
Used Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)? Rate It:
Before I begin: do NOT apply Epiduo to a large area of the skin until you have completed a 48 hour 'patch test'.
I applied a small amount of Epiduo to the 'T-zone' and did not notice any redness or stinging at first. However, the following evening some redness began to show. I assumed that this was a normal response, since there was no pain, and applied another small amount.
The area quickly began to burn and I removed the product within 5 minutes of application. By the next morning, the redness had spread to almost my entire face (exceeding where the Epiduo had been applied initially) and my skin was sore, dry and flaky. This continued for another day, getting worse until eventually the burning became so severe that the only relief was from holding my face in ice water, meanwhile the skin became incredibly tight, cracking at the driest points, and swelling.
The burning pain was so excruciating that I was taking both Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. Getting no relief from either, I took Codeine whilst continuing to ice my face. I was concerned that I was having an allergic reaction due to the swelling, and went to A&E.
The burning, cracking and swelling was so intense that I had to refrain from screaming in pain in the waiting room. I was administered an emergency topical anaesthetic that is used to treat burns.
The following day the swelling was at its worst and I could barely move my face, however the burning pain had subsided. I lost a layer of skin, but (luckily) it healed within two days.
I am now aware of the fact that with Epiduo 'your skin will get worse before it gets better' (my dermatologist failed to mention this), however the severity of the skin's initial reaction will vary with each patient. Unfortunately, I was left in unbearable pain beyond what is tolerable in exchange for good results.
I cannot emphasise enough the importance of leaving your 'patch test' for 48 hours or more as my response to the Epiduo took days to emerge. Some may choose to continue with the treatment, if it does not cause a great deal of pain (or despite the pain, if you really are desperate for results), however you MUST give yourself time to test the product on a small area and fully consider whether you are prepared to go through with treatment. Do NOT apply without testing.
How are you getting on? I am one week into epiduo gel. I completely understand not wanting to go out. The final straw for me was when I was due to go for a meal with my other half and his friends and I tried to apply make up and felt so down I cancelled and stayed in crying! I decided I had to go doctors
How are you getting on? I am one week into epiduo gel. I completely understand not wanting to go out. The final straw for me was when I was due to go for a meal with my other half and his friends and I tried to apply make up and felt so down I cancelled and stayed in crying! I decided I had to go doctors
Hey! My face isn't completely clear, but it's better. My face is soo dry, i'll have to avoid applying epiduo every night, as i did fot the past 2 weeks. Yesterday I went on comedone extraction and now have horrible reddness, i wont be able to go to work tomorrow!!!! God, I hope this will heal quickly!!! Enivejz, i am od 8th week now and hope in 2 weeks my face will be better, it's christmas soon and this is all i want...
How are u doing?