Wishing you the best of luck!

Wishing you the best of luck!

Thanks hun, i'l need it.

So on my 2nd day of BP use, using slightly less than the previous day, I started to get bright red splotches in the area around my mouth and jawline and i was itching soooo bad. Not sure if its the eczema again but needless to say, i'll skip BP tomorrow and maybe Saturday. I fear this may be an intolerance to it that has developed from over use of the regimen. I'll try again on Sunday and if it itches again then i may have to call my derm for advice. Waiting for my prescription for Atralin which has to be pre approved by my derm. God, i hope this is not a trend where my skin can't tolerate anything - i don't know where i would turn.

Still itching even with benadryl. I am giving my face a chemical break until at least Sunday. Then i will try atralin to see if the issue is just BP or all products. I have inflamed acne popping out right now - i see 4 on my left side and my mouth/chin right side has several. Under my jaw is irritated as all hell with inflamed acne. I left a message with my derm about the reaction to BP so hoping she calls back tomorrow to see if it is my eczema or just really dry skin reaction. Feeling really crappy ATM. I actually called out from work due to the eczema and i haven't done that in along time.....so disappointed in myself.

The redness has gone down and the scaliness has diminished tons so maybe it really was the BP. In any event, if my face is calm on Sunday, i'll attempt to use Atralin.

So sick of acne and eczema.....grrrrrr

So itching has gone away and eczema has gone away. I think it definitely was the BP as when i washed and moisturized yesterday evening, no sensitivity. I still have not received my acne meds from the pharamcy so technically, i'm at day 0 still. I am breaking out so far and a few have been really big under the skin pimples. I also have one puss filled one on my left cheek. This journey is going to suck, i know that. Going to have to limit my mirror time too. Rest of my face is clogged pores all over. Sigh.....guess there's nothing to do but wait and see

Hope it goes well when you do start!

I agree limiting mirror time can be a big help

Wanted to wish you the best of luck on 4th try.

I limit my mirror time, its something i have been doing for a couple years now. I use 1 mirror only. The same mirror otherwise i just tend to be obsessive with every detail i see in different mirrors and light.

You have the right idea to give yourself a break on the bp-easy does it. I have burned myself from it too many times.

Thanks Lilly and k3tchup. I am hoping that wherever i go next will finally provide me with long term remission. Well, almost 2 weeks since my derm appt i still have yet to receive my prescriptions so hopefully on Tuesday i can make it happen. To remind everyone what may come next:

Atralin/tazorac at night

Klaron lotion in the day

I have used Atralin and Klaron with non impressive results but i have not tried tazorac. I am not sure if my face will be able to deal with any topicals as i developed eczema on BP and when i tried to reintroduce it in small amounts it came back in different areas. I have now been off BP for 3 weeks and i am just using aveeno face soap and neutrogenia moisturizer. I am still getting acne (clogged pores and inflamed acne with pus as well as under the skin acne here and there). I would be lying if i didn't say i was worried when the dreaded post BP breakout would come but i know there is not much i can do for it. I for the most part am eating what's in my signature though i have started to drastically cut back on red meat for over all health purposes. I have also kept up with my green smoothies everyday and i work out 45 mins 3-5 days a week (cardio). I have also recently started drinking warm lemon water in the AM just because.

My face is ok. The eczema is 100% gone. My redness is down a ton and the dry skin though still there is not at regimen levels. My acne is also going away quickly (within the week) and not leaving marks so.....

The weird thing though is that the acne under my jaw has gone for the most part since i stopped putting BP there over a month ago and so has the itching. Makes me wonder if BP was irritating my skin. I have a follow up derm appt June 10th but may push it back as i have not started the meds yet. Will keep you all updated.

On the emotional and spiritual side of things, i am reading the word everyday, fellowshipping with people, going to church, helping others and trying to be a better person. I am also forcing myself to go out and hang out no matter what the condition of my skin is. I did Karaoke again last night and didn't get home till 2:30 this morning. Had a blast!

I'm keeping all of us in my thoughts and prayers that we may get strength for this journey.

