Hi guys, I'm starting my own doxycycline + differin log here.

I had mild acne in June. Went to the doctor because I have one irritating cyst that refused to go away. Initially, the doctor wanted to prescribe me differin 0.1% only but I felt that topical won't be as effective as consuming drugs. So I asked doctor whether he could prescribe me some drugs and I was given 100mg doxycycline 2x for 2 weeks to reduce the redness. I can't remember exactly whether my skin got better. I didn't stick to using differin for a long duration and used it as a spot treatment instead.

After a month, I developed 3 humongous cysts in close proximity on my cheek. After a week, it didn't calm down. So itchy hands me decide to extract it on my own when I see a whitehead popping out. This is where the nightmare starts. Within a month or two, I started having more acne on my left cheek, (clear on my right). Went overseas and bought some acne facial masks and used it everyday. It broke me out even worse and I started developing inflamed bumps on the whole of my left cheek, which leaves me now with numerous bad PIH. The funny thing is, I have a huge red patch on my left cheek where the cysts were initially. It doesn't look anything like PIH so I'm so confused on how to heal it. On a lucky note, I don't have any icepick scars, but I do have lots of PIH. On and off, I will get a few doxycycline, hoping it calms down my skin.

In Nov, I decided to use differin and stick with it after reading so many successful stories online. Currently on Week 4 differin and my skin feels smoother. I experienced a slight IBO but nothing too serious. Every other day, I will wake up to a couple new pimples. However, my red patch has not calmed down. I gave up and started consuming doxycycline again last week, hoping it will reduce the inflammation.

Currently, week 4 differin, week 2 doxycycline. For week 1 doxycycline, I consumed 2x 100mg capsules, one after lunch and another one after dinner. No side effects for me. My redness has calmed down slightly. After doing some research on doxycycline, I realised that some actually suffer even worse acne after they stop their doxycycline. I was very terrified after reading this and thinking back, I'm not sure whether the cause of my acne is due to this reason. But since I'm starting again, I might as well stick with it till I'm clear. Now, I cut down and take 1 capsule each day. Thinking of tapering off doxycycline once I'm clear and praying that it won't come back.

So yesterday I went for facial and my aesthetician said my PIH is still quite red, and said the cause is probably due to differin. However, while using differin, I did not suffer any redness except for mild peeling and drying of skin. Now I dunno whether to continue differin or stop. I'll probably continue cos I'm on week 4. This time, after my facial, I experienced a burning sensation which I don't usually have and it was bizarre. And my PIH looks more inflamed than before facial. Luckily I'm fine today. Within the night, I have 2 new pimples. Crossing finger that doxycycline will do its job.

In all, I will be sticking to this regime for another month and will update of any new changes to my face.

Cleansing: Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser / Avene Extra Gentle Cleansing Lotion

Toner: Avene Thermal Water

Differin 0.1% to my problem areas

Moisturiser: Avene Skin Recovery Cream

At times, I will skip the last step as I fear that moisturiser breaks me out. Will update weekly (:

UPDATE 1: Hi guys. Like to add that I stopped using differin after 3 days of posting this. It's making me breakout badly at my jawline area. Being very prone to PIH for every single zit, I couldn't afford to have more PIH covering my entire face so I gave up. Not only that, I started having suicidal thoughts and was shivering the whole night when my acne got worse after 3 days. I'm blaming it on the doxycycline. So yes, I made my decision to taper off doxycycline now and stopped using differin. The next day, I had my period which was much earlier than expected so the acne flare up might be due to my raging hormones. After doing some research about preventing acne, I decided to use natural remedy that is anti-bacterial than relying on topical antibiotics. Bought tea tree oil thursday plantation 100% and have been using it on 24 dec and I've seen tremendous improvement. My acne has shrinked and the bump is hardly visible. It dries up really fast! I used to apply TBS tea tree oil when I had occasional zit in the past and it works for me. But maybe because I ran out of it and my face was clear, I didn't repurchase it. I should have bought tea tree oil long ago rather than taking medication! Besides that, I've been using rosehip oil which was my holy grail product back when I had minimal PIH. Due to my current acne prone skin, I didn't touch it for a few months and decided to use it again alongside with my tea tree oil. It seems to have reduce the redness slightly. No major changes cos one can't expect a product to work miracles on my damaged skin now. The red patch at times wasn't that inflamed ever since I've been applying RHO. But I start developing very tiny whitehead which was always washed off after I cleansed my face. When I tried putting a drop of TTO on the patch, it becomes inflamed. TTO is a highly recommended natural spot treatment for existing acne! Several people see success in using TTO on acne scars but I'm not sure about me. I will share my results on another thread if it really works.

