Week 15 - WOW It's been awhile! Sorry I haven't been able to update every week, school you know.

Anyways, my update really consists of that fact that my skin is how it is now. It has red marks that I have to wait to heal (which is basically EVERYONE who starts an acne treatment) but other than that my skin is okay.

On days where I don't take very good care of my skin, it'll be a little more red and bumpy.

~ This weekend all I've been doing is working on school work so my skin looks really oily and yuck. Cleansing and a shower fixes that easily though.

However, when I do take care of my skin, it looks really good (less red, marks not as dark)

So it really does come down to how you take care of yourself...externally AND internally.

I can say that my skin is getting better very quickly in terms of marks, but I'm also trying my best to be patient.

I'm going to be starting a very simple new mask/scrub that is said to help lighten acne marks and treat acne.

It consists of:

- Green tea leaves

- Rice flour

- Honey

- Water or Green tea

*If you decide to do this too, remember, it's a scrub so it's best to do it only once-twice a week.

Song of the day ~ All About Your Heart - Mindy Gledhill

"Time is set to heal all wounds."

Week 19 - Hello again! I am happy to say that I am very pleased with the new mask/scrub I tried out a few weeks ago! (the one above) ^

I only used this mask/scrub for a week and my good friend already noticed that it was looking SO much better (in terms of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). She was like, "WOW!! I love what you're doing to your skin! It's a lot better! What are you using?!" She's also a spa specialist so it was nice to hear that from her.

I've kind of but not really changed up my routine and I think it's working out better than the way I was doing it before.

Before, I used to NOT put on moisturizer on the area that I put Differin (being that it was encouraged by my doctor)...but now that my skin is VERY used to it now, I felt like I needed to give my skin moisture; especially in the summer time.

Butttttttt yeah! My skin is doing well and I'm feeling well! The past few months were incredibly difficult, but it's in the past now and I plan on looking forward.

REGIMEN AS OF NOW (Week 19):

Morning:

- LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner

- Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15

- Makeup

Night:

- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Differin Cream 0.1%

- LUSH Grease Lightning Spot Cleanser (areas where there are active breakouts only, which are very small and few and not very problematic at all.)

- LUSH Imperialis Moisturizer

Antibiotic/Probiotic: (once a day)

- Bactrim DS

- Nature's Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic

~~Yes, I got new LUSH products and shopped there once...I'm in love what can I say.~~

Week 23 - Hello to you reading!

I'm not sure if anyone even keeps up with this anymore (it's fine if you don't, I understand completely), but it was originally for me anyways...but yeah. Moving on!

So, my skin is doing well in terms of fading in hyper-pigmentation. Due to the HEAT WAVE, I have been getting various minor breakouts that are still super tiny, but annoying. I have combination skin (very oily t-zone and very dry cheeks...fun right?) so this heat isn't helping at all. I can't wait for fall.

Still redness, but it calms down fairly well now and that makes me happy. It's only red when I exfoliate, cleanse, shower, etc.

Let's face it. I had horrible deep acne. It was painful, and now I'm left with shallow rolling scars. The only way I was to not get rolling scars was if I did not have bad acne...which of course, I did.

It's a bit odd, because my rolling scars were not as apparent weeks before, and now are becoming more and more visible...

Idk if it's just my imagination but I don't know why this is happening?

Is it because I've been exfoliating? Does exfoliating promote more visible rolling/indented scars? I don't know.

Bottom line: Acne sucks. Painful deep acne sucks even more. Hyperpigmentation and shallow rolling scars were my fate! No surprise there!

Anyways, thanks for reading! Leave a comment and/or question related to this topic and I'll reply to the best of my ability.

**same exact regimen and antibiotic/probiotic as week 19**

Week 27 - No real change in skin, same as above!

(Not trying to be lazy, I just don't feel the need to repeat myself).

The only thing that has changed is the fact that I have stopped the antibiotic, Bactrim DS.

I took it for about 4 months, and I think that it's plenty of time...plus it's not good for your stomach.

Overall: Hyperpigmentation (improving every day), a few rolling/shallow scars, minor breakouts from the hot summer.

~ I will say that my skin is becoming less & less red...which is lovely.

REGIMEN AS OF NOW (same):

Morning:

- LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner

- Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15

- Makeup

Night:

- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Differin Cream 0.1%

- LUSH Grease Lightning Spot Cleanser (areas where there are active breakouts only, which are very small and few and not very problematic at all.)

