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When I was in middle school I began to have moderate acne, and went on Accutane for four months in the eighth grade. After that, my skin was perfect from eighth grade up until this year (I'm a senior about to graduate). I used Differen and Duac for four years.
A couple of months ago, I went on vacation with friends, got majorly sunburned and redfaced, and broke out pretty badly. In retrospect, the breakout was very very mild compared to what I have now.
I started on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for cramps a couple of weeks after returning from vacation, and also started using a Tretinoin and Duac combination a couple weeks after vacation too.
I don't know if it was the IB from the birth control or from the Tretinoin or from both, but my face now has horrible, moderate to severe cystic acne.
This is terrible for my self esteem. In the four years that I was 100% clear, I was able to look in the mirror and feel good about myself. Now I don't let anyone see me without foundation and other makeup on.
I avoid pool parties where I won't be able to wear makeup and other events where I will be in the sun and my acne will be brought out.
I have been on birth control and Tretinoin for about 7 weeks now, and I know I should give it more time. I'm graduating in a few weeks and feel like my skin will only go downhill from here.
Can someone give me advice as to how to cope with the psychological and emotional effects of this kind of acne? I have never felt this shitty about myself and all I do is look at pictures from when my skin aws 100% cleara nd want to cry.
Dear Princess..I totally understand how you feel. Im using tretinoin now...im on my third week and its quite unbearable to see how i look in the mirror. I avoid going out alot and really just pray this is its initial breakout and will get better. have you talked to your dermatologist? what did they say? i think the best thing to do is go back to the dermatologist and make sure this is what is supposed to be happening. the thing about tretinoin is supposedly it takes atleast three months to really show results. i know as far as myself it has caused my whole face to be broken out in whiteheads. I hope things get better for you soon...and me as well..lol but know u are not alone.
DUDE. I am 32 years old and I can NOT get rid of acne. I got by for a long time without any serious scarring, but that is OVER and now I AM SCARRED UP. SO SICK OF THIS. IT HAS RUINED MY LIFE. ACNE IS THE WORST. I used to be really good looking but now I am not. I feel like my only dating options are girls with acne and scarring now, which really doesn't bother me too much, but I don't see any anywhere. Where do you all hide at? probably at home where I hide. SUCKS. we need an underground society or something. we should create a city where we can all go and live and enjoy our lives together. I'm joking, but seriously.
Well, tretinoin made me breakout in cystic acne when I used it. That's what it does to most people, especially if you have closed comedones. Birth control alters your hormones so I'm sure it caused an initial breakout too.
Are you using the cream version of tretinoin or the gel? I had a bad experience with the cream version and some other people do too. I hear the gel tretinoin is way better. Never tried it myself but maybe ask your derm to switch you to the gel version.
One thing that really helps cystic lesions is to ice them 20 mins a day. A lot of times they will completely flatten. After you wash your face and put on your topicals start icing the pimples. In a few days you should notice improvement.