So i finally received my prescriptions today so i am mulling if and when to start. I kind of want to hold off using anything till summer vacation at the end of June but i also vividly recall what it was like two summers ago before i had to go on accutane. Eczema also complicates things. The lonely side of being the only one with acne is almost worst than having acne itself.

It has begun..... The chin/mouth area has finally show its true colors and those clogged pores are coming out and turning into pimples. A whole cluster of them on my right side (the bane of existence). Also continuing to experience a few inflamed pimples on other parts of my face. My upper right cheek has hard lumps under the skin that has been there forever so no doubt i will break out there soon enough. I really hate this.

Doing nothing/ignoring acne sucks hard. I am inflamed in areas around my face. Left inner cheek has 3-4 red pimples with incoming pus. Right chin/mouth, smaller red, puss filled pimples, forehead has several puss filled pimples. In addition i have small non inflamed clogged pores. I feel as if the clock has rewinded and i am back to summer 2011 and 2012 feeling like a prisoner in my own body. With God's help i am determined to be out and about and living life even with acne.

I am honestly scared to start topicals because of eczema but i will probably have to soon....boo hoo

So the beauty of having your own blog is that you can pretty much say whatever the heck you wanna say and folks, be fore-warned, a rant is coming.

I hate the behavior of self righteous people. They act like they are better than everyone else and that their ideologies and methods are superb. It bothers me that some people on this site unfortunately have never been taught manners and seem to not to be able to relate to people on a basic human level.

I posted something in the Holistic part of the website (which i am going to stop doing as some of the members there are downright rude and self righteous with their opinions) and while some people gave helpful suggestions in a nice way, some members were just really cut and dry, making it seems as if i am not trying hard enough to get rid of my acne through diet. The funny thing though is that not one of these people have before or after pictures to show their progress. My thing from now on is going to be 'put up or shut up'. The fact of the matter is this, if you don't have photos (proof) to post your success, then don't post. I'm 30 so i'll post this and move on but for the average teenager who struggles and asks a simple question and is made to feel like an idiot, what does that type of behavior do to them?

Anyway, rant done. I think the decent people on this website far outweigh the jerks any ole way

Happy Saturday to everyone

It's been a month off The Regimen and i am getting new bumps, both inflamed and non inflamed everyday.....back to the good ole days.....not. The good thing is that the inflamed acne comes and goes quickly (like 1-5 days) but the non inflamed stuff sticks around and multiplies (it's happening very rapidly on both sides of my chin and mouth area and below my mouth. I am also getting both headless and puss filled bumps here and there on my face. Someone in the holistic section mentioned to do an all out elimination diet and start adding foods back in but i don't want to lose weight like i did before and start freaking out about eating. She suggested just fish and veggies for a few weeks (no meat/chicken, nuts, fruits of any kind). I would of course add sweet potato to that plus as much leafy veggies and carrots as i could. I'll probably start after my groceries run out in a week or so. The good news is that i continue to be active in the gym, go out and be social despite my skin. I won't hide as i usually do - it's not worth it. My honest opinion of diet changes though, i think if its an issue, it should probably clear up pretty quickly - it's been periods of months with different diets and nothing. Maybe i'm just doomed to carry this burden for the rest of my life.

So i was saying that under my jaw/chin was clearing up....well starting to get bumps there.....sigh. Also, acne by right mouth has spread out unto lower cheek in red bumps that have the potential to get extremely inflamed. Also left inner cheek has inflamed acne bump that is headless and large and red. Smaller puss filled bumps are popping up around it on my nose and on the inner cheek. Everyday is another day of worsening. I hate it - beginning to feel like my recurring nightmare of 2011 and 2012. What did i ever do to deserve this? On another note, the acne cluster on my cheeks and the ones that spread out from my mouth came after eating egg products which my allergy test said i was highly reactive to. I had removed eggs in the past with no improvement to acne so i put i back in. Not going to include it for a few weeks to see if it makes a difference. Not expecting much.......feeling so alone right now

