This is the story about my encounter with a sudden acne breakout
some months ago. Not that I have a flawless skin , I am blessed with
a sensitive oily skin , thanks to my genes!!!! My skin needs a lot of
'looking after' in order to remain clear and fresh. I have to be
careful especially during and after periods every month because I
believe that's the time oil secretion goes up and even after all the
cleansing routine ,one mighty pimple manages to show up from nowhere.
However, last December I suddenly had a breakout. Never had such a breakout even during my teens,,, made me very depressed, it was in one cheek. Was trying to understand the reason but before I could figure out what really happened I had more coming. Horrible' it was.... And when one left it managed to leave a scar behind. Made me go mad at once. Advises and suggestion started pouring from all ends. After it went on for a month, I decided to go and consult a Dermatologist.
My Dermatologist explained to me that due to stress levels oil secretion goes high clogging the pores, bacteria feeding on them causes these painful bumps. She prescribed a topical antibiotic (Clindamycin very commonly used on acne ), a topical retinoid known to enhance the efficacy of Clindamycin and a hydroxyl acid face cleanser. I was warned that retinoid cream would make the underlying acne or comedons to show up, so don't expect immediate clearing " you will see results after a month". I was left with no option but to try these medicines!!!, I started using and as she mentioned I noticed more small zits showing up.
After using the products for almost two weeks, I noticed my cheek is looking worst then ever, Painful pimples plus the dryness from the medicines had made it worst. My skin was looking very irritated – pimples, redness, itchy patches all made my skin look very very angry!
Suddenly,I was restless again and wanted an immediate relief. I decided to take things in my own hands. I started reading all the material I could find in the internet about Acne and skin care.Finally, I decided to stop the Medicines and go my own way.
Few initial changes that I made-
1. Changing my face towel every other day. Washing it with mild detergent and drying .
For the skin I read a lot of reviews and carefully chose my facial products. I decided to get Body Shop's Tea tree Cleanser and pore minimizing moisturizer. Its natural and completely non drying. Yet once in a while when I felt dryness I used Cetaphil moisturizer, its non-comedogenic and Hypoallergenic.
At night I made a fresh paste of sandalwood and spot applied on the live pimples and also on the scars.
I started cleansing my face 3-4 times a day with my Body Shop Tea Tree cleanser then rolled an ice cube to shut those clean pores, Use the Tea Tree moisturizer which minimizes the pore size further. I used the Clindamycin antibiotic gel on any live pimple so it helped to clear them faster.
I began to see a change within a fortnight itself. At first the number of zits appearing at one time reduced , it was like I had only one at any given point and then slowly even that cleared out. After a month I had no new pimples but I was left to deal with those ugly scars all those little monsters left behind. . I read a lot and understood that these marks have no overnight solution, It would fade as my skin shades the topmost layers and I can see significant changes only after 3-4 months. I used a facial scrub for sensitive skin twice a week so that it helps to remove dead skin..
Important points for maintaining clear skin( for those having oily and sensitive skin)--
Products that I considered using for my regimen-
Cleanser- Body Shop Tea tree facial cleanser, L'Oreal 360 face wash for sensitive skin.
Moisturizer- Body Shop Tea Tree moisturizer, Cetaphil Moisturizing lotion.
Shampoo- Nizrols, Schwarzkopf deep cleaning shampoo.
Make up- Mac Studio fix powder foundation, L'Oreal true match concealer.
Hope this is of some help to those struggling with Acne and oily skin problems. Please do leave your comments and let me know about your own experiences with oily and problematic skin.
However, last December I suddenly had a breakout. Never had such a breakout even during my teens,,, made me very depressed, it was in one cheek. Was trying to understand the reason but before I could figure out what really happened I had more coming. Horrible' it was.... And when one left it managed to leave a scar behind. Made me go mad at once. Advises and suggestion started pouring from all ends. After it went on for a month, I decided to go and consult a Dermatologist.
My Dermatologist explained to me that due to stress levels oil secretion goes high clogging the pores, bacteria feeding on them causes these painful bumps. She prescribed a topical antibiotic (Clindamycin very commonly used on acne ), a topical retinoid known to enhance the efficacy of Clindamycin and a hydroxyl acid face cleanser. I was warned that retinoid cream would make the underlying acne or comedons to show up, so don't expect immediate clearing " you will see results after a month". I was left with no option but to try these medicines!!!, I started using and as she mentioned I noticed more small zits showing up.
