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Woke up with swollen eyes... not good. They're fine now but it felt so strange for a few hours. My skin is stinging a little though. I think it's all because I used the sulfur yesterday morning. It's weird that it would be so long before it reacted... But the last time I used it I had extremely dry skin everywhere on my face including my eyelids even though I don't put it anywhere near there. So I don't know if sulfur can cause a swelling reaction but it's the only thing I've really done different lately apart from start using a BP cleanser again - though I've used that and haven't had any problems like this before... I don't think I'll use the sulfur again at all and I'll stop the BP cleanser for a day or so to let my skin feel a little better before I start again. (And also was probably a bad idea to use sulfur while using a BP product too - could just be the combination that's making my skin sting and caused my eyes to swell...)
My eyes sting and burn every time I apply the BP... so it could be that. But I wouldn't say they swell or anything. Not like an allergy. It's more like the BP releases some sort of fumes when it's on my skin that rise into my eyes while it's drying. Because as soon as it's dry, the pain stops. It kinda sucks, but it's 100 percent worth it because BP is so damn amazing to my skin.
Skin is doing worse than it has in awhile though...which sucks, but I suppose should be expected any time after ovulation occurs. Interesting that I stopped zinc supplements for 2 days and then had this breakout (not to mention my boobs nearly doubled in size practically overnight). Because I've been reading how zinc is supposed to lower your estrogen over time. I sometimes think maybe my estrogen is too high, because I feel better from the zinc. My boyfriend is an ex-bodybuilder who used to do all sorts of steroids so he knows a lot about different things can affect the hormone balance and he was the one to tell me that sometimes bodybuilders use high-dose zinc supplements to drastically lower their estrogen.
Now, I don't fully understand how all this works, but I DO know that years ago when I took BC pills, I told the person at the clinic that the BC I was on was making me break out. She said, :you probably need a pill that gives you higher estrogen." This sounded fishy to me, because I'd always associated estrogen with that moody, weepy, irritable, broken out feeling I get before my period. But I listened to her and tried out the new pill, and guess what? My face exploded in even worse painful cystic acne than the first pill gave me. So this told me that "higher estrogen" (IF that's actually what the pill accomplished) was no good for me.
These breakouts just suck so bad. They aren't like the acne I get from coffee or fermented foods, which is also somewhat painful but usually clears pretty quickly with the BP. It's like the BP doesn't even affect these. They don't look big at all, but they are intensely painful. Like, one small red bump that looks like nothing on my cheek, but it seems to go so deep down into my face that my entire side of my skull aches. The one in my nose is so painful that I can't even move my mouth because it moves my nose and it's like AGONY... I don't even think these are zits... it's like they are some sort of messed up reaction to the hormones in my body. I don't understand it but I'm really depressed.
Hey, my derm told me that Birth Control pills effect enzyme expression of certain hormones, namely testosterone. When you take the birth control away your body loses it's ability to regulate it and this can make your face explode; so I reckon maybe that's why all this is happening to you. I just don't know how you can stop that.
On the plus side, from looking at your video at least you don't seem to have any scarring and you're really pretty! x x
Yesterday my acne was really red and itchy - the same shade as chicken pox. So I thought I'd put calamine lotion on it, and today it's less inflammed. This is the first time in months that my skin actually responded to a topical treatment overnight. Maybe it's just an initial reaction, but I will apply some tonight as well and see what happens. Worst case scenario, my acne turns pink.
Yesterday my acne was really red and itchy - the same shade as chicken pox. So I thought I'd put calamine lotion on it, and today it's less inflammed. This is the first time in months that my skin actually responded to a topical treatment overnight. Maybe it's just an initial reaction, but I will apply some tonight as well and see what happens. Worst case scenario, my acne turns pink.
Is your skin dry or oily? I have dry skin especially in the mornings, so one evening before I went to bed I applied some peach kernel oil on my red, itchy breakouts and it helped a lot over night. Maybe because for the first time instead of trying to nuke them with benzoil peroxide and clindamycin I gave then some moist. I applied the oil directly to my ever-lasting cyst and small red pimples, they were significantly less inflammed.
Where did you get the calamine lotion from, or did you make it yourself?
Is your skin dry or oily? I have dry skin especially in the mornings, so one evening before I went to bed I applied some peach kernel oil on my red, itchy breakouts and it helped a lot over night. Maybe because for the first time instead of trying to nuke them with benzoil peroxide and clindamycin I gave then some moist. I applied the oil directly to my ever-lasting cyst and small red pimples, they were significantly less inflammed.
Where did you get the calamine lotion from, or did you make it yourself?
