Ive stopped using any and all cleansers/scrubs I bought before I went to the doctor. That was hard because I spent so much money on them. :( Im only using the medicated facewash she gave me, its soap free and oil free. The moisturizer she gave me is Glytone's and its a gel not a cream. I actually like it a lot because its really light and non-greasy.
I have small, red acne all along my hairline and all over my cheeks and sides of my face. My cheeks had the biggest pimples...I know it sounds horrible. I was terrified for a while...didnt know what was happening to me.
Im using the Erithromycin first, then Benzoyl Peroxide and then Retin A at night. In the morning, I use the Erithromycin and the Glytone. If I use the Benzoyl and Erithro in the morning like the instructions say, I end up with this mess on my face.
Im drinking more water, taking vitamins and using my prescriptions. Ive also added more fiber in my diet.
My skin is looking a lot better than it did even a week ago. Its more even, less red and the acne seems to be going down slowly. From people who have used Retin A I get feedback that its a temporary solution and you develop a dependancy. I would like to avoid that at all costs so I will continue to research and find out more. Im still a tad anxious but that really hopeless feeling is gone now.
You guys really helped me out SOOOOO much its unbelievable! I took every single suggestion seriously and the most common of all was to stop experimenting and go to a doctor.
Just because I paid a ton for something doesnt mean it will work.
My acne is almost all GONE! Alhumdulillah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shukar Allah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is what worked for me:
I stopped using all of the ointments my derma prescribed for me. The reason was I was developing reactions to them so I may have been allergic. As soon as I started using the Retin A, Benzoyl Peroxide I noticed a LOT of itching and not only on my face.
I drank a TON of water and still do.
I went for salicylic acid treatments - amazing!
I stopped stressing myself out.
Ive only had two treatments so far but its such a dramatic improvement I couldnt help but share it with you all!!!
Thank you for all the kind PMs, responses and advice you all gave!!!
Salicylic acid treatments, can you give me some info on that plz?
I had bad acne, used so many things prescribed by the doc but nothing worked. Went to a doc in pak and the results were awesome within 3 weeks. He gave me antibiotic tablets and a lotion to put on the spots at night. there was no name of the lotion and he said he makes it himself. about year and half down the road, i've got a breakout again :( .. doc has prescribed Duac and some antibiotics, lets see how it goes. I really need to start drinking lots of water and fruits!
Salicylic acid treatments, can you give me some info on that plz?
I had bad acne, used so many things prescribed by the doc but nothing worked. Went to a doc in pak and the results were awesome within 3 weeks. He gave me antibiotic tablets and a lotion to put on the spots at night. there was no name of the lotion and he said he makes it himself. about year and half down the road, i've got a breakout again :( .. doc has prescribed Duac and some antibiotics, lets see how it goes. I really need to start drinking lots of water and fruits!
The treatments are basically chemical skin peels that take off the top most layers of your skin, basically where all the damage is. It gets into the root of the problem and disinfects where all the bacteria have gotten into. I had my 3rd one today and Alhumdulillah Im so happy. My face is shiny, bright, my scars are going away slowly, I feel SO different now!!! Its amazing, Alhumdulillah!
The only thing is, sunscreen is VERY important when you are done with a peel as your skin is exposed and needs protection.
I used Duac, Retin A, Benzoyl Peroxide, one other medication Im forgetting, etc. Everything works for only a few weeks and always has a side effect on me. Like extremely dry skin, itching, rashes, blotchiness, peeling, etc.
The peel was a last resort for me as NOTHING else was working.
Go to a dermatologist's office for a peel, not a salon.
Salicylic isn't used on everyone, have a skin analysis done first..and since u say that ure derm put u on anti-bio's means that u still have active acne. Give the anti-bio time to "kick-in" and in the mean time after u're skin analysis if he/she recommends the peel go for it.
Retin A really dried out u're skin and so does Skinoren, Benzomic. Maheen a salicylic peel works on just the acne and not the scarring, so I'd wait for the anti-bio's to work and for the acne to settle down then chose from various peels to get rid of the marks.
A salicylic peel usually begins with cleansing u're skin after that they apply vaseline to the delicate area's such as u're eyes, nose and lips and then spread the peel all over and re-apply it to "problem areas" U're derm shud be supervising the treatment and he/she wud tell the practitioner to neutralize the peel once he/she feels.
The after-care is just keeping out of the sun and wearin sunscreen at all times.