So i have been dilligent in doing my NO MIRRORS thing for a few days now and believe it or not, my anxiety has gone down a full 75%!!!!!! Very excited to see if i can keep this up and if the reduced stress will help my breakouts. Yes, i am still getting new acne everyday but not the super inflamed kind (or at least it doesn't feel that way to me when i wash my face). I also started taking 200 mg of magnesium nightly and it makes me relaxed so sleep comes easier. Today i also started juicing which i will do in the A.M. alongside with green smoothies in the P.M. After my batch of Spinach is finished, i'll take a break from it for a few weeks as i am sick and tired of it truth be told. Still not using the topicals the derm gave me but hoping my face holds steady at least until i go on summer break.

i highly recommend no mirrors to anyone who is deeply affected by their acne

So, the dreaded attack of chin/mouth acne has begun and it is ALL OVER my chin and mouth area in different stages of inflammation.....grrrrrr. I have been super duper stressed lately so that may have triggered the severity. On a positive note, my new juicer comes Friday or Saturday so will be up and juicing daily by Saturday night. Another user recommended OD'ing on raw juices so i'm going to try that in addition to my continued exercise and healthier diet. By June 30th, my diet should be 100% implemented. Looking at my face today (it just happened), i felt like crying but then thought, 'if its not gonna help my acne, why do it.'.

I feel like crap and look like crap but that doesn't mean i have to act how i feel.

I have always wanted to try a juicer. I have read good things and believe it would help if not acne but overall health. I would just dread buying groceries as they are becoming more expensive up in my neck of the woods.

Keep us updated on how it goes.

I have always wanted to try a juicer. I have read good things and believe it would help if not acne but overall health. I would just dread buying groceries as they are becoming more expensive up in my neck of the woods.

Keep us updated on how it goes.

Will do. Juicing is not as expensive as people think. The most expensive thing for me was the cost of a juicer which was 100 USD. I was also telling someone that at Trader Joes, the cost of a bag of carrots was 89 cents and organic celery was under $2. Either way, it is worth it for over all health. I tried juicing in 2011 when my acne first returned but i did it for 1-2 weeks and then quit when i saw no results. Reading up on it, i hear it can take several months to see consistent progress so i can't judge my skin on a day to day basis. I have been attempting to avoid mirrors which has been super hard in itself.

How are things with you?

This no mirrors thing is hard, especially when i can feel the bumps....sigh. The good news is that my mindset is much stronger than what it has been in the past so I don't feel as if my world is coming to an end because i am breaking out. As another member stated, you have to look past the daily fluctuations of your skin as it will go up and down with a new regimen. And especially since i had stopped BP abruptly, my skin will be in chaos. I won't lie and say i'm ok with that because i am not but there's not much i can do. Just have to keep keeing on.

On a side note, juicing is going well. Been doing it consistently since Saturday. I have been getting watery stools (TMI- I know) but my friend says that's totally normal. My go to staple has been:

A bag of carrots (app 12 carrots)

1 beet

3-7 celery stalks

1/2 inch ginger.

It's pretty good. I'm still juicing but i must say i do seem to like the juicing a bit more as i hate pulp but i think that both juicing and blending have a place.

Here's to a healthier me.

I have always wanted to try a juicer. I have read good things and believe it would help if not acne but overall health. I would just dread buying groceries as they are becoming more expensive up in my neck of the woods.

Keep us updated on how it goes.

Will do. Juicing is not as expensive as people think. The most expensive thing for me was the cost of a juicer which was 100 USD. I was also telling someone that at Trader Joes, the cost of a bag of carrots was 89 cents and organic celery was under $2. Either way, it is worth it for over all health. I tried juicing in 2011 when my acne first returned but i did it for 1-2 weeks and then quit when i saw no results. Reading up on it, i hear it can take several months to see consistent progress so i can't judge my skin on a day to day basis. I have been attempting to avoid mirrors which has been super hard in itself.

How are things with you?

Things have been really busy for me work and non work related. But hopefully it will settle down after the 4th. I will be in my new place then, work will settle down, and hopefully i can enjoy myself more outside of work.

I have responded well to diluted tea tree oil. Finally had brains this time around and diluted it 10:1. Works wonders along with tretinoin. I would like to use my derma stamp i got from owndoc but am scared because things are going well with this retinoid. I really haven't had to much of a IB. I the only issue is the peeling/flaking with is causing me to look for some sort of exfoliating product, like a cleanser. There is so much out there as far as products these days is scary. Too much choice, not enough cash to try a variety either. I would like to get something chemical, nonabrasive, gentle, not drying and can be used every day, without BHA in it. I found like 2 but they're advertised for women and expensive.

