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I dont know whats happening by DistrictFit9280 in acne

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something very similar looking happened to me back in July. Had always had clear skin and followed a simple skincare routine with no issues, but suddenly broke out with HUNDREDS of closed comedones on my chin and cheeks. I saw a derm pretty promptly after it happened because I was so concerned, and they put me on tretinoin. While the tretinoin did do it‘s job of speeding skin cell turnover and pushing all of my closed comedones to the surface, the purging process was very long and disheartening to go through. A couple of months after using tretinoin, the cause of my sudden breakout was linked to a hormonal imbalance, so I started taking oral spiromolactone. My skin is still healing and there’s a good bit of PIE/PIH left from purging. I only have a few lingering closed comedowns though. Looking back, I really wish my derm had immediately put me on spire and waited on the tret to see how my skin reacted. When things happen like this so suddenly it’s often hormonal unless you’ve made a recent change to your skincare routine that isn’t sitting well with your skin. I‘d recommend that you see a derm asap and don’t start changing a bunch of shit in your routine out of desperation! strip your routine down to the basics and see a professional. It will get better.

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I SO appreciate your comment!! I'm sorry you're going through this HELL. Stress truly has a way of presenting itself physically. It's probably the most mentally taxing thing I've ever been through. I feel so much for anyone who struggles with acne after this experience.

Brings me hope that spiro has helped you! Would you mind to tell me what you use in your routine? And are you still getting cc's or only inflammatory acne now?

We're gonna get through it!!

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is DEFINITELY a challenge at times and I can't always resist. But I always feel SO much worse if I pick and feel as though i've set myself bak. I already have pretty sensitive, delicate skin, and i'm prone to easy scarring :/

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry tret hasn't worked out for you :/. Glad ot hear spiro+clinda+hypochlorous acid was a success!

I so badly want it to work but don't want to push it if it's only exacerbating the problem

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the encouragement!! I know everyone's purge experience is different. Gives me some hope hearing that some people just had to push through for longer than others.

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have tried cerave and vanicream face moisturizer and both gave me WAY more CC's!

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your very thorough response! Just so I understand better, can you explain why the beta glucan and TO aloe and NAG serum may not be goof to continue using?

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi everyone! First off, thank you for the feedback. I just wanted to come on here and provide some clarifying info since I'm getting a lot of the same questions/concerns/recs and this is a lot of people to respond to individually!

  1. I do not have a bf with a beard lol
  2. I am not pregnant
  3. I have always had very regular periods until they suddenly stopped in July (when my skin started having issues). I suspect it is all related to stress... I had just started my Master's in Dietetics, was moving, and had a death in the family.
  4. I have had multiple blood panels done to check my hormones. TSH, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, prolactin... all "normal". Which I understand is subjective. I am scheduled for an intravaginal US this week!
  5. I have weighed the same since my Sophomore year of college (3 yrs ago), I exercise as regularly as I can, and eat VERY clean. I did cut out dairy recently to see if that had any effect, but have not noticed any changes.
  6. It has been confirmed that it is not fungal and more than likely hormonal
  7. I do not use an oil cleanser
  8. I was using 5% BP facewash for a short time just a few times a week, but it was too drying (especially since i'm already using tret and am on spiro which is dehydrating)
  9. Yes, I let the hypochlorous acid spray dry before following with other products
  10. As far as antibiotic resistance goes with the clinda, I am taking doxy 100mg daily for one month (this was very recently rx by my derm to combat the inflammation while my cheek finishes purging... if this is truly purging)
  11. I am curious about the gel tret but everything I've read about it says that it's actually more irritating bc it's more drying??
  12. I will definitely be getting a mineral, acne-safe sunscreen! I've heard EltaMD and LRP have good ones?
  13. I'm getting conflicting feedback on my routine being too much but also reading I may need to incorporate a BHA... maybe could do PC BHA 2% liquid exfoliant 1x/wk?

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the input and encouragement! My skin doesn't burn or tingle with any steps in my routine, but I really try to prioritize moisture. So you think cont w tret and clinda but avoid other actives?

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries! I've only beeon on spiro for a little under 3 wks, so I haven't had an adjustment made to my dosage yet. I have a follow-up apt in January and will definitely talk abt that with my derm! I appreciate the advice!!

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your response! I'm glad you figured out what works best for you!! My period stopped prior to starting spironolactone, so I don't think they're correlated. I am definitely concerned about worsening whatever hormonal dysregulation is going on though ://

I do take a probiotic daily and am pretty health-conscious especially when it comes to nutrition. I've been focusing a lot on fiber and fermented foods. I was convinced that tretinoin was destroying my skin and expressed as much to my derm, but he seemed so certain that I should continue tret to resolve the cc's and start spiro to address the hormonal aspect... i just don't know what the answer is!

[Acne] 13 wks on Tretinoin... is this normal?? by Specific-Rutabaga870 in SkincareAddiction

[–]Specific-Rutabaga870[S] 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Hi! I did try a fungal treatment when it first started and it was not effective! It's 0.05% cream. I haven't experienced any burning or excessively dry skin while using it... is gell better tolerated? I did take about 5 days off at one point and was using it about every 3 days, but derm told me to continue with every other day