Last week I went to a dermatologist for my acne. I’ve dealt with acne since puberty and I decided to consult a professional because of a particularly bad breakout.
About my skin:
I have combination skin. I’m oily in my T-zone and extremely dry on my jawline. My skin is prone to congestion and hormonal breakouts. I have a condition called Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which contributes to hormonal imbalance and thus creates acne, specifically cystic acne. Cystic acne is painful and the cysts rarely come to a head.
About a month ago my skin broke out in cysts on my chin and forehead almost overnight. They were painful, red, and inflamed. My skin was burning and extremely itchy. I decided to stop using everything, including washing my face and wearing makeup. The only thing I put on my face was water. The burning and itchiness subsided, but the cysts were still red and painful.
Treatment:
I went to my local dermatologist last week to address the acne. My dermatologist said it was a good idea to stop using everything because something was agitating the acne even further. My dermatologist suggested I stop using facial oils. I was also instructed not to pop the cysts. She said pimples should never be popped, especially the ones with no head.
My dermatologist recommended I go back on birth control. This will help keep my hormones in check. She prescribed me oral antibiotics and a topical antiseptic called Epiduo. My routine consists of washing my face with Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser by La Roche-Posay, treating and preventing acne with Epiduo at night, moisturizing with Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer, and applying a mineral sunscreen in the morning.
Results:
I’ve only been doing this routine for a week. That isn’t enough time to evaluate the effects of the products on my skin. I have noticed decreased redness and the bumps on my face aren’t as elevated. The only negative thing I noticed is purging on my chin area, but this is common when starting retinoid.