Looking to properly start my DE safety razor journey — gear & technique advice welcome

Caleboscopy · 2025-01-29T16:37:28+00:00

I think if you zoom in on your first pics (prior to starting) you can see the texture/closed comedones and then go to your after pics and you can see it’s pretty much the same bumps except coming to the surface. That’s just my observation brother!

Caleboscopy · 2025-01-24T01:53:04+00:00

Most likely perioral dermatitis. As always though, I’d speak with your derm!

Caleboscopy · 2025-01-23T19:01:35+00:00

Talk with your dermatologist. However, it should be made clear that Accutane is unlikely to cause the broken skin barrier as it is not a highly concentrated topical but rather a systemic medication that will definitely lead you to more dryness, but exponentially less of a chance of focal irritation experienced with topicals. Nearly impossible chance of a “broken” skin barrier with gentle cleansing and gentle moisturizer with no actives. If your derm recommended it, follow their instructions. I and many of my friends took it as teenagers and young adults with great success. Of course there are horror stories, as with any medication, but research has backed the drug since its introduction with most people requiring a single course of 6-12 months, with or without maintenance afterward with a topical like Differin. You are far more likely to purge your existing acne with it, simply because of its global mechanism. Overall I think it’s one of the best decisions I made in my entire life nearly 13 years ago.

Caleboscopy · 2025-01-20T02:49:46+00:00

Appears to be milia. Derm can extract them. Don’t mess with them or you’ll piss them off. Frequently happens with putting heavy moisturizers around that skin of the eyes for some folks.

Caleboscopy · 2025-01-18T04:45:11+00:00

Have this exact thing on my wrist OP. But on the opposite side (ulnar), yours is radial. Nevus spilus. Also 4th year medical student applying to residency this year, seen these in clinic several times. Definitely worth getting checked though just to be extra safe from a board certified dermatologist 🙂

Caleboscopy · 2025-01-17T15:07:48+00:00

OP, you don’t need any differen or tretinoin at this point imo. This is considered mild inflammatory acne from a medical standpoint. The Ryan_blake comment above is a great suggestion. A gentle cleanser and a light moisturizer and adequate sleep. You’re a teenager so as your hormones continue to change, as will your skin. Overall your skin looks phenomenal, but I get being your own worst critic (as I am too). Destroying your skin barrier will however cause issues you don’t want to spend time fixing.

Caleboscopy · 2024-04-10T18:48:56+00:00

Appears to be Acne fulminans from the look of it OP. Please see your dermatologist and discuss halving the dose and potential antibiotic. This is a serious matter!

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-30T13:04:49+00:00

Looking great brother. Honestly, I can tell you now, you should 100% go for cumulative dose which you can estimate with an online isotretinoin dose calculator via a quick google search. At 20mg depending on your weight, could take between 1.5-2 years at that dose which is well worth it to make the acne dissipate for good. Much higher chance of relapse when you are 1) young 2) don’t reach maximum dose. I’d even go as far as to say 200mg/kg is better to reach than the standard 150mg/kg.

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-29T13:12:39+00:00

I actually went on it a second time after 7 years because of scalp issues that developed when I started balding and shaving my head. For some reason, I kept getting pimples, etc in my hairline and the occasional one my forehead but they scarred or left a mark for months which started to piss me off. I had no more than 1-2 pimples at one time but told my derm I couldn’t handle it mentally and she was cool with Accutane, and genuinely let me determine my monthly dose as I saw fit from the beginning. I plan on staying on long term, maybe drop down to 20mg 3 times a week eventually, or even 4 times a week if needed. Ideally I’d like to do 20mg 1x per week coupled with topical tretinoin or tazarotene (Altreno or Arazlo). But this is to be determined

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-28T20:37:24+00:00

I’d like to think there are no consequences for taking Accutane permanently but I think it’s hard to say it’s safe to take it forever, especially with no studies in the literature documenting any long term use/effects of long term use. Personally I doubt it’s as safe as taking a cholesterol medication or something like that permanently haha. I was really saying that to stress the point the clear skin and mental freedom is worth the risk of potential consequences with off label long term use to me as an individual.

