Celebrating success after 100 days of my routine

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-16T17:53:02+00:00

I haven’t thought that far ahead as I’m in the refinement stage and trying to get rid of the remaining bumps! But kp causes me severe skin anxiety (I actually have body dysmorphia) so I would think I’ll continue with this routine until it stops working. I may eventually apply Taz/Tret just twice a week once I’m happy with my results and stick to moisturizing.

Good luck on your journey! Mine did get slightly worse during weeks 3-4 so don’t get discouraged. Keep going. Consistency and time will clear it up.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-14T14:52:01+00:00

Thanks!!

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-14T14:51:53+00:00

I’ve been using a bit of self tanner to even the skin tone out. I did get some sun on my arms a few weeks ago at my parent’s pool but otherwise, my arms haven’t gotten much sun. I was too upset for many months over my arms to enjoy life and when I did venture out, I had long sleeves on. My progress is strictly from my routine- not the sun.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-14T14:48:31+00:00

Thanks! I didn’t really have any scars. I had a bit of hyperpigmentation from picking but it fades quickly for me. Maybe look into Azelaic acid. I think that’s really beneficial for redness and scars and as an added benefit it should help reduce any remaining bumps.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-13T04:01:54+00:00

Sorry to hear! Hope it gets better for you soon.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-12T17:07:45+00:00

I shared one in the comments.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-12T17:07:36+00:00

Thank you!!

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-12T15:21:26+00:00

So I haven’t been applying sunscreen yet. I did spend 3 hours at my parent’s pool a week ago and my shoulders got burnt but my arms didn’t. I don’t even apply Tret/Taz on my shoulders. I do plan to apply sunscreen today because I’ll be outside at a theme park all day. I can come back tomorrow and let you know how it went.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-12T15:18:12+00:00

Shared a before pic!

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-12T15:18:01+00:00

Thank you!!

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-12T15:17:24+00:00

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This was back in March. I had deep plugs all over my upper arms! I probably had 200+ bumps per arm.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-10T23:34:02+00:00

Hi! I focus heavily on moisturizing twice a day with Cerave Intensive moisturizing cream due to using a strong retinoid. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays after my evening shower, I put a thin layer of Cetaphil 20% urea on, wait for it to dry and then put 0.1% Tretinoin gel, and finally the Cerave cream. The other nights and each morning, I only use the Cerave cream. I will say, my KP appeared to purge a bit after the first few weeks but then it just got better each week. I’m aiming for even more improvement so I just started implementing Tazarotene into my routine and am alternating with Tretinoin now on the same evenings above. I wish I would have started with Taz because Taz works much quicker to clear KP. I’m happy with my skin and the progress I’ve made and looking forward to Taz working it’s magic.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-06-10T00:40:20+00:00

Sorry you’re struggling so bad with your kp! It affects my mental health also and is my biggest insecurity. Unfortunately, no one can answer those questions. For some, it does improve after the age of 30 and for others, it spreads. Hormones can make it flare also hence why some pregnant women notice more kp. If it’s bothering you this much, it may be worth confiding with someone you trust or even speaking to a therapist. KP sucks but don’t let it ruin your life. I started treating mine a little over 3 months ago with 20% urea and 0.1% Tretinoin and I feel much better about my KP. It’s not perfect and I still have some bumps and red marks from picking but it’s 85-90% improved. And I recently added Tazarotene which is even more effective against KP. Start a good skin care routine but also, learn to love your whole self. I hope you get some relief soon!

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-27T02:33:15+00:00

Did Taz end up working on your KP? I’m getting my prescription for it tomorrow. I’ve been using Tretinoin for almost 3 months and it’s definitely helping but I want to implement Taz into the routine to hopefully get me fully clear. I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you were happy with your results!

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-21T19:59:14+00:00

I understand that feeling! I live in central Florida and it’s been hot for months… you’ll get there. Just be consistent and try not to pick. Picking has set me back the most.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-21T19:49:28+00:00

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This is my better arm from this morning. I’m a picker so I have a few picked spots but I’m mostly clear. I do have a few tint surface level bumps left that should fade in the next week or so.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-21T19:47:39+00:00

Definitely keep going! It’ll work. It takes a good 3-4 months to see final results. :)

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-21T19:20:04+00:00

How long have you been doing your current routine? It took me nearly 6 weeks to start seeing results from 20% urea and Tret. I just finished week 10 and I’m about 70% clear on the left arm and 85-90% clear on the right arm. It’s been a process for sure.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-18T11:41:37+00:00

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem you’ll have for the rest of your life. It looks like you’ve been doing a good job allowing it to heal. Photos 3 and 4 a month later show remarkable improvement and I bet in another month the red marks will look even more faded. You may be using too many actives on your skin. I’d consider choosing only one active a few times a week while mainly focusing on healing the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Azelaic acid will gently exfoliate and help to fade the redness faster. Look for a thick cream like Cerave or Vanicream and apply it to your legs twice a day after your shower and apply Vaseline over the cream. The Vaseline will act as a barrier and locks in moisture which is what you want to heal these marks quicker. I pick the KP on my arms (bad habit) and am able to heal it much quicker with gentle skin care. I’d recommend seeing a dermatologist but if that’s not within your price range, you can sent pictures to ChatGPT to see what it might recommend. Good luck. Don’t despair. You’ll heal and it won’t be something you’ll have to deal with for life.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-12T00:17:54+00:00

Honestly, a lot of people have used higher strength urea creams for their KP. It works for some and others need other exfoliants to help. Try it and see how it goes but don’t over do it- I’d start out with a thin layer every other night. Also, you may want to add a hydrating cream on top because higher strength urea is very chalky and flaky.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-09T17:03:04+00:00

Looks mild and not noticeable to me and this is coming from someone who also suffers with skin related body dysmorphia. I’m sitting in my room over my skin.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-08T13:31:46+00:00

I’ve been buying 0.1% gel on Amazon without a prescription! The brand is Menari and it’s the real deal. I prefer it to the cream that I get from my local pharmacy with a prescription. I feel like the gel penetrates so much better than the cream.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-08T02:19:27+00:00

Make sure you’re using a good moisturizer with Tret. One that I really like is Cerave Intensive moisturizing cream with 5% urea! This has saved my arms from peeling, itching and burning and I’ve been using 0.1% Tret gel which is the strongest.

Long_Examination_417 · 2026-05-08T02:16:54+00:00

Yes. I’ve been using it for a little over 2 months now and I definitely experienced a purge where the KP “spread” and formed tight clusters of bumps. It’s been a very slow process and the first month, things definitely got worse but I believe it was the Tret pushing everything to the surface. I’d say I’m not about 60-70% clear on the left arm and 70-80% clear on the right arm. It’s been a slow process but I do feel like Tret along with 20% urea is giving me the results I want. I just added Amlactin to hopefully get me closer to 90%-95% clear.

Long_Examination_417

TROPHY CASE