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*Treatment results may vary
6 months post treatment
Well, I certainly dropped the ball on keeping this up to date but here's a quick rundown of how the rest of my treatment went.
Month 1 largely involved the purge. Mine wasn't as bad as I expected (my expectations being based on other folks' reviews). Pimples closer to the surface of my skin cleared up quickly, while deep, cystic pimples took a few weeks to go away. I can't even remember how they went - whether they surfaced or just disappeared. By the end of the month, my skin had definitely improved, though I was dealing with a bit of dryness on my lips and skin.
Month 2 brought more results in terms of clearing skin. By the end of the second month, I think I had one, maybe two cysts that were still shrinking, but not very noticeable. The dryness really kicked in this month, so I used lots of moisturizer on my face and body, and aquaphor on my lips (it was really the only thing that would make them feel moisturized for a few hours - lip balms did not bring much relief at all).
Month 3 brought complete clarity, but also steady dryness. My lips became so dry, they began cracking at the corners of my mouth, but nothing too noticeable or painful. Lots of moisturizing!
Month 4 was about the same as month three - maybe one or two new pimples. Same level of dryness, though my lips were not cracking as much.
Month 5, I was clear, but because of the new pimple in month 4, my doctor decided to do a sixth month of Absorica.
Month 6 I had no pimples and about the same level of dryness as month 5.
I was lucky not to have experienced any of the psychological side effects that I had read (and been warned) about.
These past 6 months since I finished my treatment have been mostly clear. If I have a pimple, it usually dries up and fades away within two or three days. I haven't had any cystic acne since stopping the medication. My lips and skin are not too dry, but I don't have oily skin anymore. I still drink lots of water and am changing up my diet to help my skin stay clear and healthy.
If you have been struggling with other acne treatments and are looking for a long-term (and hopefully permanent) solution, I highly recommend asking your dermatologist about Absorica.
Overall, the experience was 100% worth it. I have more free time now that I don't wear as much makeup, and don't wear makeup as often. My face doesn't itch or hurt like it did when I had cysts. I feel happier and lighter - not as much weighing on my mind. Wearing makeup is fun now - but not necessary, which I am thrilled about. I've changed my diet and taken to drinking a lot more water than I used to in order to help my skin stay healthy and clear.
Month 1 largely involved the purge. Mine wasn't as bad as I expected (my expectations being based on other folks' reviews). Pimples closer to the surface of my skin cleared up quickly, while deep, cystic pimples took a few weeks to go away. I can't even remember how they went - whether they surfaced or just disappeared. By the end of the month, my skin had definitely improved, though I was dealing with a bit of dryness on my lips and skin.
Month 2 brought more results in terms of clearing skin. By the end of the second month, I think I had one, maybe two cysts that were still shrinking, but not very noticeable. The dryness really kicked in this month, so I used lots of moisturizer on my face and body, and aquaphor on my lips (it was really the only thing that would make them feel moisturized for a few hours - lip balms did not bring much relief at all).
Month 3 brought complete clarity, but also steady dryness. My lips became so dry, they began cracking at the corners of my mouth, but nothing too noticeable or painful. Lots of moisturizing!
Month 4 was about the same as month three - maybe one or two new pimples. Same level of dryness, though my lips were not cracking as much.
Month 5, I was clear, but because of the new pimple in month 4, my doctor decided to do a sixth month of Absorica.
Month 6 I had no pimples and about the same level of dryness as month 5.
I was lucky not to have experienced any of the psychological side effects that I had read (and been warned) about.
These past 6 months since I finished my treatment have been mostly clear. If I have a pimple, it usually dries up and fades away within two or three days. I haven't had any cystic acne since stopping the medication. My lips and skin are not too dry, but I don't have oily skin anymore. I still drink lots of water and am changing up my diet to help my skin stay clear and healthy.
If you have been struggling with other acne treatments and are looking for a long-term (and hopefully permanent) solution, I highly recommend asking your dermatologist about Absorica.
Overall, the experience was 100% worth it. I have more free time now that I don't wear as much makeup, and don't wear makeup as often. My face doesn't itch or hurt like it did when I had cysts. I feel happier and lighter - not as much weighing on my mind. Wearing makeup is fun now - but not necessary, which I am thrilled about. I've changed my diet and taken to drinking a lot more water than I used to in order to help my skin stay healthy and clear.
Week 2
Two weeks in and I think I've experienced a purge - lots of smaller zits popping up around my mouth, a few by my eyebrows. Old cysts are still drying out - I can feel the bumps though they have flattened out quite a bit. Using Cetaphil (soap and wipes), and Cerave moisturizer with SPF. Also applying Avene soothing moisture mask and leaving it on overnight. Aquaphor for the lips, which are very chapped now. Skin is peeling - I grabbed a peeling piece with tweezers and it took off more than I expected, and bled. Best to leave those be if you can stand it, and moisturize moisturize moisturize! Oh and hydrate! Not feeling too thirsty, but I've upped my water intake just in case to 48-72 oz per day. Hopeful that the breakout will clear in the next few weeks!
Before: Acne began surfacing in middle school, and...
Before: Acne began surfacing in middle school, and by high school, I was suffering from moderate breakouts in varying spots on my face (sides, cheeks, forehead, around mouth). I started birth control during my first year of college, and that is around the time I began experiencing cystic acne. During stressful times in my life (death of loved ones, finals during law school, bar exam), the acne got worse. It also seemed to be worse in winter. I used Proactiv in high school and college, and that helped some, but the cysts always took weeks (and sometimes months) to disappear. My skin is oily, and by 11am each day, and several times after, I'm blotting with tissues and having to redo makeup. I went off hormonal birth control over six months ago, and tried antibiotics (doxycycline) with topical treatments (Aczone and Tetronin cream), which didn't provide much relief (although my derm says I could've stayed on it longer). With my wedding coming up, I decided to try isotetronin and (hopefully) help my oily, broken out skin regain its balance and clarity. Weekly/monthly updates will follow!
Week One: Noticed the dryness about 2 days in, and by day 6, I had chapped lips and felt really thirsty. The skin surrounding active pimples and cysts, as well as the skin on my nose (lots of blackheads) started peeling by day 4, but the cysts have begun flattening out. Days 3-6 brought about 3-8 small (size of a ballpoint pen tip) new whiteheads each day, mostly along my jawline and around my mouth (the initial purge has started). My skin is sensitive - I've started using a gentle cleanser (Mario Badescu) and lots of moisturizer and sunscreen. Overall, my skin is calmer in terms of breakouts, but a little more red (someone asked me how I got sun during a spate of rainy days).
Week One: Noticed the dryness about 2 days in, and by day 6, I had chapped lips and felt really thirsty. The skin surrounding active pimples and cysts, as well as the skin on my nose (lots of blackheads) started peeling by day 4, but the cysts have begun flattening out. Days 3-6 brought about 3-8 small (size of a ballpoint pen tip) new whiteheads each day, mostly along my jawline and around my mouth (the initial purge has started). My skin is sensitive - I've started using a gentle cleanser (Mario Badescu) and lots of moisturizer and sunscreen. Overall, my skin is calmer in terms of breakouts, but a little more red (someone asked me how I got sun during a spate of rainy days).
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