28th April 2005
Hi there! That sounds like the same regimen my derm tried to put me on dozens of times!
Retin A micro is just strange! I found that it peeled and peeled and peeled until I was left with the most vulnerable skin ever! I have a few scars from scraping my face with my fingernail while putting the phone to my ear. I stopped using it after 20 unsuccessful weeks.
The Triaz is ok, if you never wear clothes with any color! And, still it's just "ok". Didn't help prevent anything.
I did break down and start Zithromax, once a day for months and months. It worked! No cysts, no major breakouts. I'm considering going back on it now, since I'm getting my summer skin! (more sun+more heat+more oil & sweat=ugly summer skin!)
You do need something for topical use, such as Novacet (if you don't have a sulpur allergy). You need something to battle the bacteria that causes acne, in between showers. The retin A won't do it, at least, not alone. If you get something with Benz/Perox in it, you can only wear white tops and bras or else you'll bleach everything.
Personally, I stay away from anything bar soaps or body cleansing bars. Dove is not formulated for acneic skin types, so you may develop breakouts. You can opt for Neutrogena body wash and facial cleanser. They seem to work quite well if you don't overdry your skin with a lot of topical creams. That along w/just the Zithro may work really well for you, and it's no more expensive than Dove. You aren't taking Accutane, so don't worry right now about drying out your skin! Don't try to pre-empt a condition like dry skin when you are cleary being treated aggresively for acne. It may be ok for you, but read the list of ingredients and do a search on the 6 main ingredients (more or less depending upon how long that list is!), plus any oils or suspicious additives. Phrase your search like "mineral oil causes acne" or "glycerine causes acne". Your search will pull up any related articles or medical posts on the ingredients you are concerned with.
oh! I almost forgot! Keep perfume off of your chest! That is a main cause of chest acne and most women and men don't even realize it. Spray your clothes with your fragrance and then, the wrists only. That may not be your cause at all, but keep it in mind if you do decide to start wearing perfume.
Keep me posted! I want to see how you do on those first few days of Zithro! Don't be alarmed if you get a little sick to your stomach within an hour of the first dose! It's very uncomfortable at first so don't take it before going out somewhere. Good Luck!!! :wave:
