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My skin looks disgusting. I have hundreds of tiny little comedones all over my forehead, I have blackheads on my nose and chin. Although I'm on retin-A 0.1%, I still get a couple of occasional inflammatory cysts. I have red marks all over my cheeks. I have a few shallow pitted scars too.
The retin-A caused superficial chemical burns and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation around my mouth so I only use it on my forehead and cheeks which seem to tolerate it better. But it hasn't helped with the comedones at all. I don't know what's causing the comedomes.. I don't have a fringe, I don't use makeup, I don't even use a moisturizer. I put nothing on my skin, and yet I have all these little comedones, almost looks like a rash
I'm going to continue the retin-A.. The doctor also prescribed me epiduo gel (adapalene/benozyl peroxide combined) but i don't know if that'll help. I'm on a dairy and added sugar free diet.
Will birth control pills (diane-35 which has cyproterone acetate - an antiandrogen) help ? should I ask my dermatologist for isotretinoin/accutane? Will that clear up my skin in a month?
I need something that works fast, please help.. Acne can't be covered with makeup... I want to look good for my big day.
This is what my forehead looks like (not my picture, but it looks similar ) 
i don't think starting any new regimen is wise so close to your wedding. Maybe it may help to get a facial and have someone do extractions of your acne is of the non-inflamed variety. Hang in there and congrats.
Makeup can do wonders so don't let this detract from your day. BTW, how long have you been using retin-A
i don't think starting any new regimen is wise so close to your wedding. Maybe it may help to get a facial and have someone do extractions of your acne is of the non-inflamed variety. Hang in there and congrats.
Makeup can do wonders so don't let this detract from your day. BTW, how long have you been using retin-A
Hi Leelowe,
That sucks 🙁 Is 4 weeks not enough time to do anything significant? I should have started earlier! I went to the dermatologist three months ago and I was prescribed retin-A 0.05% and then 0.1%. I have been using the 0.1% for a month on my forehead and cheeks. The acne has decreased in severity but it's still there - especially the tiny little comedones. I thought retin-A would clear up my face, but it hasn't, it has only caused more issues (with the hyperpigmentation around my mouth for which I have to use hydroquinione)
Leelowe - I read that you are on accutane? How long did it take to work for you?
You could use salicylic acid. You could also go on isotretinoin immediately. 4 weeks may be long enough to see good improvement with comedonal acne. If you're really serious about this, I would recommend:
1. Isotretinoin 20mg/day - you should try to get this asap, as you will need to take blood tests
2. Dietary modification
Include:
- fish and other whole cuts of meat grilled or baked
- fruits
- vegetables (not including potatoes)
- rice in moderation
- eggs in moderation
- healthy fats (such as coconut oil and butter; olive oil is okay, but in moderation)
- nuts in extreme moderation
Avoid especially:
- Wheat (pasta, bread, pancakes, pastries, commercial sauces, etc)
- Added sugars as well as fruit juices
- Oxidized (read:cooked) unsaturated oils, such as sunflower oil, canola oil, soybean oil, etc
- Beans/legumes (peanuts are a legume)
3. Salicylic acid 2% topical wash. If you are on accutane, I would use this only once every 3 days or so, and wash the other days with warm water only. Using this too much while on accutane will probably overly irritate your skin. Do not wash before the big day, but do a nice thorough steaming and salicylic acid cleanse 2 days before so your skin has time to heal. I like the grapefruit scrub. It has beads in it, which some people don't like, but it has been one of the very few products that has actually worked well for me in my long quest for clear skin.
4. Moisturize when needed. I would recommend CeraVe cream. Accutane will probably make your skin peel for the first few weeks.
If you do these four things, your skin will almost definitely be better in 4 weeks. Diet can be hard, but you have something to motivate you.