakouts and lowest moments is just reading that other people were going through it too.  Keep your faith high and stay connected.

As for the clogged pores, mine are pretty much all gone.  I think I literally have five on my entire face now!  Mine were everywhere. Completely covering my forehead, and most of my cheeks and chin.  Spiro worked to basically purge, purge and purge some more.  The unfortunate news is that for the first three months, literally every single one of those clogged pores turned into a full blown honking zit.  That was just the process of elimination.  Around month three when my skin began to settle a bit, I decided to take things into my own hands.  I went to the esthetician and she manually extracted many of the clogged pores before they could become anything bigger, and then we did a salicylic peel that was absolutely amazing!  A month later I had another peel and extraction session with even better results.  Basically, the spiro worked to purge all the clogged pores and stop me from getting new ones.  So, with the help of my fantastic esthetician, I've been getting rid of all of them, and not getting new ones. 

I think I'll go in for one more peel and extraction just because I'm a perfectionist, but at this point my skin is great (aside from the scars that are fading slowly but surely).  

Sierra - 

 

When you were on Spiro the first time, did you have any side effects? I just had my hormones tested and everything came back normal except my Testosterone...its real low..which is bizarre because I have always been really lean and gained muscle easily...I am wondering if they will want me to come off Spiro since my T is already so low. My skin is sooooooo oily though!
 

Sorry for the late response lifeinfaith!  Yes, spiro is a miracle for acne, but... it does come with some side effects.

Before I get into them I wanted to address the low T level.  I actually had low testosterone before i started on spiro.  That didn't deter my dermatologist and endocrinologist.  They still recommended it for my acne.  And now I'm just heading into month 5 and my skin is fantastic.  I barely get any pimples and when I do they are small and go away quickly.  There's someone else on this forum (maybe michi?) who mentioned that even though she has low testosterone, her doctor thinks there is extra androgens in her skin.  I probably wrote that wrong, but something like that.  I'm sure you could search the last couple pages on the forum and find what she said. 

In any case, I have low T and spiro has worked wonders!  But patience is really important.  And you may want to bump up your dose very gradually if you don't see improvement after 3 months.  Many gals didn't see a difference at all until they found the "magic dose."

So, side effects: had to pee all the time, dry mouth, thirst, a couple UTIs because I unfortunately started to hold it in overnight.  I also had some fatigue, even after 2 years on spiro.  There were just good energy days (mostly good days) and low energy days.  For me it was (and is) totally worth it.  The emotional pain of acne is so much worse than feeling tired and thirsty. 

Sending you lots of support on your journey.  Keep us updated!

xo

Sierra

Is your doc ok with you not having a period? I didn't know if this could be bad for me or not. It's 10 days late at this point, maybe it'll start eventually. My estrogen was normal.
 

Yeah I haven't had a period since I've been on it - but I don't think it's the Spiro but rather the fact that my estrogen can't get high enough to make me ovulate. You could get your hormones checked again and see where you are in your cycle.

Were you considering going on birth control michi?  I think we already talked about it, but I was in the same predicament.  No period or ovulation at all for almost a year, but it was only when i went off the pill that it stopped.  And it started up again as soon as I restarted the pill.

Oh yeah, I think we did talk about it.  You were just a bit nervous about starting it because you had a bad experience.  Totally understand.  But, might be worth a try because it really does increase your risk of cancer when you don't shed your uterine lining for long periods of time.  Something to talk to your doc about or maybe research.  

UPDATE!

 

Hi everyone, it's been a few weeks since I've chimed in and I have big exciting news! I'm about to reach 17 weeks on Spiro, so just a little over 4 months, and let me tell you my skin is looking really, really good!!! I don't think I've had an actual cyst in about 2-3 weeks. A few smaller pimples around my period last week, but everything has either gone away or surfaced in about a 24 hour period. I definitely think the people that say in can take up to 6 months are right. I have seen the most noticeable changes between 3 1/2 half months and 4. I feel fairly positive that things will only continue to improve from here!!

 

Now I am mostly dealing with a few residual scars and the occasional white head, but nothing like a few months ago. I have a facial in a week and a half, and I'm hoping she'll be able to extract the last few whiteheads I have. Then I can work on healing and feeling confident for my wedding and honeymoon in September!!

 

Also, I started using Mario Badescu products and I'm in LOVE! If anyone is interested in the products I'm using just let me know.

 

I just wanted to write everyone and give hope that I really do believe Spiro is working and if you can be patient, you will see results. I had a few moments where I wanted to give up, but I'm glad I didn't. Stick it out... I truly believe it is worth it and better then constantly switching regimens and waking the so called acne beast.

 

XOXO ladies!!!

 

Theresa

Woohoooo!!!  My skin is looking good too!  Gooo spiro.  Stick with it ladies!  Patience is so key with this medicine.

