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Adapalene (Differin) Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Trial
- Thread starter Inanimate
- Start date
this came up last month actually. my gp said I needed to stop taking the lymecycline immediately as I've been on it and doxy for over 2 years and it can cause liver problems and i would need to have my bloods checked. Cue me getting very worried about the whole situation. Bloods came back normal and gp said she would like to put me back on the antibiotic but have my bloods checked annually from now on. To be honest it has left me feeling a little uneasy so I shall try to find some alternatives.
Iām about three days overdue for my 12 week report, but I suppose that the delay was worth it. As of now, Iām dealing with a breakout, which consists of 5 inflammatory lesions, that I probably wouldnāt have documented had I stayed on schedule. While Iām disappointed and frustrated, in no way am I shocked considering the history of failure that preceded this treatment; it would be naĆÆve of me to expect a linear trend of results. However, I do anticipate these lesions to resolve faster than they typically have without a retinoid, save for this one, peeved-looking papule on my right cheek. Furthermore, three months of daily use is only the maximum recommended timeframe in which one should expect an onset of results; in fact, I planned to use this treatment for a minimum of six months in order to gauge the full benefit.
My routine is, in essence, unchanged with exception to the placement of my acne treatments. I went back to using a benzoyl peroxide (BPO) wash at daytime and the adapalene gel at night within the first week of doing the opposite. I just found that shaving and showering all at once was too time-consuming; therefore, like my irritating acne treatments, I spaced those tasks out again.
If you want to know how Iām treating this breakout, Iām just doing the same thing followed by spot treating at night with a mild concentration of BPO in a gel vehicle: 2.5% to be exact.
My order of operations goes like this:
Non-Soap Face Wash > Fragrance-Free Moisturizer > Adapalene Gel > BPO Spot Treatment
Anything above 2.5-5% is needless punishment and tends to desiccate the crap out of my acne. For any lesion to heal, moisturized skin is the optimal environment. Donāt fall victim to consumers raving on the internet about something ādrying outā their acne as though itās a good thing. Dryness in this context is nothing but a side effect that buffers the healing process. If drying out your acne is the way to go, then a blow dryer is all you need. No glorified blow dryers required.
My routine is, in essence, unchanged with exception to the placement of my acne treatments. I went back to using a benzoyl peroxide (BPO) wash at daytime and the adapalene gel at night within the first week of doing the opposite. I just found that shaving and showering all at once was too time-consuming; therefore, like my irritating acne treatments, I spaced those tasks out again.
If you want to know how Iām treating this breakout, Iām just doing the same thing followed by spot treating at night with a mild concentration of BPO in a gel vehicle: 2.5% to be exact.
My order of operations goes like this:
Non-Soap Face Wash > Fragrance-Free Moisturizer > Adapalene Gel > BPO Spot Treatment
Anything above 2.5-5% is needless punishment and tends to desiccate the crap out of my acne. For any lesion to heal, moisturized skin is the optimal environment. Donāt fall victim to consumers raving on the internet about something ādrying outā their acne as though itās a good thing. Dryness in this context is nothing but a side effect that buffers the healing process. If drying out your acne is the way to go, then a blow dryer is all you need. No glorified blow dryers required.
I've a few spots too on my face but it's not as bad as it could be.
I've started using epiduo on my shoulders.
Lymecycline (antibiotics) seems to be ramping down the spots all over my body but not getting rid of them. The way we'll see the real help would be if I'm basically clear where I'm using epiduo. I want to get rid of acne elsewhere because some of the places can be really annoying but I'm granted it's much better.
When acne some facial areas is completely gone I'm going to try using Differin. Differin is a cream that supposedly helps rid scarring by peeling away the skin.
I am lucky in this sense that I live in England. I paid about a hundred for yearly prescriptions, which means that now all prescriptions are 'free'. More like I've paid for them but it's less.
@Bloop this is relevant for you. Supposedly if scars are disfiguring then you may be able to get laser treatment under the NHS. (She was very clear that laser would only work for acne scars).
I've started using epiduo on my shoulders.
Lymecycline (antibiotics) seems to be ramping down the spots all over my body but not getting rid of them. The way we'll see the real help would be if I'm basically clear where I'm using epiduo. I want to get rid of acne elsewhere because some of the places can be really annoying but I'm granted it's much better.
When acne some facial areas is completely gone I'm going to try using Differin. Differin is a cream that supposedly helps rid scarring by peeling away the skin.
I am lucky in this sense that I live in England. I paid about a hundred for yearly prescriptions, which means that now all prescriptions are 'free'. More like I've paid for them but it's less.
@Bloop this is relevant for you. Supposedly if scars are disfiguring then you may be able to get laser treatment under the NHS. (She was very clear that laser would only work for acne scars).
Nearly 14 weeks into applying adapalene exclusively on my face, I just used up my $12, 0.5 oz tube. In other words, I finished a ā1 month supplyā in over 3 months. Unless I have a comically small face, or unless I use this on my body to boot, this drug isnāt as expensive as I once thought. Since I was given a 1.6 oz gel as a gift, I have nothing to lose by persevering with this treatment, which will last at least until early 2021.
Furthermore, Iāve been slowly incorporating a cosmeceutical retinol product into my routine for use on my neck. Retinol, like adapalene, is a retinoid, but itās a bottom feeder in that itās a rather distant precursor. To that effect, itās less bioavailable but also less irritating, which I find more appropriate for my neck since acne there is already well controlled.
@Innocent Forever, itās good to hear that Epiduo is showing some promise. Also, I have to ask: since both Epiduo and Differin contain adapalene, what can Differin do that Epiduo canāt for your scarring?
That mustāve blown, but good thing you had Accutane to count on.
Furthermore, Iāve been slowly incorporating a cosmeceutical retinol product into my routine for use on my neck. Retinol, like adapalene, is a retinoid, but itās a bottom feeder in that itās a rather distant precursor. To that effect, itās less bioavailable but also less irritating, which I find more appropriate for my neck since acne there is already well controlled.
@Innocent Forever, itās good to hear that Epiduo is showing some promise. Also, I have to ask: since both Epiduo and Differin contain adapalene, what can Differin do that Epiduo canāt for your scarring?
That mustāve blown, but good thing you had Accutane to count on.
Interesting to read experiences. I used and while I donāt have cystic or regular but hormonal/diary type acne..... it made mine worse. I started having acne all month. Specifically it messed my forehead up. I thought those dark spots would never go away. They did but I was super upset. Threw away tube. Never to darken my doorstep again.
Same here, but although mine didnāt get worse, it doesnāt seem to be getting better.
Adapalene/Differin, as far as Iām aware, only became available OTC in the states, so I imagine thatās why.
Yes! At least something good has come of this thread.
In hindsight, the way that I went about introducing all three actives into my routine was a bit overzealous. I hadnāt ever acclimated to routine use of a benzoyl peroxide leave-on product, much less in combination with adapalene, so Iāve started building up my tolerance by replacing the medicated wash that I use in the day with the gel/lotion. Once I become comfortable with this regimen, I may begin using my actives together at night as opposed to alternating them.
Also, I suspect that friction from pillow cases may be worsening acne on my cheeks, but am I committed to sleepless nights in an attempt to sleep on my back? Hell no! However, Iām at least considering replacing my pillows, which are long overdue for a replacement, and replacing my current pillow cases with silk pillow cases.
Yes! At least something good has come of this thread.
In hindsight, the way that I went about introducing all three actives into my routine was a bit overzealous. I hadnāt ever acclimated to routine use of a benzoyl peroxide leave-on product, much less in combination with adapalene, so Iāve started building up my tolerance by replacing the medicated wash that I use in the day with the gel/lotion. Once I become comfortable with this regimen, I may begin using my actives together at night as opposed to alternating them.
Also, I suspect that friction from pillow cases may be worsening acne on my cheeks, but am I committed to sleepless nights in an attempt to sleep on my back? Hell no! However, Iām at least considering replacing my pillows, which are long overdue for a replacement, and replacing my current pillow cases with silk pillow cases.
So I know that I alluded to possibly reintroducing salicylic acid into my regimen, but that effort was short-lived; Iām not giving up on this retinoid, and I donāt want to risk compromising its success with any unnecessary variables.
On the other hand, Iām focusing more on consistency by applying adapalene every night at the same time no matter what time I shower at night. I wish I had done this when I started this treatment months ago, but I wasnāt confident about whether or not applying it within a few hours after washing my face would be effective. Well, as long as I donāt roll around in dirt and grease after my shower, I should be fine.
September 30th will mark 6 months of treatment. If I understand correctly, retinoids take longer to resolve and control acne than the relatively fast-acting OTC treatments, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, but are highly effective for at least mild to moderate acne. However, Iād expect to notice improvement after 3 months of daily use, but Iām not confident that I have. Either way, Iām sticking with the plan, and Iāve got nothing to lose (besides hope).
On the other hand, Iām focusing more on consistency by applying adapalene every night at the same time no matter what time I shower at night. I wish I had done this when I started this treatment months ago, but I wasnāt confident about whether or not applying it within a few hours after washing my face would be effective. Well, as long as I donāt roll around in dirt and grease after my shower, I should be fine.
September 30th will mark 6 months of treatment. If I understand correctly, retinoids take longer to resolve and control acne than the relatively fast-acting OTC treatments, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, but are highly effective for at least mild to moderate acne. However, Iād expect to notice improvement after 3 months of daily use, but Iām not confident that I have. Either way, Iām sticking with the plan, and Iāve got nothing to lose (besides hope).
Every time I think that Iām finally controlling my acne, my skin takes a sharp 180. Itās beyond my comprehension as to whether or not these factors are playing into it:
In summary, fuck this shit.
- my subpar diet
- my suboptimal sleep patterns (because hurdeedur Daylight Savings)
- my egregious mental health
- my abominable genetics
In summary, fuck this shit.
No, Iām not interested in dating. Itās a problem because:
- Itās painful
- It carries the risk of scarring
- It leaves dark marks that persist for months
- Itās disfiguring
- It makes shaving and grooming more tedious than it already is
So obviously Iām unsatisfied with adapalene as far as acne control goes, but I neglected to mention the upsides of this treatment. While it hasnāt had a significant impact on the frequency and severity of my breakouts, I did appreciate:
For those benefits alone, Iām still compelled to continue using vitamin A derivatives as part of my routine, whether it be in the form of adapalene or what have you. Nonetheless, I still ought to see a dermatologist in order to figure out whatās going on and, of course, to prevent further scarring.
- a faster clearance of breakouts
- a faster clearance of post-acne marks
- a reduction in oiliness
- an absence of acne along the hairline and temples (or pomade acne)
For those benefits alone, Iām still compelled to continue using vitamin A derivatives as part of my routine, whether it be in the form of adapalene or what have you. Nonetheless, I still ought to see a dermatologist in order to figure out whatās going on and, of course, to prevent further scarring.