HOW I FOUGHT OFF MY ACNE

It has been a long time since I saw active acne on my face (Alhamdulilah).Everyday when I wake up  and see my face I just take a moment to thank God that I am acne free before worrying about dark circles etc.

Well,it was not like that a few years back. In fact if in the year 2006 someone had told me that one day I would be free of this ugly acne,I would have just laughed miserably  (or cried maybe).

I don't have pictures of that time,but my cheeks were the most affected area.I had all forms and states of acne lesions...White heads ,Black heads,pimples,bumps even pustules.It started in the 8th grade(I don't remember exactly,I had it ever since I can remember ).First involved were the cheeks then forehead and chin.It injured my confidence.Even my sister called me pimply when she wanted to spite me.Acne not only gives you scars,but also  low elf esteem and the desire to hide your face.That is a cold fact.

                                            STORY OF MY STRUGGLE:

I tried everything from dietary changes like no chocolates or oil in food,drinking 16 glass plain water everyday to safi(herbal) and Neem(Azadirachta indica ,Indian lilac),Drugs likeTetracyclins, Topical Isotretinoin failed to do anything .

After third year pharmacology,I came to know about Benzoyl Peroxide.It is the most effective treatment of acne with minimum side effects.It basically produces oxygen and benzoic acid after decomposing in skin.

ACTIONS OF BENZOYL PEROXIDE:

It works in two ways:

1. Comedolytic effect...Increases cellular turn over,clears pores and reduces bacterial count. 

2.Direct anti-microbial action on Propioni Acne bacteria by producing free radical oxygen.

3.Mild anti inflammatory effect.

Since,bacteria are killed by free radical oxygen they can not develop resistance against Benzoyl  Peroxide.

Now,here comes the question...

Q)-If it is so effective why it doesn't receive hype like Retinoids?

A)-The reason is that Benzoyl Peroxid treats Acne Vulgaris only.But retinoids treat all kinds of acne...vulgaris,Cystic,Rosacea.So,obviously they are more fail proof and dermatologist rely on them more.

Secondly,doctors warn patients about the effects of retinoids so they are mentally  prepared for flaking and dryness,but mostly no one guides the patient  that Benzoyl Peroxide has irritative effects too.So,when it irritates your skin you just give up.

Thirdly,mostly  doctors prescribe 10% benzoyl peroxide which is very very irritating for the skin.If they would just prescribe 4% formulation(milder but as effective as 10% form) the problem of flaking would be reduced a lot.But,I don't know why they don't.Again this is a question of choosing a stronger drug so that patient can be cured speedily.

I know this,because I gave up the treatment in the middle too.My dermatologist recommended   it but the peeling and redness in the first week  was too much to handle for me and I simply stopped using it,cursing my dermatologist of course :-P .

                                     WHAT HELPED ME

Why did it work for me,afterwards then?The answer is http://www.acne.org/

I will always be indebted to Dan,the creator and admin of this website for sharing experience and giving me a chance at good skin.Here is his regimen  that I followed and got rid of my acne.

His routine and treatment plan was awesome,but when applied in Pakistan it used to cost me my whole pocket money plus loan every month from my brother(God bless him).Neutrogena on the spot treatment was 450 PKR back then and only lasted three days}.

So,I did research and applied my knowledge.Here is my Desi version.

PRODUCTS:

1)-Face wash:

Neutrogena Deep Clean Face wash,Neutrogena Deep Clean Energizing Foaming Face Wash

        Neutrogena Deep Clean Face wash

Neutrogena Deep Clean Energizing Foaming Face 

                                    Wash

2)-Benzoyl Peroxide:

Now as I mentioned earlier that due to cost and availability issues I had to find a cheaper alternative to Neutrogena on the spot treatment.Here is what cured my acne:Brevoxyl 4% by stiefel.

3)-Moisturizer:

I experimented with many moisturizers which will give me required hydration minus oiliness.

I always looked for moisturizers which were:Non-comedogenic,oil-free, non-greasy and of course affordable.For day time use my preference was a moisturizer with SPF.

First I tried Neutrogena Oil free moisture with SPF.Cost PKR 520.

However,it left a thin oil film on my face and cost was a problem too so, I switched to Clean and Clear moisturizer for oily skin.Cost PKR 200.

This was the simplest,most easily available and most suitable one for me.I loved it.You

see in this regimen simple moisturizer works the best.