My skin is combination....oily around the T-zone and chin, but sometimes dry in other parts. Does peach kernel oil work well over time, or does it only work short term? My skin gets used to new treatments really quickly and then stops responding, so I'm curious to see how it will do with the calamine lotion. Calamine has some good reviews on acne.org, that's why I decided to try it. I figured, all acne topicals don't work for my acne, so why not try something that is not for acne specifically? I try not to use anything harsh on my skin.
I got the calamine lotion from walgreens...the main ingredients are calamine and zinc oxide. Zinc oxide can also help with acne, but it's in my sunscreen and other products and it doesn't do much for me. Maybe the combination of calamine and zinc oxide works better.
Hey, my derm told me that Birth Control pills effect enzyme expression of certain hormones, namely testosterone. When you take the birth control away your body loses it's ability to regulate it and this can make your face explode; so I reckon maybe that's why all this is happening to you. I just don't know how you can stop that.
On the plus side, from looking at your video at least you don't seem to have any scarring and you're really pretty! x x
I'm not sure if that's what's going on in my case, since my face exploded when I was on them worse than ever. It remained fairly bad when I went off them, but it didn't get worse and I probably felt better if anything. Thanks (about the video)! My skin looks good but it's really just the bright bathroom lightning and webcam resolution. 
Could be worse though.
Update: Today was such a bad day. I've been really depressed about my relationship and basically tried to break up with my boyfriend this morning. I ended up regretting it about halfway through and started thinking I was too hormonal to be making such a rash decision, but it was too late, I'd already upset him. We've been pretty unhappy for a long time and there are major issues but we also really love each other and have a fun a lot of the time, and he's my best friend. 
It's just really sad. Part of our issue is that I moved from the west coast to the east coast to be with him (well not entirely, I was on a trip and I stayed because we got into a relationship). I am so homesick for the west coast and only get to see my family maybe once per year. He refuses to leave because he doesn't want to leave his family. He told me flat out that if he had to choose between me or them, he would choose them (in other words, he'd never move back to California with me). I really love him but it's things like this that make me sick. I basically have to live here forever or break up with him. Plus, he has "issues" of his own and has been emotionally abusive at times and that can be incredibly draining and stressful for me to deal with while trying to be in recovery for my issues... I don't know. It's so hard. I wish I could just get a clear answer from someone about what I'm supposed to do. He is my longest and most serious relationship ever. We are basically married and live together so it's not like we could just do a trial separation or something... to get some time apart I'd have to move out and if I move out, I'm never coming back here...
Sorry for the rant. It's just really sad to be trapped in this situation with seemingly no way out (or no way to make our relationship feel "right"). So I was basically sobbing my eyes out all morning/afternoon and then as soon as things calmed down and he and I were okay, we turn on the TV and hear about the Boston bombings... sooo upset. I follow multiple people on tumblr from that area and some of them were at the race... They are all okay though. It was just such a draining, dark, depressing day. I pray for clarity and help for everyone who needs it.
Acne... sucks. I'm still in pain from the breakout, but after two days on the zinc supps I think I'm feeling a little better than before.
If any of you guys are from Boston I hope you're okay. <3
On 4/15/2013 at 2:18 AM, dejaclairevoyant said:I made a "get ready with me" video! Here it is if anyone wants to see, but beware I am a strange dork and made weird kissy faces the entire time
[Edited link out]
Of course, as soon as I was feeling confident enough to post a video, I started getting a breakout. I stopped taking zinc for two days and I don't know if there's a connection, but I was back on my regular dosage again as of today. The worst part is the zit is up in my nose. Now that I'm on the regimen I'm getting big cysts in my nose and ears and it HURTS! It really freaks me out how the acne knows how to move away from the medicine like that.
Still, my entire system feels better and better the longer I get away from caffeine. I just wish I could get away from stress too!
You have beautiful skin! your skin tone is great. I know you probably experience cystic acne but I bet it never gets to the point of "full face" and stays confined to certain areas.
On 4/15/2013 at 2:18 AM, dejaclairevoyant said:I made a "get ready with me" video! Here it is if anyone wants to see, but beware I am a strange dork and made weird kissy faces the entire time
[Edited link out]
Of course, as soon as I was feeling confident enough to post a video, I started getting a breakout. I stopped taking zinc for two days and I don't know if there's a connection, but I was back on my regular dosage again as of today. The worst part is the zit is up in my nose. Now that I'm on the regimen I'm getting big cysts in my nose and ears and it HURTS! It really freaks me out how the acne knows how to move away from the medicine like that.
Still, my entire system feels better and better the longer I get away from caffeine. I just wish I could get away from stress too!
You're so gorgeous, Deja! This video made me smile.
Skin update: I'll be honest. My skin looks like trash right now. Tons of active stuff, little breakouts and a few cysts too. I'm pretty much doing it to myself because I've been drinking way too much soda lately. I've tried to quit drinking soda SO many times in the past, and I can make it several months before caving. It's like a literal addiction for me...like a drug I can't go without. And every time I drink too much soda, my face gets worse. I wanna crawl in a fuckin' hole and hide.
