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Last night I made my fenugreek tea, which on the package says "slightly bitter taste" but has never tasted bitter to me. Well last night it did, extremely so. I managed to drink about half of it, in hopes that a more bitter taste might mean it's stronger and the positive effects would be increased. Turns out, I was actually drinking a bunch of heat-activated chemicals from the rubber and plastic hot water bottle my stepmom was using for my dad's sore neck. She was frigging recycling the water (undrinkable well water, to boot) from the bottle into the kettle, and left it there for 2 days. What a total airhead. All of this concern I've had over the years for my health, and I just throw it away with half a cup of rubber- and plastic-laced well water. Grrrrrrr.
On 8/14/2013 at 9:38 PM, Pianina said:I don't think such risky behaviour should be encouraged... Don't just trust on "other people have done it, so it's ok"
Only a dermatologist should drain a cyst, because to make it right, you need to drain it totally, so that no pus is left under the surface.
I had a huge and painful cyst on my cheek for around 2 months and it didn't seem to get smaller. So I washed my face and hands neatly, took a sterile needle, dipped it into antiseptic medicine (the one you usually put on wounds), carefully pierced it and drained it really well - there was some blood at the end as well. After that I desinfected the cyst, put on a layer of Duac (antibiotic klindamicyn and bp) and didn't touch that place for few days. It sounds like nothing go wrong with such careful extraction, and it started healing immediatly and didn't fill in again. However... The scar I was left with... The deepest scar I have on my face right now, which you can see in the picture. I used Duac for a year to make it look better and it didn't.
Ofc, I'm not saying this will happen to you, but it's not good to act so reclessly when you really want to get rid of acne. It's like fighting obesity and taking a piece of cake at night, thinking that everyone gives up to temptation sometimes
Don't touch your cysts, seriously! Let the dermatologist do it
Pianina, you don't have to answer this by any means as I know it's kind of rude of me to ask, but I was just wondering how long it took after your cyst went down for you to see the scar from it develop? The one I attacked went down about a week and a half ago now and I can see a very small indentation but it's barely noticeable and I don't think anyone else would spot it at all. At the moment it looks mostly like hyperpigmentation that's already beginning to fade but I'm not sure if this means I got off lightly for my recklessness of if the scarring part is still to come.
I don't think such risky behaviour should be encouraged... Don't just trust on "other people have done it, so it's ok"
I had a huge and painful cyst on my cheek for around 2 months and it didn't seem to get smaller. So I washed my face and hands neatly, took a sterile needle, dipped it into antiseptic medicine (the one you usually put on wounds), carefully pierced it and drained it really well - there was some blood at the end as well. After that I desinfected the cyst, put on a layer of Duac (antibiotic klindamicyn and bp) and didn't touch that place for few days. It sounds like nothing go wrong with such careful extraction, and it started healing immediatly and didn't fill in again. However... The scar I was left with... The deepest scar I have on my face right now, which you can see in the picture. I used Duac for a year to make it look better and it didn't.
Ofc, I'm not saying this will happen to you, but it's not good to act so reclessly when you really want to get rid of acne. It's like fighting obesity and taking a piece of cake at night, thinking that everyone gives up to temptation sometimes
Don't touch your cysts, seriously! Let the dermatologist do it
Pianina, you don't have to answer this by any means as I know it's kind of rude of me to ask, but I was just wondering how long it took after your cyst went down for you to see the scar from it develop? The one I attacked went down about a week and a half ago now and I can see a very small indentation but it's barely noticeable and I don't think anyone else would spot it at all. At the moment it looks mostly like hyperpigmentation that's already beginning to fade but I'm not sure if this means I got off lightly for my recklessness of if the scarring part is still to come.
It's not rude at all 
The cyst started going down around 3-5 months after popping it, at first it only left hyper pigmentation. And it got the worst a year after 
It's not rude at all
The cyst started going down around 3-5 months after popping it, at first it only left hyper pigmentation. And it got the worst a year after
Thanks Pianina, I'm so sorry that happened to you! Clearly I'm not out of the woods yet then. I just really hope I get lucky!
