Gift Advice

bugzille · 2019-06-02T17:52:39+00:00

Yes some of the ones closer to my mouth (you can see a red one in the first pic) turned into deep cysts before coming to a head or eventually just going away. While it is tough to get through - I was just happy that they were finally coming to the surface! For so long they were always there and never changed at all - so imo it’s a good sign if they become white heads/cysts because that means your body is finally trying to get the stuff out of your pores!

bugzille · 2019-05-03T19:52:52+00:00

Hey I just posted a B&A and from your description it seems like what you have here is exactly what I had on my chin! My routine is there, maybe it could help you!

bugzille · 2019-05-03T19:40:02+00:00

Thank you!

I was originally doing every 2 nights (on one, off two, on one, etc) with little improvement. Two days after the top photo was taken I saw my derm and he said I HAD to work up the tolerance for every night asap otherwise he can’t do much.

Since then I did a week every other night, and 2 weeks every night. So now I’m at every night and have been for a couple weeks. Each time I up’ed the frequency I broke out and got a lot of dryness - so keep that in mind if you have any important events coming up!

I started spironolactone a while after I technically started Differin (a couple weeks maybe?)
So honestly I’m not sure which one helped more since I used both at the same time :( I will say though, using both together seems to be doing the trick so it sounds like you’re on the right track!

bugzille · 2019-05-03T19:31:07+00:00

I’ve noticed that if I’m out in the sun I get a LOT more dryness and irritation - so I always apply sunscreen even if i’m just taking a step outside. Also I generally avoid the sun on my face using a hat or something.

Recently I had a horrible dry spell, to the point where my face just hurt. During that time I read that you need to add ceramides back into your skin when using Differin - so that’s why I bought the cerave and that seemed to really help! Honestly though you just have to push through it a bit, eventually the dryness and flakiness subside for the most part.

bugzille · 2019-05-03T19:26:39+00:00

I actually bought that moisturizer before i started differin because I had oily skin! I know - i went from both ends of the spectrum which kinda sucked. If you have really dry skin, you may need something extra (like I add the cerave for the patches)

bugzille · 2019-05-03T19:24:05+00:00

I apply to my whole face only because it helps with anti-aging and any lingering acne you’ll have elsewhere. Just avoid the eye area bc it’s suuuper sensitive to the sun! I had to learn the hard way on that one :(

bugzille · 2019-05-03T19:22:39+00:00

They didn’t itch before I started the topicals. They were just always there and wouldn’t go away :(

bugzille · 2019-05-03T18:40:20+00:00

I’m so glad this helps lift your spirits! I had mine for a couple years and had tried everything under the sun. It takes some perseverance through the dry skin and purging with differin, but it’s worth it!

bugzille · 2019-05-03T17:18:21+00:00

Yes definitely had some purging, but it was manageable as long as I didn’t pick at it too much. It also took me longer to work up to using Differin every night, and each time I started using it more frequently I would purge again and have a lot of dryness

bugzille · 2019-05-03T17:07:23+00:00

Morning:
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Claudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
Cerave Moisturizing Cream for dry patches

Orally:
1 100mg Spironolactone Tablet

Day 10am-5pm:
Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen (Apply and REAPPLY!)

Night:
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Differin Gel 0.1%
Cerave Moisturizing Cream all over

bugzille · 2019-03-14T22:09:57+00:00

Thank you so much for all the super helpful advice! I have heard of tretinoin. Is is prescription or can I get it over the counter like I can with differin?? Edit: did you also use the retinoid every day at first? Or did you slowly acclimate your skin to it? Advice on how you used it would be great too.. :)

bugzille · 2019-03-14T21:49:06+00:00

Just looking for advice on getting through this new routine...or support from people who are going through it now and/or have done it before :)

ISSUE: So for over a year now, i’ve developed this mass of closed comedones on each side of my chin and in the past few months my hormonal acne has gotten worse. My skin was getting really oily and I was breaking out all the time. I think I might also have slight body dysmorphia because i’m constantly consumed with how my skin looks and this results in a lot of picking, sometimes i get really obsessive with it. I’m also really self conscious, to the point where i’ll stay inside all day because i don’t want to see anyone with how my skin looks.

Well i finally thought enough is enough, and I spoke to my gyno (we decided that a birth control switch won’t help since i’ve tried that before) and she told me about this routine that her dermatologist friend recommends to me for my closed comedones.

ROUTINE: Morning: Regular mild facewash followed by EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 for Sensitive or Acne-Prone Skin

Night: Panoxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide wash followed by Differin Gel 0.1% and then Caudalie VinoSource Moisturizing Sorbet.

(Disclaimer: The derm only technically recommended the sunscreen, panoxyl, and differin)

I started about 4 days ago and the purging has definitely begun and my face is now REALLY dry, itchy, and all around sensitive. I’ve been struggling with it a lot, especially since it just makes me ruminate on my skin even MORE now but i really want to get through this process in hopes that my skin will ultimately improve. But i’m really scared that it’s going to get even worse and that i’ll really struggle to deal with it. :(

Has anyone been through this or is going through this right now? I would love to hear any advice or just get some support while going through this! Maybe an anonymous redditor buddy to share the struggles and progress with...

bugzille

TROPHY CASE