So happy for you Theresa!

xo

Sierra

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Yes so it's tough to know what had the most impact of if it was both combined. I think that's so interesting that Yaz broke you out because it's a derivative of Spiro and Spiro works for you. As much as we try to figure this stuff out it's all a mystery isn't it? Are you planning on getting your hormones rechecked at any time? I just got mine redone this morning again - even though I did it 3 weeks ago the Endo wanted a second look before he refers me for an MRI (for insurance purposes and just to make sure). I'll find out my results in 2 weeks. Oh and the reason for my MRI is because it boggles his mind how my estrogen can be so low yet my FSH is also low - the pituitary gland in our brain sends a signal to raise FSH to try to in turn raise low estrogen and that is not happening for me. What was your FSH?

Hi Michi,

I wasn't planning on getting my hormone levels rechecked unless my endo requests that I do.  My endo is the one who said he doesn't think I have PCOS and has no idea what's wrong with me...so...probably going to look for a new endo at some point anyway.

This is all such a big mystery.  I was pretty caught up in getting a diagnosis and actually felt really relieved to find out I had PCOS, and then getting undiagnosed was a bit of a blow.  But, I'm relaxing a little on figuring it all out because the medicine I'm on seems to be helping.  I hope your MRI goes well! It would be nice to figure all of this out, right?

My FSH was at 7.0.  I don't think that's low, but the FSH level is confusing to me.  According to my lab, my level indicated I'm either follicular, midcycle, or luteal.  I don't think it means much of anything because at that point I wasn't menstruating or ovulating at all.  What was your level if you don't mind me asking?

Sierra

Greetings---

Sierra I looked at your pics and was loling at the carb craving comments...haha definitely had those!!! I've found theyve gone down with bc, and I was thinking back to when I was on bc before or just when I was feeling better in general, and I craved savory foods almost predominantly. I mean I still liked fruit and occasional sweets, but mostly I would be like yum dinner, savory food etc. Whereas now i'm like thinking about sweets based things, even though I really try to eat mostly savory food. it's definitely hormonal/acne related for me. I hope they continue to go down. Have sugar cravings gone down with spiro or bc for you?

Hi Kelseylee!

Glad to hear I'm not alone with those crazy cravings.  I've had issues with carb cravings and binge eating for years.  I think it's at an all time high right now to be honest and I don't know if it has any relation to the spiro.  When I was on spiro and bc before I would still get those cravings but I could manage them better.  Now if I don't leave the kitchen immediately after a meal I will eat all day.  No joke.

The one thing that did help was my very brief stint on Metformin which is actually a drug for diabetics.  According to my labs I am not a diabetic so that's why I went off of it, but, oh my.  It was the only time in my adult life that I have been totally free of my insane carb cravings.  Still miss that pill...

I'm sorry to hear your skin is not treating you well.  But I do commend you on not popping those suckers!  I try to never pop but I still do on occasion if I know the zit is "ripe". If you must pop, I got a great lesson from my esthetician who said if I really have to pop here's how to do it:

Clean and steam your face beforehand to open pores.  I usually just take a warm shower.  Then clean the pimple with an alcohol based toner, prick it with a sanitized safety pin, then use two cotton swabs dipped in the alcohol on the sides of your fingers (instead of the tips) to apply pressure on both sides of the pimple so you don't accidentally hurt your skin by pinching. If it pops easily, continue to make sure you get ALL of the gunk out.  Leaving some of that in there will only make it worse.  You'll know it's all out when the blood runs more clear and you don't feel that deeper infected ache, just a dull pain caused by popping.  Move your fingers around the pimple instead of just trying one angle.  Pores are not always straight up and down so you have to find the right angle.   If it doesn't pop easily, leave it alone!  When you're done wipe it with another cotton swab dipped in alcohol.  I've been using that method on my recent smaller pimples and it works like a charm.  They heal up quickly and don't come back.

Wow, didn't realize I was such a zit popping expert til I wrote that manifesto!  Anyway, hope that helps

xo

Sierra

skindeepstory.wordpress.com

Skindeepstory - did you have a lot of clogged pores and did yuo find that Spiro helped clear and stop those?

Hi lifeinfaith!

Yes, I had a TON of clogged pores.  As for spiro helping, this might not be fun to hear, but the initial breakout on spiro caused almost all of those clogged pores (there were SOOOO many) to become full fledged pimples.  It basically "purged" them out and it was NOT pretty.  Once that initial breakout had calmed down a bit I was able to go to my esthetician to help get rid of the existing clogged pores before they evolved into big breakouts.  I've had 3 facials now and every time it helps.  I'm not getting very many new pimples, so purging and extracting the existing ones has really helped resolve a lot of my acne. 

Not sure what your story is but if you are thinking about starting spiro, I would suggest weening up your dosage slowly instead of jumping in at the highest dose like I did.  I'm pretty sure that coupled with the crazy amount of clogged pores that already existed on my face caused my 3 month long initial breakout from h**l. 

Hope that helped! 

Sierra

skindeepstory.wordpress.com