I finally worked up some courage to post on this forum. I've been battling acne since my sophomore year of high school. It was just moderate acne, but I got really big, bumpy ones. I wake up with new pimples every day, and just ate at my self esteem. The beginning of this year, it went away. I had clear skin and even my friends complimented me. People I haven't seen in years were amazed as well. They told me I used to have a pepperoni face, but now it looks better. I was proud of myself.
I was never the good looking guy, and having acne makes me feel much uglier. Having girls and friends give me compliments about my appearance made me happy, even though I have so many acne scars all over my face.
For some reason, about around the Begining of November, it came back. I was waking everyday with new pimples on my face. Some of my coworkers even noticed enough to ask me what happened to my face. I don't know what I did to even get this back. I feel like it's eating away my self confidence to even talk to people. I know it's not as severe from my high school days, but I thought once I hit a certain age it'll stop. Right now only using a clean & clear salicylic acid and a benozolyn peroxide wash. It hasn't been working at all and I still wake up with 5-6 small pimples everyday. Sometimes there'll be in one area that will merge and form a big one. I'm desperate that I'm gonna try the regime since it worked wonders for so many people, thing is I leave for military bootcamp in a month and I'm afraid that it won't have enough time to work. It might even make my face worse than better.
Hey,
First of all do not be so hard on yourself. I know how hard acne is to deal with, trust me I do. I think you are a attractive guy even with the acne. I think that self esstem and the confidence you show have a lot to do with each other. If you carry yourself like your confident other people will believe it to. If your walking around feeling sad and down about the hand you were delt it's not very attractive ya know. For example, people in a club or bar the people who are laughing and smiling get more attention, the person quite and somber in the corner doesn't get approached that often. Something to think about.
As far as the Regimen goes, I think it is a great idea to give it a go. It does do great things for other peoples skin even cystic acne which is what your acne sounds like, when you describe it. It is something you need to stick with, it's not likely to see great results in a months time. I'd give it 3 months, just like you give any treatment with acne. As far as how you are currently treating your acne. I would only use one medicated product on your face. If your going to use SA use products that all have SA I wouldn't mix the BP and the SA. The regimen is a BP treatment so if you have results from the BP it is likely that the regimen will work great for you. The first month is usually the hardest for anyone on the regimen if you go and poke around on people's regimen logs you will see this among them. If you can stick it out after the month and you will have a easier time with it.
Hope this helps you a bit anyway
From the photos, it looks like you have cystic acne, like me, and scarring as a result of it.
Clean and Clear is not going to fix or help the problem.
A big part of your acne, I'd imagine, is from hormone imbalances. Usually when guys go through some sort of hormonal change, cystic acne flare-ups are common. Testosterone is to blame. I'd recommend going to the dermatologist and getting on some form of oral antibiotic for it. I'm a girl, so all I needed was to get on the pill to regulate my hormones, I don't know what is available for men. But I hear Accutane works wonders.
For your scars, a dermatologist will always know best...and it's a fairly common problem, I'm sure there is a way to treat it.
As far as an alternative in what you use for your face, I havent had a cystic breakout in 8 months, and here's what I used:
1. Wash with Wexler Resurfacing Microbrasion Step 1: Resurfacing Cream. This facewash is awesome. At $35, It's a little on the pricier side, but worth it. It has teeny little crystals that slough away the dead skin cells and bacteria from the day, leaving you fresh and clean. You can buy online or at Bath and Body Works.
2. Use Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner. Mario Badescu has an entire line against fighting cystic acne...but It has never worked for me, short of two or three products (which I will be listing). One of them being the Glycolic Acid Toner. After washing your face, put some of this Toner on a cotton ball and wipe any excess debris. It costs $18, and I order mine online. I believe the line is also available at Ulta.
3. Wexler Exfoliating Glyco-Peel (2-3x Week)
Also bought at Bath and Body Works.
-This box contains two steps, 1, a container (30 days worth) 10% glycolic peel pads, and a container of Skin Neutralizer pads. Costs in my opinion, the most important steps in the whole routine.
*The glycolic peel pads sound scary, but trust me when I say it won't make your skin peel excessively or anything. It's not drastic, but very, very effective. In fact, it's my second favorite skin-care product, ever. It round-house kicks pimples in the face.
*The Neutralizer pads are important. It counteracts the Gycolic acid, and balances your skin's Ph.
**The directions say to use these pads 2-3X weekly. This depends on how sensitive your skin is. If I feel a breakout coming on, I use them more frequently. If you have sensitive skin, this is your first time with the pads, and you don't want any dry skin to occur, use as directed.
**Word of advice, cut the pads in half! The pads have enough on them to cover your whole face, and you'll save money getting twice the use out of them.
4. Aztec Secret Healing Indian Clay
THIS STUFF IS AMAZING. I use this all the time.
Mix equal parts clay powder with equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar, mix well, and you've got yourself a kick-BUTT facial mask.
Sure, its green and it smells like apple cider vinegar, but I'm not kidding, it's a Godsend.
It quite literally sucks all of the gunk out of your pores. You can feel your face pulsating while its working!
Just leave it on for 20-30 minutes (or until it gets firm, or dry) and wash off.
I also use this as a spot treatment for acne cysts. Just dab on a thick amount, wait for it to dry (or harden) and peel the clay off, then reapply and repeat the cycle until the cyst has come to a head. I last monday used this for a cyst that was coming up, and it had come to a head by the end of the day!
You can buy this for about 5 bucks at Walmart. Seriously, try it.
Other words of wisdom:
Cysts happen when your skin gets clogged, and your over-active oil glands get infected. A big way to prevent clogging is exfoliating your skin!
I personally use the "Body Images Body Benefits Loofah Bath Sponge." It comes in a two pack at walmart for about $3. Use it when you wash your face to scrub away dead skin cells that may be blocking your pores.
Get into a routine of that and you will see a huge improvement!
A lot of people get increased acne in winter because they get less vitamin D3 from the sun.
Sometimes it also is triggered by changes in eating: dairy, sugar, soy, or caffeine are all triggers for acne.
Irregular sleep schedules, sleep deprivation, and stress are additional factors.
Just wanted to add to the sentiment that you are definitely an attractive guy. Giving the regimen a try is probably a good idea. If you find that you still have persistent, cystic acne after this, Accutane may be a good option. If you have not yet tried either of these, then I think there are still a lot of options and still a lot of hope.
Thanks for the kind words, advices, tips, and suggestions! I definitely want to get this regime started.
I've been to the dermatologist before and told me my skin improved. They were giving me some sort of pill that I was taking last year, it worked for the first batch, but stopped working after getting my second refill. They told me accurate isn't even required since mine isn't severe.
I'm trying to go on a strict diet, but don't know what type of diet is good to prevent acne. I'm not even sure if getting my sugar cravings from fruits will have a bad consequence for my skin.