4)-Make Up:

I never used makeup with this regimen, but if you have to wear foundation,I would suggest that you go for a powder foundation.Wet and Dry foundations are great as they give build able coverage from sheer to medium and don't irritate the skin.Mineral makeup works bets.Here is a review on Mineral Hygeine.This works great for acne prone skin even better then bare minerals.

Liquid foundations have complex formulas along with a tendency to set in pores.No matter how many tall claims companies make,a skin irritated by acne can never react well to liquid foundations.If you are using makeup,then as soon as you can,take it off with a good cleanser like Nivea Visage Cleansing Lotion.Read Review.Cost PKR 195.

ROUTINE:

1)-Wash your face with your face wash thoroughly.Now,let it air dry.If you are in a hurry use tissues.Never use a towel as you can never make sure it is clean and non irritating.Wait for 10 minutes,complete other things while waiting.

2)-Wash your hands.Take Benzoyl Peroxide(I am going to call it BP now).If you are starting out just take a pea size/half a finger tip for each affected area.The photo below gives some idea of how much Neutrogena on the spot you should take.

If you are starting with Brevoxyl, a pea size amount is enough.You start with little amount to ensure that your skin gets used to BP and to reduce flaking and redness.Every three days increase the dose a little,until you get to one finger per day in 2-4 weeks(if you are using Brevoxyl.For "Neutrogena on the spot" photo below shows the amount).

 If you are experiencing redness,use it once daily initially,start from a pinhead size and increase very slowly as your skin adjusts.

 In the start:                                                      By the End:

From Acne.org

From Acne.org

 Rub the BP gently on affected areas,one area at a time.Be very gentle,rub until the product has been absorbed( most of it).

Avoid going near the eye area or lips as it can cause redness and peeling.Also take care not to touch any colored fabric as BP is a bleaching agent as well.Do not over rub as it can irritate the skin.Be very gentle.

Leave on the product which is not absorbed.It will go away when you moisturize.On the spot has a better and creamy formula,but takes longer to absorb. 
Brevoxyl might be a little dry.A benzoyl peroxide gel formula works best,but I couldn't find it.Now Acne.org manufactures their own BP gel which is a lot better than over the counter products.  

3)-Wait for 15 minutes.Wash your hands.Now Moisturize.Take a liberal amount and pat and rub very gently until the moisturizer is absorbed.Do not go near the eye area or lips as this can carry BP over along with moisturizer and itching and peeling starts.If your face is shiny,pat with a soft tissue.Don't rub just pat gently.

4)-Repeat the process in the night.For the first week just do it in the morning.In the night, just wash and  moisturize.

I just can not stress the importance of moisturizing enough.You see the more diligently you moisturize the better will be your skin and softer it will be.Moisturizing reduces irritation and redness.

PRECAUTIONS:

AS I mentioned earlier,BP is a bleaching agent so do not touch color and  dyed fabrics when you have BP on your hands.

Use a good hand cream as well,as you might experience some peeling in the hands because you rub the BP with fingers.

Read all the instructions DAN gives.Read them here.Print them out or write them and put it on your wall so you do not forget anything.

Be gentle and very very patient.This will work.Just don't rush anything.

NOTE:

For over the counter products that Dan recommends click here.Now,Dan is manufacturing the regimen products to reduce side effects and ensure effectiveness. 

Here is a list of products you can shop from acne.org.They ship to Pakistan and acceptcredit card(I don't have shopping experience with them) 

         HOW THE REGIMEN HELPED  ME WITH BACK ACNE/BACNE

I also had back acne.I had so many pimples on my back that you couldn't even count them. After treating my face I used the same regimen on back.

As the back skin is tougher than face,I used DUAC gel(10% BP) in place of brevoxyl. 

My bacne cleared up.Thank God. The only problem was rubbing my own back :( but as  I was very sure that treatment would work so I  just took the challenge.Some days my sister helped me with it.

                                               MY SKIN TODAY

This is what my skin looks like now.These are Closeups showing post acne scars.As you can see there is no active lesion on my face.I occasionally get zits but nothing major.As for scars they developed because of late treatment.

Forhead

Cheek

Anyways,I really hope someone out there reading this post might find it useful.I sincerely wish that it works for those who have been afflicted with acne,just like it worked for me.

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