My experience with Verilux Clearwave Lamp

Okay,

I bought one, and thought - geez, what the hey. I've estimated I could have bought myself a brand new BMW with all the money I've spent on my stupid skin the last 10 years - what's another $150?!

I started using the lamp on both my face and back. Within a week I looked really good even though I was pretty much all clear from Face Reality products. Then by week 3 all hell exploded. What the heck? I actually thought it might be the Vit A I was using that was making me worse - it wasn't.

I stopped using it immediately on my face because I was clear there anyway, and what the hell was I thinking messing with already pretty good skin?! However, I still break out on my back occasionally because I exercise so much.

I was crying and desperately looking for the box to send this piece of crap back to its maker. I had to buy new work out clothes to cover up my back because I broke out in a million little white heads! My skin had NEVER looked so bad!!!!

I read a little more, and decided that I was going to prove this was a piece of garbage and do the whole 12 weeks (mostly because my husband accidently threw the box out in the trash). I couldn't believe what I'd done to my skin, and thought there's no way I can keep this up.

Well, it's week 11 and I'm clear. It finally did what it was supposed to. It's perfect back there and I'm back in my old work out gear. Having said that, I don't have the courage to use it on my face because the weeks I was bad were hell.

Although at times, it is tempting because my skin looks so great; I don't know if I could handle the misery of breaking out into so many tiny whiteheads on my face - which is what I've read from others who threw theirs out.

All I can say is, I bet if you can muscle through it (which, I'm a wimp, I cant) it will clear your face eventually. I'm still using it on my back and haven't had anything...nada...zip...zilch for about 3 weeks. But my face? No way, sorry -can't do it.

Red/Blue Light and Retin A/ Vitamin A

Hey there,

I bought a Verilux Clearware lamp, and I noticed that when I used Retin A or any Vit A derivative, I became worse; however, if I stopped using the Vit A, the lamp made me better. Has anyone else had this experience with home light therapy and these type of products?

Any thoughts as to why this would be?

40 & FREE AT LAST!!!!!

Well, thanks to another member on here, I am clear. Only took me 4 years to get here too.

I had acne as a teen and then after my second child my skin went nuts. I was on antibiotics and everything else short of accutane (did it as a teen). Turns out my derm was actually making me worse with some of the stuff he was recommending. I had no idea that acne was a fundamental problem of our pores getting clogged from make up and oil. I mean, even tho I knew- I thought NON COMODGENIC meant it was safe. NOT TRUE!!!

Everything that goes on your skin GOES IN YOUR PORES!! EVERYTHING!!! So its just a matter of constantly turning over your skin and sloughing it off DAILY. Some people are just blessed with small pores or their skin turns over rapidly on its own. Not me.

So thanks to a long distance relationship with Face Reality acne clinic. I am free. It will be a lifelong commitment to stay this way, but I at least now know what to do.

I had to throw out all my old makeup which was expensive and start using Glo Minerals which was actually cheaper. I had to make a commitment to layer a bunch of product on my skin including glycolic acids and BP 5% and 10% daily. I had no idea that some of the really high end items I was using were making me worse. Even some of the very expensive Vitamin C serums I used to buy were pore clogging.They were, when I stopped using them, I got better.

I am so glad I logged on here. I'd still be struggling if I hadn't. I can LEAVE MY HOUSE and look people in the eye. I knew my skin looked better when I was asked a few weeks ago to model for a catalogue. ( Still can't do that, too insecure). I'd post some before and after photos if I could just figure out how to do it....O well...

Comedogenicity

I am currently studying the comedogenicity of products since I am CONVINCED my dermatologist is actually MAKING ME WORSE with his useless product referrals.

I realize my acne looks very much like "clogged pore" make up acne. I also began thinking about how ironically after my derm suggested I try Jane Iredale makeup I began getting worse. IT'S a CONSPIRACY - I swear. I understand a gazillion people can use Jane Iredale's products safely, I just can't. Don't know why.

Does anyone have a list of "safe" cleansers or make up? I heard glo Minerals was good - can anyone attest to this ( ladeeeeeeeez?).

I'm interested if any of you have any good sites for comedogenicity of products as well. I've searched the internet and came up with a few:

http://www.dermaxime.com/acne-comedogenic-ingredients.htm
http://www.zerozits.com/Articles/acnedetect.htm
http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/newsletter158.asp

PLEASE add more since this is not a conclusive list.

I also discovered that Dan's BP is by far some of the best product out there for BP - not too surprising I guess given all the research he's done. THANK YOU BRO.

Turning 40 and feeling like a teenager - AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO over this acne thing, unfortunately it's all over me - my face in particular.

I was doing so well, and then BAM!!! I had a good run of smooth clear skin, but now it's like I'm facing teen hell all over again.

Can anyone ( women please) speak to this issue?

Things I have tried - EVERYTHING.

Let's see:

Minocin
Doxycycline
Thinking about Accutane ( did it in my teens)
Laser treatments
Endless chemical peels
Microderm
Vibraderm ( that made me so much worse)
Proactiv
Retin A
Tazorac
Obagi Clenziderm - burnt my skin like crazy
Not to mention EVERYTHING over the counter u can think of

I have moderate acne lately with cysts forming occasionally. I'm convinced that I just have to unlock what will work for me in some magical/ mystical order and soon I will be free again! I wonder if I have allergies to food and now its finally caught up, or maybe its just the hormone levels in my body dropping off .

If anyone has any insight FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SPEAK UP -before I have to mortgage my children to get clear skin. I'm running out of cash, time, patience and sanity....

I have fair sensitive skin - Scottish descent ( if that tells u anything).

Thanks,
Mercredi