Can dry skin prevent more breakouts?
I recently started experimenting with a new face wash which is doing a very good job. It cleared up all my severe acne in just a week or so and its mainly because it is a soap based cleanser so it leaves my skin fairly dry and oil free. I know that this can be harmful and unhealthy for the skin, but I gave the whole dry approach a try and its working fairly well. I even use green tea to dry out small outbreaks even more. It has been helping a lot with the severe acne and is certainly doing much more than my previous methods of moisturizer and creams. I still get some flare ups but I am wondering is this from the existing skin/acne/hormone problem I have or is the dry skin actually starting to react badly?
Blackheads, cysts, other acne?
I have had mild acne flare-ups for 2 years or so, but my blackheads around my nose and chin have been very bad lately. For blackheads, i have tried everything- exfoliating, biore face strips, pro-activ, warm washcloth, neutrogena wave, clean and clear blackhead eraser, and differin. i also have tried using a tool but it hurts and they come back. what should i do to get them permanently gone??
i have other acne on my chin, along with one cystic pimple that just came up. i have no idea what to do with it... it just will not go away. and it hurts too.
i also have a little acne on my back... what can i do about that?
answers appreciated! thank you in advance!
Right now, my skin care regimen is washing my face with the neutrogena wave, using witch hazel as a toner, and putting on oil-free spf 15 lotion. what should i change?
acne treatments (retin-a and benzaclin)?
But about 4-5 months ago I noticed whiteheads start appealing along my cheekbone areas and it just keeps getting more noticeable and bumpy. So I tried everything, from different cleansers to spot treatments, and no consistent results. So I decided to go to the dermatologists and he prescribed the treatments I mentioned (benzaclin and retin-a 0.1% cream).
I'm currently a senior in college and is set to graduate in late May and I'm also set to get married in early June, which is why I'm really hoping that these treatments will do the job by then. I'm really glad you responded because it is great to be able to get your insight, seeing as how you have gone through these treatments and can advise me on what to expect. I'm entering into my 4th week of treatment and here's my timeline as of now:
Week 1: Didn't really notice any changes aside from flaking, redness, and dryness in the morning
Week 2: The redness and stinging subsided but certain parts of the face started to itch a little bit, especially the spots where the acne already exist
Week 3: The itching continued and acnes (almost looks like little mosquito bites, some with a white tip) start to appeal on new areas, also the already existing acnes were getting redder and bigger
Week 4 (just 2 days into it, which is where I'm at right now): This is by far the worst the acne has been ever, all these new flare ups are pretty noticeable to the touch as well as visually (again, they look like mini-mosquito bites)
So from what I've experience so far, is this pretty normal? How does this relate to your experience? Also should I do anything different to adjust to this new breakout or just to keep following the routine of benzaclin in the morning and retin-a at night? Can you also please tell me what I should expect next and how long does this breakout last from your experience.