Horrible! I have a terrible premenstrual breakout these days. Not seen the likes of this since I was a hormonal teenager! I think the birth control pill I was taking is to blame. All it seems to have done is make my acne worse! Argh!! Needless to say, I will not be starting another pack next week...
well some random girl insulted me on facebook and she not even that pretty she just have a clear skin..and I kept on thinking the things she sed like I'm a pimpled face girl, its so many that there's no space for any.That kind of words..But honestly I don't have any pimples now just deep acne scars and its not even the red ones..She insulted me 2 days ago and I can't get it out of my head everytime I think about what she sed I pity myself for having a bad skin
Wow, she sounds like a really ugly person on the inside, where it actually matters. Sucks to be her.
Those spots went down after about a week. I have a little bit of hyper pigmentation now, but it's the very faded brown kind and not the red kind, so I'm hoping it'll clear off soon. Mineral foundation seems to help it fade a lot faster - maybe the zinc content? Or the placebo effect! 
Hold on in there guys. Things will get better <3
I'm starting a new birth control today! I feel about 1 million times better after getting my Mirena IUD out, but I still need to control any births.... SO, Beyaz it is!
I'm nervous because it's a combo estrogen/progesterone pill, but I'm also really hopeful that it will at least help.
These days, I seem to only get cystic acne. For some reason, I'm actually happy about it....it was the constant painful whiteheads ALL OVER that would bother me and look terrible under makeup. My cysts that are located only on my jawline and neck are actually easier to cover and since I have longer hair now, I can hide them with it. I don't really have much acne on my cheeks and forehead, just some blackheads.
I have classically hormonal acne. Here's to hoping my birth control will help me out. I'm going to make a log about it, but I so dread an intense breakout. I don't think I can handle it. I have SOOO MANY important things to do this week and next!!
It's not rude at all
The cyst started going down around 3-5 months after popping it, at first it only left hyper pigmentation. And it got the worst a year after
Thanks Pianina, I'm so sorry that happened to you!
Clearly I'm not out of the woods yet then. I just really hope I get lucky!
Yeah, but don't just sit and hope to get lucky - drink more water, add some fatty foods like salmon, walnuts, avocado to your diet, use some sulfur cream on that spot.. You know, help your skin not to scar
I used loads of clyndamycin + bp on mine, while it was still a dark spot (at that time I thought bp bleaches hyperpigmentation, what an idiot... It actually slows down the healing, dries skin out = increases scarring...).
Yeah, but don't just sit and hope to get lucky - drink more water, add some fatty foods like salmon, walnuts, avocado to your diet, use some sulfur cream on that spot.. You know, help your skin not to scar
I used loads of clyndamycin + bp on mine, while it was still a dark spot (at that time I thought bp bleaches hyperpigmentation, what an idiot... It actually slows down the healing, dries skin out = increases scarring...).
Thanks for the advice Pianina! I'm not used to dealing with acne that leaves proper scars rather than just hyperpigmentation because I've never really had that type before this summer so I didn't have the first clue about what to do to minimise the scarring. I will try your suggestions though! I am using bp in my Epiduo at the moment which I'm using to deal with the active acne. I hope that doesn't increase my scarring too much because I think I'll just break out spectacularly again if I stop using it now.
Yeah, but don't just sit and hope to get lucky - drink more water, add some fatty foods like salmon, walnuts, avocado to your diet, use some sulfur cream on that spot.. You know, help your skin not to scar
I used loads of clyndamycin + bp on mine, while it was still a dark spot (at that time I thought bp bleaches hyperpigmentation, what an idiot... It actually slows down the healing, dries skin out = increases scarring...).
Thanks for the advice Pianina!
Just on the topic of scarring - I think I'm noticing some indented scarring (very shallow indents though) as I'm getting older opposed to just hyperpigmentation and I think that's because collagen production slows as you get older. I'm not sure if there's truth to that but it's just something I've been meaning to look into lately.
I don't know a lot about BP and 'proper' scarring (indented or larger scars) but I do think it increases hyperpigmentation 'scarring' - it's definitely annoying to deal with - and just one of the reasons why I'd rather not be using BP... but I can't ignore the fact that it's helping my skin and I'm at a (mental / emotional) point where I just need something to work or I don't know what I'd do... probably continue in the downward spiral I had been in... And for me personally BP was the 'best' option for now.
