How My Skin Cleared in Almost 2 Months?

Pleasant day to all!! As you all know, I’ve been posting different product reviews in relation to acne treatment and prevention. I mentioned from my previous blog/s that my acne started 3 years ago only. It heals but the most frustrating part is the marks it will leave once the pimple/s goes away. The other annoying part is the acne keeps coming back. Last February 2015 I had the worst marks in my face due to acne, partly it was my fault since I keep on pricking it. So i decided to go a dermatologist from a nearby hospital after getting off to work. I told everything when the doctor asked me questions about how it started. She diagnosed me with ACNE VULGARIS. As what she said it is just mild but if not treated it would be difficult to remove the scars.

Acne vulgaris (or simply acne) is a long term skin condition characterized by areas of blackheads, whiteheads,pimples, greasy skin, and possibly scarring.^[1][2] The resulting appearance may lead to anxiety, reduced self-esteem, and in extreme cases, depression or thoughts of suicide.^[3][4] Genetics is estimated to be the cause of 80% of cases.^[2] The role of diet as a cause is unclear.^[2] Neither cleanlinessnor sunlight appear to be involved.^[2] However, cigarette smoking does increase the risk of developing acne and worsens its severity.^[5] Acne mostly affects skin with a greater number of oil glands including the face, upper part of the chest, and back.^[6] During puberty in both sexes, acne is often brought on by an increase in androgens such astestosterone.^[7] Many treatment options are available to improve the appearance of acne including lifestyle changes, procedures, and medications. Eating fewer simple carbohydrates like sugar may help.^[8]Topicalbenzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, andazelaic acid are commonly used treatments.^[9]Antibiotics and retinoids are available topically and by mouth to treat acne.^[9] However, resistance to antibiotics may develop.^[10] A number of birth control pills may be useful in women.^[9] Oral isotretinoin is usually reserved for severe acne due to greater potential side effects.^[9] Early and aggressive treatment is advocated by some to lessen the overall long-term impact to individuals.^[4] (source:Wikipedia)

The dermatologist prescribed me different medication from Facial Wash to Vitamins/Supplements.

First page of my dermatologist’s prescription.

2nd page of my dermatologist’s prescription.

What I bought were:

• TRETINOIN CREAM 0.025% – 350Php
• SUPER ACES- 18Php/gel cap. (Stands for Vitamins A, C, E and Selenium).

I only bought the ones I think I would really need. In this case, the tretinoin cream 0.025% for my annoying acne/pimple marks and the supplements/vitamins. The 3 products I didn’t bought from the prescription:

• Teen Derm Facial Wash- 350 Pesos ( i’m not familiar with this brand though)
• Clindamycin Toner- 300 Pesos
•  Benzoyl Peroxide for the pimples – 350 pesos.

All those products can be bought in my dermatologist’s clinic at VRP Hospital in Mandaluyong. I work at Shaw so it is just one ride away. I was amazed how my dermatologist chronologically list down the things I need for my acne. She knows pretty well what she is doing. I had that feeling of regret not going to her before. The two previous dermatologists I went to at Makati Medical Center made me lose my confidence to doctors. Let’s go to my experience using those two products I bought. Another reason by the way  why I only bought those 2 products is I’m on a tight budget as we all know treatment for acne can be expensive. Photos below are what I bought from the clinic and a closer look on the tretinoin cream.

On the left is the TRETINOIN CREAM 0.025% & on the right is the SUPER ACES(Vitamins A, C , E, & Selenium) VITAMINS/ SUPPLEMENTS.

This is what the TRETINOIN CREAM 0.025% looks like.

Let me show you my face during 2-3 weeks of using both products. The BEFORE photo of my face.

Left and right side of my face with marks. (ewww!! horrible!) **note this photo is not filtered. with flash)

Now let’s look at the AFTER photo.

This is my face now. Again no filter,no MAKEUP and with flash. This is after 6-7 weeks of using tretinoin cream and the vitamins.

Almost 8 weeks using both products. With flash. No filter. Not photo shopped. 🙂 **note some dots on my face are freckles and moles..hehe

As of May 31st of 2015.. Lovin my skin!! Thanks to Tretinoin and Super ACES…. #NoMakeUpSelfie #NoPhotoshop

Update on my skin as of Sunday, May31st of 2015. Couldn’t be more thankful!! #NoMakeUpSelfie #NoPhotoshop

See, I was amazed on how this product surprised me when after almost 7 weeks my marks are almost invisible. I checked online thru forums about tretinoin cream usage. Almost all of them say that at first you might find it too strong since your face would encounter or show redness and peeling . At some point extreme peeling. Even the dermatologist told me that too. Some also say that some white heads or pimples might occur during the process which is kinda true. Right now, I’m very happy with the results. I also noticed that I’m not getting any worst pimples before my period comes unlike before. The vitamins I think played a major role on this. Maybe I lacked those vitamins in my body.

    My skin care routine is just very simple. Since I work at night, I wash my face before I go to sleep after lunch.

• Once I got home from work, I use Femme Fresh Facial Wipes/ Watsons Cleansing Facial Wipes to wipe off my light makeup. Then rest my face for a couple of hours
• I use Himalaya Herbals Lemon Face Wash to remove impurities, oil and makeup residue on my face.
• Apply Kojie San Dual Cleanser + Toner.
• Last, putting Tretinoin Cream 0.025% on some affected areas if there is.. Take note I also put this on some bumps or white heads, it works!
• I use Kojie San Kojic Soap at night or during bath time.

**Tretinoin Cream 0.025% can be bought over the counter, the brand name is Stieve A. I inquire at Mercury Drugstore it is priced at 540 Php. I hope this blog helps you when it comes to acne problem. I have been battling this for almost 3 years now. I’m not really 100% positive this treatment would work on others or on myself if it’ll work for a lifetime. My goal is to bring back my acne-free skin. I never had acne ever since until after months of giving birth in 2012. But I’m praying this treatment is the answer to my dilemma. I will update you just in case there are changes.

     Excerpt from 10 Things To Stop Doing When You Have Acne:

10. Thinking Treatments Can’t Work for You

It’s so hard to stay positive and motivated when you have tried dozens of treatments and you still have acne. It’s natural to want to give up. There are so many acne treatments available today. Maybe you haven’t hit on the right combination yet. Maybe you need to see a dermatologist. Maybe you need to switch dermatologists. There are treatments out there for everyone. It may take longer than you expected, it may mean using medications you hoped you’d never need (like oral antibiotics orisotretinoin). But with the right treatment, the right physician in your corner and the patience and perseverance to keep trying, you can control your acne. Don’t give up! Success may be right around the corner.

***I wrote this blog impromptu so please bear with the sentence construction or grammatical errors. Thanks!! 🙂