Other than that im doing well. Hope you are too. How is the juicing going?

I have always wanted to try a juicer. I have read good things and believe it would help if not acne but overall health. I would just dread buying groceries as they are becoming more expensive up in my neck of the woods.

Keep us updated on how it goes.

Will do. Juicing is not as expensive as people think. The most expensive thing for me was the cost of a juicer which was 100 USD. I was also telling someone that at Trader Joes, the cost of a bag of carrots was 89 cents and organic celery was under $2. Either way, it is worth it for over all health. I tried juicing in 2011 when my acne first returned but i did it for 1-2 weeks and then quit when i saw no results. Reading up on it, i hear it can take several months to see consistent progress so i can't judge my skin on a day to day basis. I have been attempting to avoid mirrors which has been super hard in itself.

How are things with you?

Things have been really busy for me work and non work related. But hopefully it will settle down after the 4th. I will be in my new place then, work will settle down, and hopefully i can enjoy myself more outside of work.

I have responded well to diluted tea tree oil. Finally had brains this time around and diluted it 10:1. Works wonders along with tretinoin. I would like to use my derma stamp i got from owndoc but am scared because things are going well with this retinoid. I really haven't had to much of a IB. I the only issue is the peeling/flaking with is causing me to look for some sort of exfoliating product, like a cleanser. There is so much out there as far as products these days is scary. Too much choice, not enough cash to try a variety either. I would like to get something chemical, nonabrasive, gentle, not drying and can be used every day, without BHA in it. I found like 2 but they're advertised for women and expensive.

Other than that im doing well. Hope you are too. How is the juicing going?

Good for you. If things are going in the right direction, i wouldn't mess with your regimen. The flaking does get easier with a retinoid. You just have to keep moisturizing well. How long have you been on your regimen?

I know what you mean about way too many choices - one could get lost in all of that too. Glad you are well and congrats about the move. I remembered when i first moved out....what a dream!

Juicing is going well - easy peasy. Can't wait to see some positive results in a few months. Emotionally i'm good - been eating well and exercising too.

Keep in touch

37 days (5 weeks) post BP

So it's been 37 days/5 weeks post BP and here's a legit update with pics. Face is actually not horrendous right now. I have pockets of inflammation around my face but no huge pimples like i did last week so that's good. I am continuing to breakout everyday and I don't expect that to stop, especially since I have no topical acne regimen in place. I am giving this diet thing a go though so hopefully that will help. I've been jucing consistently since last week Saturday and i plan to continue. I also have slowly reduced my meat intake and upped my intake of Salmon. Stress has also gone down this week as opposed to last week. I know this is only the beginning of a bumpy journey but here's to the best. I am restarting the no mirrors thing today so I am challenging myself to not take a peek until Monday June 30th (if i can go on after that, I will).

UPDATE: So I have a cluster of small red pimples with white heads popping up daily on my inner left cheek- I had 6 come up between yesterday and today. It's also starting to happen on my right inner cheek. My pores here are huge and visible in that area so it's not a surprise. I admit that it's quite freaky as they are so red and obvious and seem to be spreading quickly - not sure what is happening. I am trying to be patient with my juicing/diet regimen but i would be lying if i said i didn't just want to say 'to hell with it' and go on with my business. I also don't want to start correlating foods I am eating to this breakout phase as i've added nothing new to my diet. I will admit though that I have been eating a lot of plantain chips and raisins so after this batch is done, so am I for the moment. Feeling very discouraged ATM but going to push through.

The good news is that I have 3 days till summer vacation so Yay for me! My stress level should even out some and my diet should be more stable.

Thanks for all the continued support and good luck to everyone struggling.

Hey I just wanted to say that in those pics you posted the other day I think your skin looks really good!

Hey I just wanted to say that in those pics you posted the other day I think your skin looks really good!

Thanks hun. I love my iphone camera - it flatters everything. ATM i don't have any huge over the top pimples, just a lot of small red and white ones so the camera does a terrible job of picking it up. Definitely taking it one step at a time. How's the accutane course going for you?