Thanks for the advice Pianina!
Just on the topic of scarring - I think I'm noticing some indented scarring (very shallow indents though) as I'm getting older opposed to just hyperpigmentation and I think that's because collagen production slows as you get older. I'm not sure if there's truth to that but it's just something I've been meaning to look into lately.
I don't know a lot about BP and 'proper' scarring (indented or larger scars) but I do think it increases hyperpigmentation 'scarring' - it's definitely annoying to deal with - and just one of the reasons why I'd rather not be using BP... but I can't ignore the fact that it's helping my skin and I'm at a (mental / emotional) point where I just need something to work or I don't know what I'd do... probably continue in the downward spiral I had been in... And for me personally BP was the 'best' option for now.
Moonlitriver - how old are you? My acne didn't scar until I turned 22-23, even the cysts would heal nicely and flat. But two years ago I started using Duac extensively (it includes bp) and I would rub it in my most problematic areas, which later developed shallow scars. I didn't know at that time that bp depletes skin of it's anti-oxidants and generates free radicals that doesn't let the skin heal fast. I thought it would bleach the red spots, but they lasted much longer and ended up with little indentation. That's why I never gave The Regimen a chance, there are other ingredients that are not that harsh and also kills P. acnes bacteria, like salicilic acid.
Anyway, try to take care of that spot and never apply Epiduo there, even if it's a retinoid, it contains bp and will slow down the healing. Try sulfur cream or Retin-a.
Lilly - my scarrings are getting worse each year... If bp works for you, it's great, but don't ever let your skin to dry out. Try lactic acid to increase healing and moist, for me it was a great revelation and had no irritation like I had from other AHAs. But anyway, I wouldn't use bp for too long in life, it's such a harsh chemical. Personally I just can't let myself put something that bleaches fabrics and hair on my skin, even though it's effective killing the bacteria.
Lilly - my scarrings are getting worse each year... If bp works for you, it's great, but don't ever let your skin to dry out. Try lactic acid to increase healing and moist, for me it was a great revelation and had no irritation like I had from other AHAs. But anyway, I wouldn't use bp for too long in life, it's such a harsh chemical. Personally I just can't let myself put something that bleaches fabrics and hair on my skin, even though it's effective killing the bacteria.
I never thought I'd end up using BP again - shortly after joining this site I quit the BP I was using because of all the reasons you've said. To me it's not the ideal ingredient to be putting on my skin and I really struggled starting and sticking to the regimen - not because my skin was red or dry or any of those 'typical' reasons people quit the regimen - but because I was still not comfortable with the idea of using BP on my skin again - but like I said, my mental state was just getting worse and worse and BP was the 'lesser of two evils' in a way (I didn't like the risks / side effects possible from the bcps I was looking at taking). I still don't like the idea of using BP. At least I'm starting to get a bit of confidence back and and feeling happier as BP is helping my skin improve. Hopefully one day I'll find an alternative to BP that works for me - but for now I'm sticking with it. Thanks for the tips too I've been using a glycolic based AHA infrequently the past week or so - seems to be going well so far... no complaints anyway. But I'll keep lactic acid in mind too. And I'm making sure my skin is always feeling hydrated - (I basically go to bed with a mask of jojoba oil on)
Hope you find something that helps with your scarring soon! (Has the lactic acid been helping?)
Moonlitriver - how old are you? My acne didn't scar until I turned 22-23, even the cysts would heal nicely and flat. But two years ago I started using Duac extensively (it includes bp) and I would rub it in my most problematic areas, which later developed shallow scars. I didn't know at that time that bp depletes skin of it's anti-oxidants and generates free radicals that doesn't let the skin heal fast. I thought it would bleach the red spots, but they lasted much longer and ended up with little indentation. That's why I never gave The Regimen a chance, there are other ingredients that are not that harsh and also kills P. acnes bacteria, like salicilic acid.