After using the products for almost two weeks, I noticed my cheek is looking worst then ever, Painful pimples plus the dryness from the medicines had made it worst. My skin was looking very irritated – pimples, redness, itchy patches all made my skin look very very angry!
Suddenly,I was restless again and wanted an immediate relief. I decided to take things in my own hands. I started reading all the material I could find in the internet about Acne and skin care.Finally, I decided to stop the Medicines and go my own way.
Few initial changes that I made-
1. Changing my face towel every other day. Washing it with mild detergent and drying .
- Changing my pillow cover twice a week.
- Trimmed my nails as much as I could ( Nails do carry a lot of
germs, and with all that going on in your face, you develop a
tendency to touch your face and feel those zits)
- Made it a point to wash my hands every two hours and started
using a sanitizer.
- Got a ketokonazole shampoo to cleanse my scalp, I had
dandruff and that might also irritate oily skin.
- Started taking a blood purifier (Safi) twice a day. I have
read negative reviews about Safi saying it contains metal etc, But it really
worked for me . I decided to take it for only a couple of months.
- Started drinking 2-3 liters of water a day.
For the skin I read a lot of reviews and carefully chose my facial products. I decided to get Body Shop's Tea tree Cleanser and pore minimizing moisturizer. Its natural and completely non drying. Yet once in a while when I felt dryness I used Cetaphil moisturizer, its non-comedogenic and Hypoallergenic.
At night I made a fresh paste of sandalwood and spot applied on the live pimples and also on the scars.
I started cleansing my face 3-4 times a day with my Body Shop Tea Tree cleanser then rolled an ice cube to shut those clean pores, Use the Tea Tree moisturizer which minimizes the pore size further. I used the Clindamycin antibiotic gel on any live pimple so it helped to clear them faster.
I began to see a change within a fortnight itself. At first the number of zits appearing at one time reduced , it was like I had only one at any given point and then slowly even that cleared out. After a month I had no new pimples but I was left to deal with those ugly scars all those little monsters left behind. . I read a lot and understood that these marks have no overnight solution, It would fade as my skin shades the topmost layers and I can see significant changes only after 3-4 months. I used a facial scrub for sensitive skin twice a week so that it helps to remove dead skin..
Important points for maintaining clear skin( for those having oily and sensitive skin)--
- Always choose your skin care products carefully. Look for
products which says Hypoallergenic and Non-comedogenic.(
Hypoallergenic means its tested for allergy and less likely to cause
any skin allergies and Non-comedogenic means it would not clog the
pores)
- Cleansing is the key here. Use a mild soap-free cleanser
at least 3-4 times a day. Roll an ice after washing during summer or
those days when your face looks more oily. It helps to shut the
pores close.
- Keep your nails trimmed at all times and wash your hands
frequently followed by a sanitizer. Trust me your nails play a major
role in messing up your Acne condition. Key is to keep it squeaky clean at all
times.
- Make sure you have a clean scalp. Use a good deep cleansing
shampoo for your scalp. Mostly if you have an oily skin, you are
likely to have an oily and sensitive scalp too.
- Special skin care routine during and until a week after
Periods. Due to hormonal changes your skin tends to become more
sensitive and produce more oil during this time of the month and
therefore you must keep it extra clean at this time.
- Try not to get any facials or beauty treatments done during and
until one week after periods. Also, don't try any new skin care or
make up products at this time.
- Drink loads of fluid. 3-4 liters of water plus cutting down
on oily food will help you to stay fresh.
- Oily skin has the tendency to get tanned very easily and if you use acidic products on your skin it would make it further photosensitive. Avoid sun exposure as much as possible.
Products that I considered using for my regimen-
Cleanser- Body Shop Tea tree facial cleanser, L'Oreal 360 face wash for sensitive skin.
Moisturizer- Body Shop Tea Tree moisturizer, Cetaphil Moisturizing lotion.
Shampoo- Nizrols, Schwarzkopf deep cleaning shampoo.
Make up- Mac Studio fix powder foundation, L'Oreal true match concealer.
Hope this is of some help to those struggling with Acne and oily skin problems. Please do leave your comments and let me know about your own experiences with oily and problematic skin.
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| Improvement from left to right taken in December,January and February.. |
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