- LUSH Imperialis Moisturizer

**Quick note: School is starting in 2 weeks, so these updates will be even less frequent than they already have been (not that anyone cares, but just FYI).

If there are drastic changes or anything like that, I'll try my best to update! Thanks for reading as always!

Week 27 - No real change in skin, same as above!

(Not trying to be lazy, I just don't feel the need to repeat myself).

The only thing that has changed is the fact that I have stopped the antibiotic, Bactrim DS.

I took it for about 4 months, and I think that it's plenty of time...plus it's not good for your stomach.

Overall: Hyperpigmentation (improving every day), a few rolling/shallow scars, minor breakouts from the hot summer.

~ I will say that my skin is becoming less & less red...which is lovely.

REGIMEN AS OF NOW (same):

Morning:

- LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner

- Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15

- Makeup

Night:

- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Differin Cream 0.1%

- LUSH Grease Lightning Spot Cleanser (areas where there are active breakouts only, which are very small and few and not very problematic at all.)

- LUSH Imperialis Moisturizer

**Quick note: School is starting in 2 weeks, so these updates will be even less frequent than they already have been (not that anyone cares, but just FYI).

If there are drastic changes or anything like that, I'll try my best to update! Thanks for reading as always!

Hi! I've been reading your log and I wanted to ask you if you still use Differin every single night? I've read many Differin success stories, but what I'm nervous about is how to come off of Differin. From my research, it seems that retinoids are effective but only while they are being used, and once they are discontinued, the acne can come back.

I've been using Differin 0.1% lotion for about 6 weeks now, and I THINK it's been slowly helping (I have good days and bad days). I want to give it the full 8-12 weeks to see results, but I also am scared that if it does work, I'll have to keep using Differin for the rest of my life! I don't want to become dependent upon putting such strong chemicals on my face every day

Week 27 - No real change in skin, same as above!

(Not trying to be lazy, I just don't feel the need to repeat myself).

The only thing that has changed is the fact that I have stopped the antibiotic, Bactrim DS.

I took it for about 4 months, and I think that it's plenty of time...plus it's not good for your stomach.

Overall: Hyperpigmentation (improving every day), a few rolling/shallow scars, minor breakouts from the hot summer.

~ I will say that my skin is becoming less & less red...which is lovely.

REGIMEN AS OF NOW (same):

Morning:

- LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner

- Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15

- Makeup

Night:

- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Differin Cream 0.1%

- LUSH Grease Lightning Spot Cleanser (areas where there are active breakouts only, which are very small and few and not very problematic at all.)

- LUSH Imperialis Moisturizer

**Quick note: School is starting in 2 weeks, so these updates will be even less frequent than they already have been (not that anyone cares, but just FYI).

If there are drastic changes or anything like that, I'll try my best to update! Thanks for reading as always!

Hi! I've been reading your log and I wanted to ask you if you still use Differin every single night? I've read many Differin success stories, but what I'm nervous about is how to come off of Differin. From my research, it seems that retinoids are effective but only while they are being used, and once they are discontinued, the acne can come back.

I've been using Differin 0.1% lotion for about 6 weeks now, and I THINK it's been slowly helping (I have good days and bad days). I want to give it the full 8-12 weeks to see results, but I also am scared that if it does work, I'll have to keep using Differin for the rest of my life! I don't want to become dependent upon putting such strong chemicals on my face every day

I'm currently using Retin-A (another topical retinoid) and have been wondering the same thing. I don't think retinoids cause any damage to your skin from prolonged use though. In fact I think a lot of women use retinoids long term to reduce the effects of aging on their skin.

I have a friend who had serve acne all over his face but is now completely clear with absolutely perfect skin, and he used a topical retinoid. He still uses the cream, but maybe only once every two or three days, and gets maybe one small pimple a month. Personally I'll just be happy to get clear skin, and if I have to keep using the cream for a while longer, then so be it.

Week 27 - No real change in skin, same as above!

(Not trying to be lazy, I just don't feel the need to repeat myself).

The only thing that has changed is the fact that I have stopped the antibiotic, Bactrim DS.

I took it for about 4 months, and I think that it's plenty of time...plus it's not good for your stomach.

Overall: Hyperpigmentation (improving every day), a few rolling/shallow scars, minor breakouts from the hot summer.

~ I will say that my skin is becoming less & less red...which is lovely.

REGIMEN AS OF NOW (same):

Morning:

- LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner

- Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15

- Makeup

Night:

- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Differin Cream 0.1%

- LUSH Grease Lightning Spot Cleanser (areas where there are active breakouts only, which are very small and few and not very problematic at all.)

