Thanks so much for the info. As of now, I have only applied azelaic acid into the acne-prone areas of my skin. I'm afraid to spread it to my whole face. It's bad enough I have facial redness (not rosacea!) and have another due to azelaic acid. So far I have no itchiness (Thank God!), though the areas I've applied the medication are starting to redden and becoming quite obvious. Naturally, my scars aren't that visible at least within a foot away. But when you take a closer look, you can definitely see them. And it literally bugs me! Because of acne, I became vain and self-conscious about my appearance. I really like to commit 6 months treatment of azelaic acid, since I'm seeing improving results. My acne scars to shrink and my skin starts to peel at a mild and tolerable level. Thanks again for the info.

6 months is perfect to see if its worth it, but further clearing will happen beyond 6 months if you're anything like me so even if its not perfect yet after 6 months, if it has helped significantly then see what happens if you stretch it for another few months on top.

x

does finacea enlarge pores, or cause any issues? What about having an initial breakout?

OMG! How are you planning to treat your scars? I also have scars but not that severe as you think it might be. Oh BTW, I did a little research about Azelaic acid (I even insisted my mom to buy me the cream!), it seems that some side effects include redness, itchiness and (excessive?) peeling of the skin? And that it is strictly suggested to only use it on acne-prone areas but not necessarily the whole face? How true. Did you experience those during your treatment?

 

I documented my experience quite well in my log but it is long...

 

I did experience redness, it takes a long time for your skin to get used to the treatment so you need to be patient but persistant with it.

 

I always know my acne medication is working when my dead skin starts to come off on my towels. Your skin adjusts to it in the end and any skin shedding is not normally noticable after your skin is totally used to your routine... again this takes months.

 

I do still experience some tingling/itchyness just after the application but its only a little and doesnt last long and its just my neck where I feel it.

 

I use the treatment on the areas where I get acne only, but I spread it a little around that area aswell just to make sure I am covered.

 

basically commit to at least 6 months treatment. Start with once a day then once your skin has gotten used to that, if you feel the need, increase to twice a day. Always wash the skin before applying finacea.

 

As for my scars, as I said I am actually a little attached to them as tattoo type reminders of my experience... but I am using clinique skin tone even-ing product to deal with areas of hyperpigmentation. I could do more about my scars and I may look into it once I have been clearer for longer.

 

Hope that helps xx

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the info. As of now, I have only applied azelaic acid into the acne-prone areas of my skin. I'm afraid to spread it to my whole face. It's bad enough I have facial redness (not rosacea!) and have another due to azelaic acid. So far I have no itchiness (Thank God!), though the areas I've applied the medication are starting to redden and becoming quite obvious. Naturally, my scars aren't that visible at least within a foot away. But when you take a closer look, you can definitely see them. And it literally bugs me! Because of acne, I became vain and self-conscious about my appearance. I really like to commit 6 months treatment of azelaic acid, since I'm seeing improving results. My acne scars to shrink and my skin starts to peel at a mild and tolerable level. Thanks again for the info.

 

wait so you only applied finacea to acne prone areas because it can worsen other areas? Is this true?

OMG! I'm happy for you. You were able to conquer your struggles with acne. Hope I can do the same for me. I've been battling acne ever since college. Though most of my acne are gone, there are still some and especially the scars. I hate it. What's even worse whatever topicals I use, I still have mild redness, though some of them claim they reduce facial redness. I aim to have a clear and smooth face like yours. I'll make a thorough research about azelaic acid. Once again, I'm happy for you. PS. Enjoy your acne-free sexlife.

 

I have to admit I still have a little redness around my neck because the skin around our necks are more sensitive and I have not been using azelaic acid there twice a day for as long as I have on the rest of my body.. my neck skin seems to be getting used to the second application now though and the mild redness is calming down. I have scars now and I see them like tattoos, They remind me of the journey I have been through and make me greatful for my recovery. I am lucky they arent on my face though.. I think I'd feel differently if they were

 

yea no kidding, face scars suck ass

I said "i'm sorry, I don't want to seem rude but I read on pubmed that antibiotic resistant acne bacteria are often spread by dermatologists so if you touch my skin could you put some gloves on please"

i am little bit confused about this part. So if a derm touches your face without properly washing hands (This has happened to me before, unless they washed before walking into the room), you can get resistant to antibiotics that treat acne?!

