I've been using a combination of Aczone (dapsone gel) in the AM, and Ziana (tretinoin and clindamycin) at night, and I'm now wondering if it's time to quit. About a month in I started to get really bad irritation, which I figured was what you call the "initial breakout" that occurs for various reasons, but it's been another month and this hasn't subsided. I have small bumps in places that I never had bumps before, like my forehead, jawline, under my eyes and the sides of my nose. I also get whiteheads all around my mouth and cheeks.

 

I wanted to give this new routine the full 3 months my derm recommended, but I just don't see it getting any better. My skin has always been very sensitive, and gets irritated and red easily. I don't know if my skin will ever be able to adjust, should I just stop and try something else?

 

I can at least compile a pros and cons list of my experience so far:

 

Pros:

-No huge pimples have popped up, which used to be my main problem.

-My blackheads have cleared up, especially on my nose.

-Old red marks seem to have faded a bit, but this may just be due to time.

-Skin might be smoother.

 

Cons:

-Horrible irritation. Bumps everywhere. Some red, some colorless. Forehead, chin, cheeks, nose, under eyes.

-Many annoying little pimples (whiteheads).

-Ziana seems to make my face really red the next day, and emphasizes my red marks.

-I swear Ziana might have also made older scars more visible.

-Worse complexion than I had before.

-I'm very discouraged, can't wear makeup with the medicine so self-esteem at an all time low.

 

Some skin types simply can't handle Ziana everyday. Personally for me, any retinoid use more than every 3 days leaves my skin too inflamed and irritated to heal. You can still get results by using it once every 3 days.

Thank you for the advice! I was using it every other night, but that obviously wasn't helping the irritation any. Perhaps using it every 3 days would be better for me, which I could try up until my 3 month mark. If my face is still getting irritated at that point, I think I need to accept that it's just too strong for me. If I have to quit, I think I'll try Dan's BP.

have you tried using a moisturizer right after applying the Ziana... I knwo it slightly reduces the effectiveness but it also helps with sensitivity issues.

*DESPERATE FOR CLEAR SKIN BY APRIL 1 2015 - GOING ON VACATION*

Hi there. I am a 16 year old female on ziana and 100mg minocyline every night. Last year i achieved beautiful skin after 3 months on epiduo and doxycyxline but I became resistant so the derm switched it up. However I am 2.5 months into the ziana regimen and am not pleased. I haven't seen any improvement honestly and have just recently gotten huge cysts on my naturally clear forehead.... I get so hopefull from peoples stories that say after 3 months there skin improves greatly.., but then get very discouraged when I see those posts saying the product didn't work at all. Is it normal to still be on the initial breakout 10 weeks into ziana?

Also: the last month I have been using tea tree oil basically all over my face because I was so desperate to get clear and then applying ziana directly on top.... Just yesterday I read that tea tree oil shouldn't be mixed with a tretinoin (ziana) so I stopped today and will never use it again. Also I have always applied ziana in the morning and night but am now just doing night because I thought the overuse might be contributing to my breakouts. Thoughts?

Regimen: morning: wash with cetaphil oil control foam wash

Apply cetaphil oil control moisturizer

Night: same thing but apply ziana before moisturizer and take 100mg minocycline pill