I've not been talking to that girl I went out with because my skin is a mess and it depresses me, and she'll probably think I'm a dick for that, but it's whatever...I don't want her to see me like this so I'll just ignore her and push her away like I do with all girls that show interest in me these days. She can do better than someone who looks like a ugly ass beast. Wish I could move to a cabin in the wilderness and be alone for the rest of my life.
Gonna visit the dermatologist in two days. Gonna go ask him "Yo, can you explain to me why the left side of my cheek (which was almost clear before I took the medication) suddenly became covered in acne?" etc etc.
More than 6 months of acne ruining my life but! I'm trying my best to look on the bright side. Lots of black acne marks/scars on my face....still some bumps...some went away but then more others came...wondering when this cycle will end....
I heard medication takes up to 5-8 weeks to start working. Well it's been 5 weeks I can't wait to hear what my dermatologist has to say! *strained smile* How am I feeling? Impatient! haha 
Yo, everyone on this board and website and all around the world. I pray that you all get that clear skin you want one day 
Gonna visit the dermatologist in two days. Gonna go ask him "Yo, can you explain to me why the left side of my cheek (which was almost clear before I took the medication) suddenly became covered in acne?" etc etc.
More than 6 months of acne ruining my life but! I'm trying my best to look on the bright side. Lots of black acne marks/scars on my face....still some bumps...some went away but then more others came...wondering when this cycle will end....
I heard medication takes up to 5-8 weeks to start working. Well it's been 5 weeks
I can't wait to hear what my dermatologist has to say! *strained smile* How am I feeling? Impatient! haha
Yo, everyone on this board and website and all around the world. I pray that you all get that clear skin you want one day
Medication can make you worst. That's why I prefer treating my skin naturally. I will never visit a derma unless my breakouts are abnormal. I am sorry to hear that! I hope you clear up soon.
Gonna visit the dermatologist in two days. Gonna go ask him "Yo, can you explain to me why the left side of my cheek (which was almost clear before I took the medication) suddenly became covered in acne?" etc etc.
More than 6 months of acne ruining my life but! I'm trying my best to look on the bright side. Lots of black acne marks/scars on my face....still some bumps...some went away but then more others came...wondering when this cycle will end....
I heard medication takes up to 5-8 weeks to start working. Well it's been 5 weeks
Yo, everyone on this board and website and all around the world. I pray that you all get that clear skin you want one day
Medication can make you worst. That's why I prefer treating my skin naturally. I will never visit a derma unless my breakouts are abnormal. I am sorry to hear that! I hope you clear up soon.
I've tried naturally treating my skin for a while and it didn't work...The dermatologist did help though. I see some of the major acne gone, but these little bumps pop up and leave marks and it sucks.
The dermatologist I'm going to now cured my brother's acne though, so I have hopes.
And I heard that it gets worse before it gets better (when it comes to medications). I'm giving it another two months...if it gets worse or doesn't get better....Then I'm gonna stop :'D
I've been showering every 3 days for only 2 weeks, or less, and it has dramatically improved my skin. Hardly any new pimples, just small ones that go away quick. My red marks are fading faster than I would have thought possible. Skin tone is normalizing, my face actually matches my body now. Oil levels are decreasing. I honestly expect in a month to be acne-free, with a matte tone and few visible marks. I know I make a post like this every couple months, feeling positive about whatever method I'm on. But this time feels real. I think I'm allergic to the shower water... every time I get out of the shower my face is red and blotchy. Avoiding that has helped my skin. Makes sense to me!
No appetite, no strength to go to school or socialize. It's raining a lot these days. I just want to starve myself and get into the hospital so that I can be away from all this and feel too bad physically to think. In two months I have to move out and I'll have nowhere to live, money is over and I can't take the student loan anymore, my boyfriend left me, my face is a mess... I want to sleep. A long dark sleep without any dreams.
No appetite, no strength to go to school or socialize. It's raining a lot these days. I just want to starve myself and get into the hospital so that I can be away from all this and feel too bad physically to think. In two months I have to move out and I'll have nowhere to live, money is over and I can't take the student loan anymore, my boyfriend left me, my face is a mess... I want to sleep. A long dark sleep without any dreams.
You have so much left in life, Pianina. Time will pass and you will heal, inside and out. Have you tried getting a side job-- just an easy money type job? Like at a bookstore or a coffee place? It might keep you busy and make you feel good about making some money and improving on just you. Alone time is good for reflection, but too much can be painful. You will find someone else to make you feel happy and loved-- you're still so young and you're very beautiful. You have time, so don't give up yet. Life is not easy, but there is beauty in it, I promise. Keep your head up-- we are all rooting for you. 