Thanks so much for the info. As of now, I have only applied azelaic acid into the acne-prone areas of my skin. I'm afraid to spread it to my whole face. It's bad enough I have facial redness (not rosacea!) and have another due to azelaic acid. So far I have no itchiness (Thank God!), though the areas I've applied the medication are starting to redden and becoming quite obvious. Naturally, my scars aren't that visible at least within a foot away. But when you take a closer look, you can definitely see them. And it literally bugs me! Because of acne, I became vain and self-conscious about my appearance. I really like to commit 6 months treatment of azelaic acid, since I'm seeing improving results. My acne scars to shrink and my skin starts to peel at a mild and tolerable level. Thanks again for the info.

 

6 months is perfect to see if its worth it, but further clearing will happen beyond 6 months if you're anything like me so even if its not perfect yet after 6 months, if it has helped significantly then see what happens if you stretch it for another few months on top.

 

x

 

My azelaic acid is already half a tube left. So far, I'm seeing the side effects (i.e, tingling sensation, redness and skin peeling) but it has some benefits to it. My acne are either shrinking in size or completely gone. I also read somewhere that azelaic acid is also good for the scars, so I'm also applying it to them as well. The only thing I'm scared of using azelaic acid over a 6-month period are its side effects. I'm self-conscious as it is. But yet Beauty has its price. LOL

My azelaic acid is already half a tube left. So far, I'm seeing the side effects (i.e, tingling sensation, redness and skin peeling) but it has some benefits to it. My acne are either shrinking in size or completely gone. I also read somewhere that azelaic acid is also good for the scars, so I'm also applying it to them as well. The only thing I'm scared of using azelaic acid over a 6-month period are its side effects. I'm self-conscious as it is. But yet Beauty has its price. LOL

The side effects should reduce with time, especially if you are consistant. I found I need 6 tubes a month for my whole back, arms, chest, neck and face so I make sure to order that much ahead of time. Luckily I can put it all on the same prescription so thats just £7.20 for 6 tubes : )

My azelaic acid is already half a tube left. So far, I'm seeing the side effects (i.e, tingling sensation, redness and skin peeling) but it has some benefits to it. My acne are either shrinking in size or completely gone. I also read somewhere that azelaic acid is also good for the scars, so I'm also applying it to them as well. The only thing I'm scared of using azelaic acid over a 6-month period are its side effects. I'm self-conscious as it is. But yet Beauty has its price. LOL

 

 

The side effects should reduce with time, especially if you are consistant. I found I need 6 tubes a month for my whole back, arms, chest, neck and face so I make sure to order that much ahead of time. Luckily I can put it all on the same prescription so thats just £7.20 for 6 tubes : )

 

So what you're saying is with consistent use of azelaic acid, the side effects would minimize? But doesn't it make the side effects be aggravated even more? Whoa. 6 tubes per month. For me, not a month passed by when I already have half a tube left. I am definitely in need of more. LOL. Oh yea, please follow me on twitter girl. LOL. Thanks so much.

@pathetic_26

Definately, your side effects should minimise if you are consistent. They will increase at first but yoyr skin should adjust if you take it slow. For example I started with a once a day application and I have increased it to twice a day over the course of months.

Great log crystal_willow! So glad finacea worked so well for you. I was able to get my derm to prescribe it to me, it's a real shame that it's not as popular as retinoids. I came across finacea after realizing that my serum had 2% azelaic acid, and it did a great job when I first started using it, but kind of stagnated after a while. I'm hoping that finacea, being 15%, will be able to push my skin even further when it comes to treating blackheads, minor inflammation, and PIH! Do you think it helped to prevent blackheads, and did it help minimize pore size? Thanks willow, and congrats again

@pathetic_26

Definately, your side effects should minimise if you are consistent. They will increase at first but yoyr skin should adjust if you take it slow. For example I started with a once a day application and I have increased it to twice a day over the course of months.

Cool. Thanks for the tip. Will definitely keep that in mind.

@Weelassie1984

Are you are there isn't an equivalent product in Holland (Azelaic acid?) also I think you can get it in Germany if thats any help...

Yeah, but I want the brand name (Finacea/Skinoren/Azelex)... I don't like the thick cream base.

Also, Dutch dermatologists don't really subscibe it very often.

Do you have new pics of your face?

@tim12

hey, had a peek at your log and glad to see its helping you aswell, I do now need to start looking ay my lifestyle and diet again for the health of ...well me.. and my skin. I am glad to find a topical which keeps me clear so I dont have to have a restrictive diet... just a healthy one now (god it takes some will power to cut out wheat for 6 months!...I'm so glad I am eating it again)

New pic as requested... this was taken on the 6th of may.... I've been doing twice a day applications for a while now so I think my skins even better than this now but I still think this pic is pretty representative....