As for doxycycline, I've been consuming 100mg every 2 days since 24 dec. I stopped having suicidal thoughts once I stopped having it the next day. If possible, I'm hoping the following week I can change it to every 3 days. I'm also drinking yakult and eating yoghurt on days I'm not consuming doxycycline.

As for my red patch, I'm really unsure whether it's PIH or some other marks caused by damage of blood vessels. If it doesn't lighten after 6 months, I have to spent money on laser treatments. Btw, I'm still a student so I'm now trying to save money for laser. Do PM me if you face the same problem as me. (:

UPDATE 2: I changed my entire routine in Feb 2014. In Jan/Feb, I started having a significant number of whiteheads on my forehead and chin which were previously clear. Jan/Feb was the hardest period to go through due to a new job and an eruption of gigantic sebaceous cyst on chin (with no inflammation and at one point thought it will be there forever if I don't undergo surgical incision) . I was constantly having tension headaches which made it worse. Every other day, I will wake up with new acne and was always stressed about it due to my low self-esteem. Self-declared I was suffering from depression and decided to buy some supplements to avoid stress. Of course the best way to combat stress is to exercise which helps greatly in lifting my mood and temporary eliminating those bad thoughts I have in my mind. After much research, I decided to make a major change in my regime and diet once again which has greatly improved my skin condition. I'm no way near to clear skin yet but I did see tremendous improvement when I looked at the photos from 3 months ago. So, now I like to share with you the regime that could possibly give me back my blemish-free face.

Morning

Cleanser: Himalaya Neem Face Wash

Moisturizer: Jojoba Oil from Heritage Store (2-3 drops) and Neutrogena Stress Control Acne Hydrating Treatment (2% SA) specifically on forehead for the whiteheads

Spot treatment: Clinique Acne Solutions Lotion on active acne (2.5% BP)

Makeup: Guinot Fast Mattifying Concealer on existing acne bumps, Murad Acne Treatment Concealer (2% SA) on PIH, Natio concealer on PIH

Night

Cleanser: Jojoba Oil to remove makeup; Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser to make sure my makeup is completely washed off

Moisturizer: Jojoba Oil all over my face and Neutrogena Stress Control Acne Hydrating Treatment specifically on forehead and chin

Spot Treatment: Acne Magic Powder (similar to MB's drying lotion) on my red patch, Clinique Acne Solutions lotion on active acne, Alpha Hydroxy Oil-Free formula for certain PIH

Supplements

Took StressControl pills from Himalaya for 3 weeks and did experience less stress.

Vit C/Zinc - 200mg/50mg

Neem tablet from Himalaya

Note: As I don't dare to apply the product to my whole face to avoid any breakout, I prefer spot treatment. For those mild cases, I will let it heal naturally and avoid applying on it other than jojoba oil which has worked miraculously for me. I'm so glad that jojoba oil doesn't break me out. And good news is that my red patch has significantly improved and isn't as inflamed as before. Not only that, my sebaceous cyst (apprx 1cm in diameter) is almost completely gone. I tried taking cod's liver oil for 3 weeks and it make me breakout slightly on my previously cleared right cheek so I stopped. For me, I find that zinc really does work on me. While taking zinc, I wasn't left with any terrible PIH which I suffered from badly last year. Like they only leave me mild or no PIH while I was taking it. Now, I'm going to try consuming Vitamin D (1000IU) due to the lack of sunlight exposure and increasing my Vitamin C intake to 1000mg. Also I'm planning to incorporate Green Tea Extract supplements into my diet for its anti-inflammation properties. Will update again when I notice any changes. (: And if it does improve significantly, I will make another post to share the best regime that works for me and might upload photos to show the differences.