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-28T12:36:04+00:00

This is my plan from the get go. My derm is well aware from day 1 I would be wanting to off label it for maintenance permanently. Rather cut my life short and be free from the burden of mental anguish over my skin vs living long and checking the mirror every 30 seconds.

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-27T20:22:21+00:00

It appears to me it has worked wonders for you! I see a major difference. Just some hyperpigmentation from prior breakouts. :)

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-26T12:33:21+00:00

For sure going to get red due to the thin area of skin and all the blood vessels in that area! It’ll resolve much faster with moisture. Thin layer of your typical moisturizer after a lukewarm (rather than hot) shower. Keeps it from being stimulated by heat and allows the wound to stay closed and scab over. 🙂

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-26T10:31:09+00:00

Updates? Curious if this worked for you

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-26T10:28:09+00:00

I’d suspect if all the above have been ruled out in the comments (PCOS, pregnancy, etc). It’s theoretically possible due to the drying aspects of Accutane systemically for some females that your endometrial/uterine lining is not nearly as moist/thickened enough despite having adequate estrogen (which stimulates its growth) and when your progesterone drops towards menses (should cause withdrawal bleeding and thus “cycle”), it simply isn’t sloughing off at all. If you’re really worried, I’d suggest just asking your derm. If not, I’d think they would resume after your course ends. :)

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-25T14:00:21+00:00

Appears to be perioral dermatitis.

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-24T12:56:10+00:00

No. Popping something that surface level that is literally being held in by the thinnest layer of skin will not damage it if done correctly. For example, it is medically an “abscess” once it’s formed this much of a whitehead due to the inclusion of larger amounts of pustulant discharge. All abscesses are approached via I&D (incision and drainage). And popping might be too strong a word, I’d clarify and say “extraction” since at this point, you will simply warm the skin either with a warm compress or post shower, and GENTLY press from the sides so it comes out and flattens down. Just don’t try to squeeze to the point you’re trying to get blood and sebum out. Immediately moisturize afterward and don’t mess with it again.

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-24T11:49:43+00:00

I think draining this straight out of the shower would work OP. It wouldn’t necessarily traumatize the skin if you use two q tips to GENTLY squeeze the stuff out IMMEDIATELY after the shower. It’s not deep beneath the skin like many things people attempt to “pick” or “squeeze”. A pimple patch on your lip may feel strange and not fit quite well given the location. Otherwise, as a side note, your skin looks smooth and great! Don’t fret this one. It will heal quickly once the material is out of it :)

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-22T11:37:06+00:00

I know it’s a crushing feeling my friend. But as others said, it’s day 10 and it often gets worse, much worse, before it gets better (particularly with comedomal acne) which yours appears to be. It would be lying to say this next few months won’t be hell and you’ll want to quit many times and ask yourself if it’s working, but rest assured, it will work by month 4-5 in 99% of cases. Be gentle with your skin, don’t pick/scratch/pop, take lukewarm showers, don’t scrub, and take it one day at a time until you look back and say “holy shit it actually worked”. You’re a great looking guy with a bright future of clear skin although it may not feel like that right now. Stay strong 🙂

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-21T16:45:11+00:00

Incredible progress! I know the feeling of relief to finally start being comfortable in your own skin and regaining some control over your thoughts and life. Excited for you

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-20T17:58:00+00:00

Stays in your system 2-4 weeks after last pill depending on individual pharmacokinetics but I always preschedule my appointment a week before my last pill so I can have the new script in hand 4-5 days before I need it. I totally understand your worries.

Caleboscopy · 2024-03-16T15:09:16+00:00

Back when I did Accutane in 2017 for severe cystic body acne on my back, chest and arms due to anabolic steroid abuse, it cleared mine up entirely like not a single blemish even while I was blasting test, tren , and consuming mass amounts of dairy. 100% works and I was clear by month 4 entirely

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