miserablewithmyself 2 Share Posted September 1, 2013 I saw the dermatologist again, and he had me start using cetaphil to wash with, a cetaphil moisturizer and isotretinoin cream. My face hasn't been this bad in YEARS! Every time I use the isotretinoin cream my face turns red and peels off like crazy for about 2-3 days. I keep getting more whiteheads and cysts. Does my skin have to go through this horrible and discouraging "purging" before I start seeing clear skin? Or is this just not the treatment for me? Will my skin forever peel off like this? It hurts. I don't know if the cetaphil wash and moisturizer is doing enough. Please help- I'm so depressed with my skin that I have gotten agoraphobic and can't leave the house. :'( I feel desperate enough to go back to proactiv which 'kind of' helped... anything is better than this! Please help me, what should I do? I feel like my skin is out of control and I am suffering with horrible anxiety and depression. How long will this isotretinoin cream make my skin so irratated? Should I stop the cetaphil and iso cream and go back to benzoyl peroxide or salicyclic acid again??? I need my skin to clear up ASAP because it's becoming a real problem not being able to leave my house. I wash my face in the morning, put on the spf moisturizer and also at night before bed... wait about 30 minutes after I've washed my face and apply the cream in a small amount. :'( I use the cream about twice a week and it STILL causes severe irritation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Share Posted September 1, 2013 Maybe give your derm a call and explain, they won't want you to continue if it is causing harm to your face. They will be happy to help and should be able to give advice over the phoneIn the mean time try and use some jojoba oil if you have some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmel87 105 Share Posted September 2, 2013 What strength is the isotretinoin cream? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binga 154 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Get some anti biotics to bring the inflammation down. If not you can try zinc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserablewithmyself 2 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 The isotretinoin cream is 0.5%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Gables 519 Share Posted September 2, 2013 If you have an internal problem causing the acne (such as hormonal imbalances), all the tretinoin cream will do is make you purge endlessly...because your body is still creating new acne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmel87 105 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) I'm surprised your dermatologist didn't give you a topical to use during the day. There is a lengthy purging process with the iso cream but you are on the lowest dose. Don't use cetaphil with spf in it at night. Get the cetaphil cream, it's a lot more moisturizing and soothing, use this at night over the iso cream. Also, are you still on a BCP and if so which one? Edited September 2, 2013 by melmel87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
