1. Acne History (skip if you aren't interested!)
Since turning 13, I've had acne all my life. During those early teenage years, I didn't think much of it. The problem areas consisted of Forehead (severe) and the nose area (moderate).
Using the OTC "nature's cure tablets," I managed to clear up from about 17. I had a one or two small odd spots around my mouth area due to shaving, but acne was largely an irrelevant part of my life from 17-20.
Then @ 20, after an event that I guess flipped out my hormones ("first experience"), I started flipping out in unprecedented levels. Within about 4 months, my face was completely covered with Cystic acne.
I then went to Korea for summer, and amazingly, just being there prevented cysts from growing. I don't know what it is about Korea, it always prevents me from having cysts but always reddens my face. Perhaps it's the pollution levels in the air, or it's less humid than GA, but who knows.
Once I came back to the US to continue my 3rd year of college, the acne breakouts became super severe. Cysts sizes were at unprecedented levels. I'd have about 5-6 of it on my front cheeks on both sides and also on my jaw lines. However, I never broke out on the forehead. After suffering from severe acne for about 5 months, I went accutane.
While on accutane, I cleared up amazingly. I only took accutane for two months because I was clearing and was having insane side effects.
However, after about 4 months after I got off of Tane, very small odd looking zits that were poppable on instant began to form.
It was then (6 years ago), i decided to go on the regimen. (OCT 2006). However, because of my weak skin due to accutane, my face was red like a tomato. Not only did my accutane weak skin not help but I did NOT use any moisturer.
Amazingly, while looking like this tomato, I would NOT break out. This is when I realized the DKR worked for me. However, I thought the timing was off because of my accutane skin.
Then I suffered from few odd spots here and there but just lived life. After graduating from college in 2007, I went to Korea for work. I was there for three years. Acne was there, but as Korean weather always does, I did not have a single cyst during these three years, just bunch of little ones and redness in the country.
From 2010, I returned to the states. My forehead then began to break out with a million small zits that were just regular skin colored (weird..). I said whatever. However, from 2010 to 2011 my skin gradually became "bad."
Then in 2012, Cystic breakouts began to come back but only on my jaw & mouth area. After seeing this for about 4-5 months, I decided to give DKR another chance.
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2. The Regimen.
I am on,DAY 5.
The regimen cleared up my forehead filled with little zits that are skin colored. Now my forehead is looking pretty good and it's just got the dead zits that are simply going to fade.
As far as the cysts go, they're dying. I've had a few new breakouts (1-3 pimples) since getting on the DKR.
My problem is severe flakiness and some redness.
I plan on getting jojoba oil today. I also plan on switching my shaving blade to what Dan recommends instead of my 5 blade razor.
I also was in too much of a hurry (because I knew DKR works for me from 06) so I just started with "twice the dime sized BP" twice a day. I think I may have gone too fast. Hence, starting yesterday, I am applying BP once a day. The other time I am simply cleansing and moisturizing.
Well good luck all of you !
DAY 10.
Jojoba saved my life. I have ZERO flakiness and my redness is minimal (though it is definitely still there).
I've had small breakouts since. No new cysts. First time in a while I managed to have 2 weeks straight without a cyst.
Forehead had two new zits. Nothing to really bring me down. After all, I've been dealing with cysts all my life, zits don't do anything to me.
I also changed shaving blades. I bought Gillette Trac II as advised but while it took 2 days of getting here I just bought the Gillette everyday shaves or whatever. (the one that comes in a blue bag and Dan recommends as the 3rd best option). And wow, I must admit, the 4-5 blade razors were SO irritating compared to these simple 2 blade shavers. 2 blade blades do wonders and do not irritate at all.
Here are some pics! (I look oily as hell because I just finished applying moisturizer+jojoba)
DAY 135
Acne has been completely gone since about Day 90 or so. Since then, my old scars have been just healing.
Quite alarming though, the scars are healing at a much slower rate than they should. Perhaps it's the BP, but the old marks on my side cheeks still remain somewhat.
Other than that however, I have not had a breakout since the beginning of March. The regimen has been worth every penny and more. Although I've ruined a couple of expensive shirts due to BP, the nice skin has been all worth it.
Good luck to all, next update to come with pictures.
DAY 213
Acne has been gone for a long time and the scars have healed basically 95%.
Too lazy to post the blog.
This treatment has been miraculous, I mean, look how uneventful this blog is.
Probably not updating any further but I'll be glad to answer any questions! Good luck to all.
Thanks Randall!
Came back to update further I suppose.
It's been 10 months since I chose to go on DKR. I cleared up in March, and am clear now.
I have like three spots that have not perfectly healed yet, and by that I mean 100%, they're about 95% healed and really aren't distinguishable from my clear tones.
DKR is a life-saver. Given my skin is still so oily though, I don't think I can come off of the DKR anytime soon. It's amazing how oily my face is yet I don't break out at all.
Good luck all