Anyway, try to take care of that spot and never apply Duac there, even if it's a retinoid, it contains bp and will slow down the healing. Try sulfur cream or Retin-a.
I'm 21 and I used the Regimen for a year and a half and now I'm using Epiduo so my poor skin's been exposed to a whole lot of bp in the past 2 years! I've definitely noticed that it makes the hyperpigmentation stick around for longer which is annoying. I have tried salicylic acid before but it did nothing for me.
I will take your advice about the scarring because like I say I have literally no experience of this! I'll try to get hold of some sulfur cream I already have some sulfur soap but presumably that's less concentrated and wouldn't work as well?
Thanks for all your help!
Moonlitriver - how old are you? My acne didn't scar until I turned 22-23, even the cysts would heal nicely and flat. But two years ago I started using Duac extensively (it includes bp) and I would rub it in my most problematic areas, which later developed shallow scars. I didn't know at that time that bp depletes skin of it's anti-oxidants and generates free radicals that doesn't let the skin heal fast. I thought it would bleach the red spots, but they lasted much longer and ended up with little indentation. That's why I never gave The Regimen a chance, there are other ingredients that are not that harsh and also kills P. acnes bacteria, like salicilic acid.
Anyway, try to take care of that spot and never apply Duac there, even if it's a retinoid, it contains bp and will slow down the healing. Try sulfur cream or Retin-a.
I'm 21 and I used the Regimen for a year and a half and now I'm using Epiduo so my poor skin's been exposed to a whole lot of bp in the past 2 years! I've definitely noticed that it makes the hyperpigmentation stick around for longer which is annoying. I have tried salicylic acid before but it did nothing for me.
I will take your advice about the scarring because like I say I have literally no experience of this! I'll try to get hold of some sulfur cream
Thanks for all your help!
Hope that you make sure to apply sunscreen whenever you're exposed to sun! Prolonged use of bp + uv beams can promote premature aging.
I started using a cream with beta glucan, which stimulates immune repair, boosts collagen and makes the skin heal quicker. A very good product, been using it in winter mostly on my forehead and it improved a lot. But there's no use to take it together with bp as they would cancel each other.
Hope that you make sure to apply sunscreen whenever you're exposed to sun! Prolonged use of bp + uv beams can promote premature aging.
I started using a cream with beta glucan, which stimulates immune repair, boosts collagen and makes the skin heal quicker. A very good product, been using it in winter mostly on my forehead and it improved a lot. But there's no use to take it together with bp as they would cancel each other.
Don't worry I certainly do! I've always had pale skin that burns easily anyway so it's always been a force of habit, I've just increased the spf I use since starting on the bp.
I'll remember what you say about that cream for if I ever stop using the bp and in the meantime I'll try to get hold of the sulfur cream you mentioned.
Skin was doing REALLY well until I decided to mess it up of course! I've had this clogged pore right below my eye for a few weeks now and it's been bothering me, so I tried to extract it. Of course it turned into this big mess when originally it was hardly noticeable at all. So now I have this big red mark on my face. But whatever. By next week it'll look much better, just needs time to heal. On the plus side, my Spiro is helping a lot I think. I'm really enjoying this medication.
Had to get my ID today, looked like somebody threw up on a peice of plastic. I don't care for this life, the only time where I enjoy life is when I'm asleep not conscious of anything.
Feeling like an idiot for picking at a breakout on my cheek. I knew I shouldn't have done it but did it anyway. And now it's so much more red and noticeable. But at least I didn't go on a 'binge' and managed to stop at the one spot. Hopefully it's looking better by morning. And also hoping my skin will improve a little (that the new breakouts on my cheek will have gone away) by monday... I'm supposed to be having a group graduation photo for my uni degree and I'd feel better going in to it if those new breakouts had gone away. The new breakouts on my right cheek are bigger / more like the type of acne I used to get before the regimen...
Had to get my ID today, looked like somebody threw up on a peice of plastic. I don't care for this life, the only time where I enjoy life is when I'm asleep not conscious of anything.
i feel you brother. Sleep is the only real enjoyment in my life right now. When Im awake, its just depression/obsession/compulsions. There's got to be a better way...
