This is my first post. I just had a few questions about my skin/how I'm treating it and was looking for suggestions on how to do it better. The main problem with my skin is all the red scars the acne leaves behind, whether I pop/pick at them or not. About that, however, I was wondering the proper strategy for white-capped acne (pustules maybe?). And how do I reduce scarring and fade and reduce the redness of the scars already there? One irritant to this may be that I drive to and from school 45 minutes each way with the sun on my face.
I have been trying to avoid excess dairy or wheat intake and only drink water and orange juice. I think this might not be enough, though.
Lastly, I believe that I am overwashing my face and was wondering if this could be harmful. I have tried to decrease my regimen lately. I thoroughly wash my face in the morning and at night with multiple washes and cleansers, Oxy pads, toner, and a prescription clindamycin phosphate topical solution. When I get home from school I'll usually use one wash or an Oxy pad. Could all this be increasing the redness of my scars? And what can I do to reduce them long-term and temporarily?
I've attached pictures below. For the one with my medication, I would typically use two or three of the washes twice a day, sometimes the Oxy pad and toner, and the prescription clindamycin phosphate topical solution twice a day, followed by acne moisturizer because my skin really dries out over night and after washing. Should I be using different medication or less? Any diagnosis you can gather from the pictures at all would be great. I would like to quickly start clearing my skin up because I have a dance in four days. Any answers to any questions or suggestions you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Also, is my acne mild, moderate, or severe?
Have you seen a dermatologist? I would try the regiment on this website if your going to try over the counter stuff. Best bet would be to see a dermatologist though. Dont over wash your face. I would only face twice a day with a cleanser. Those products your using may be aggravating your acne even more. As for redmarks in time they will fade
As said, you should go and see a dermatologist. He/she can prescribe you some oral antibiotics.
In the mean time, check what is actually in those products you're using, and don't go mental with the facewashes & pads- I used to, and have seen a big improvement since simply splashing my face with water morning & night- your acne looks very red and irritated. Acne is caused by the skin itself- not by dirt on it.
In my opinion, you should just use a simple facewash gently morning & night & get yourself some Benzoyl Peroxide- it's very effective for acne that is not-too-deep (The one from this website or I use Quinoderm 5). Then maybe use the benzoyl morning & Clindamycin night. The best tool you have against acne is perseverance- it will take weeks to clear up.
I have to tell you that you're not going to see a change in 4 days though. Sorry!
Went to the dermatologist. He prescribed some 10% BP wash, minoclycine pills (2 a day), and Ziana (Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%) gel. He said to not expect results for 8 weeks Anyways, starting getting bumps on nose and chin and expecting them to really start breaking out. Any tips?
No improvement since first post, only getting worse. Hating my skin.