Your skin looks fantastic

Thank you! Truly, Finacea is my favorite topical. Although for me personally, it can't control my acne like diet/lifestyle does, it's probably the most effective topical I have ever come across for my skin. I can't believe how even my skin has started to look, it really helps accelerate skin cell turnover like a madman The eveness, soft texture, and other benefits so soon, to me, really makes me appreciate treating acne from the inside and outside! Don't worry, you don't need to do some big overhaul of your life at once, try taking baby steps! I've been on this journey for 8 months, it started with supplements, cutting out some junk food here and there, adding in green smoothies, fixing my sleep schedule, eating nutrient dense foods, you get the idea

Congratulations again!

@tim12

My general plan is to just try to eat a balanced diet and drink water, get exersize and enough sleep. I have a habit of over analysing things and used to really focus on diet and when my skin was bad I started experimenting with diets effect on acne......(pretty much felt it was the only thing I could control at the time and nothing else was working) and I started ensuring I ate certain things and cut out certain other things......... so now I think if I manage to eat a balanced diet and drink water, get exersize and enough sleep.. I think I'll be onto a winner with my skin too.

Yes, I used to obsess too, and it does make things worse! That's why I'm a firm believer in making gradual changes. It sounds like you're well on your way to health already

On a side note, don't you hate how expensive finacea is

Your skin looks gorgeous!

OMG! Loving your skin!! I don't see any scars! How'd you do that?

@tim

I am lucky and my doctor writes mine up as one prescription per month making the cost A7.20 a month (6 tubes). Thankyou NHS : )

@weelassie1984

Thankyou muchly!!

@pathetic_26

I feel very lucky, I mean I do have scars but you can hardly see them..... I am so pale that they are not very visable.. especially not on camera. I have a few very mild pitted scars around my jawline butt hey are very very mild.... My chest is actually covered in pale raised scars but again they are mild and the colour is almost identical to my skin.... I normally heal really slowly but apparently if I give myself time I heal very well.

Finacea does peel your skin so maybe that helped with the scarring... the thing that bothers me most is my spot of hyperpigmentation on my cheek.

Oh my! You're so lucky. My scars aren't also that visible on camera as well except when you take a closer look of course. I have ice pick scars and I think some larger ones than the ice pick scars (I forgot the name). I've been looking for ways to get rid of them. They're not so deep so I think they'll disappear, I just don't know when. Enjoy your seemingly clear skin.

outbreak... nooooo

I had an outbreak of individual spots during a time of stress, my period and my boyfriend, at the same time, had to go to another area for a few days so my back didnt get done properly. I broke out a little on my face, chest and back : (.

I have decided that since my chest keeps playing silly b*ggers I will add that to the areas that need a twice daily application. My skin is going back to normal now... I had stopped doing yoga so I am doing more stretches again and also I have added a physical activity to my regimen.... roller skating!

smooth skin is returning.. sorry i took no photos and the acne is pretty much gone now within a week.

Guess we all have bad days.

Also I had started to reintroduce other products - jojoba oil and conditioner.... I have stopped using these again. Seems they may affect me with continuous use so conditioner is for exceptional circumstances and jojoba will be restricted to massage use only.

crystal_willow,

Thank you so much for making this blog! My dermatologist put me on Finacea about a month and a half ago, and I was thinking of stopping because I'm not seeing the results I guess I was expecting to see by now. But I think I'll stick with it for a little while longer... I guess one good thing is that it definitely hasn't made my skin worse.

My skin has always reacted well to AHA+. Do you think it would be a bad idea to mix this into my regimen? I'm also on a topical antibiotic, but I really think it's useless. I've been using Tea Tree Oil as a spot treatment and it's AMAZING.

Anyway... thanks again!

@breakthehabit8

Its great you are going to be persistant - thats my main focus of my log is so people don't lose hope. I used benzoyl perooxide with my finacea in the early days and gave mysefla chemical burn so be careful with the AHA.

Mostly I would say look at whether your skin is ready to have a twice daily application yet?

My one wish is that I did this sooner cause it made a big difference. But I know in the early days my skin was not ready for this.

Hope this helped

General Update:

................................................................................

My outbreak hasgone, I am being more persistant again with my applications and more generous aswell so thats good.....

Complacency is a problem lol, watch out for that!