- LUSH Imperialis Moisturizer

**Quick note: School is starting in 2 weeks, so these updates will be even less frequent than they already have been (not that anyone cares, but just FYI).

If there are drastic changes or anything like that, I'll try my best to update! Thanks for reading as always!

Hi! I've been reading your log and I wanted to ask you if you still use Differin every single night? I've read many Differin success stories, but what I'm nervous about is how to come off of Differin. From my research, it seems that retinoids are effective but only while they are being used, and once they are discontinued, the acne can come back.

I've been using Differin 0.1% lotion for about 6 weeks now, and I THINK it's been slowly helping (I have good days and bad days). I want to give it the full 8-12 weeks to see results, but I also am scared that if it does work, I'll have to keep using Differin for the rest of my life! I don't want to become dependent upon putting such strong chemicals on my face every day

Hello! Yes, I still do apply Differin every night, just as a sort of precaution. Because my skin is so used to Differin now, it just feels like a protective layer, rather than drying out my skin. I would say that I don't have to use Differin every night. My skin is very very normal now (especially compared to how it was when I first started) and that I only get very minor breakouts. For those breakouts, I use the LUSH Grease Lightening Spot Cleanser and it works very nicely. It's very gentle and not as abrasive. Although, it might not be as effective on major/bigger breakouts.

Like patrick92 said, women use it for aging purposes as well.

I would say for you, you should continue using it, being that you are 6 weeks in. It's not a bad thing, but it's worth it to continue. If you notice it starts to feel too drying or irritating, use Differin every other night. Technically, it's better to start Differin off with very little product at first, and then gradually start using it every night...but my doctor told me to use it every night when I first used it. Thus, it gave me much dryness and irritation.

But....my acne cleared a lot quicker than it would have if I used it at a slower pace.

Your skin does not have to become dependent on Differin. There are other products out there that will help with your minor breakouts. Differin clears out all of the problems that lie underneath your skin.That's how it works. It is quickening the pace of your acne and bringing all of it out.

It's rough, but I'd say that it's worth it because now I'm not worrying about major breakouts anymore.

With this product...you must be patient.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Week 27 - No real change in skin, same as above!

(Not trying to be lazy, I just don't feel the need to repeat myself).

The only thing that has changed is the fact that I have stopped the antibiotic, Bactrim DS.

I took it for about 4 months, and I think that it's plenty of time...plus it's not good for your stomach.

Overall: Hyperpigmentation (improving every day), a few rolling/shallow scars, minor breakouts from the hot summer.

~ I will say that my skin is becoming less & less red...which is lovely.

REGIMEN AS OF NOW (same):

Morning:

- LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner

- Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15

- Makeup

Night:

- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Differin Cream 0.1%

- LUSH Grease Lightning Spot Cleanser (areas where there are active breakouts only, which are very small and few and not very problematic at all.)

- LUSH Imperialis Moisturizer

**Quick note: School is starting in 2 weeks, so these updates will be even less frequent than they already have been (not that anyone cares, but just FYI).

If there are drastic changes or anything like that, I'll try my best to update! Thanks for reading as always!

Hi! I've been reading your log and I wanted to ask you if you still use Differin every single night? I've read many Differin success stories, but what I'm nervous about is how to come off of Differin. From my research, it seems that retinoids are effective but only while they are being used, and once they are discontinued, the acne can come back.

I've been using Differin 0.1% lotion for about 6 weeks now, and I THINK it's been slowly helping (I have good days and bad days). I want to give it the full 8-12 weeks to see results, but I also am scared that if it does work, I'll have to keep using Differin for the rest of my life! I don't want to become dependent upon putting such strong chemicals on my face every day

I'm currently using Retin-A (another topical retinoid) and have been wondering the same thing. I don't think retinoids cause any damage to your skin from prolonged use though. In fact I think a lot of women use retinoids long term to reduce the effects of aging on their skin.

I have a friend who had serve acne all over his face but is now completely clear with absolutely perfect skin, and he used a topical retinoid. He still uses the cream, but maybe only once every two or three days, and gets maybe one small pimple a month. Personally I'll just be happy to get clear skin, and if I have to keep using the cream for a while longer, then so be it.

I used Retin-A before I used Differin, and it was actually too harsh for me. The smell was weird, and didn't seem to do anything for my skin. But of course, everyone's skin is different.

The journey was tough, but in the end worth it.