Saturday, September 06, 2003
Week 16:
Skin is about the same as last week. The 3 pimples that popped up last week on my right temple are still here, but the one on my left temple seems to have subsided.
This morning, I noticed a new bumpy one off my chin on the left side.
The last time I really went indepth with my acne was week 12. So, I figure, I can do the same this week since it has been almost a month.
Skin condition:
The forehead is getting better definitely. Still not totally clear, but definitely better. The zits that I wrote about in week 12 and 13 have subsided. A couple are totally gone, but some are still in the process of sudsiding.
The left temple has red marks from the old pimples there and maybe one subsiding pimple, but otherwise clearing up. The right temple has red marks from old pimples and 2 active pimples and one subsiding one.
The chin is mostly clear, except for 2 or 3 subsiding ones toward the tip and 2 subsiding ones on the side under the lips. One active one that I notice today on the left side of my chin.
The jawline has cleared up, too. I can't see it very clearly towards the sides, but I can feel one active one near my left ear. Speaking of the left ear, there's one active one that is right where my sideburns are. These 2 hurts! Otherwise, the jawline is getting better with maybe a few subsiding ones.
The neck has a few sibsiding ones. But I feel like it hasn't really improved much. I got 2 bumps on the left side of my neck and 3 bumps on the right side. However, there's a few more than that. The 5 bumps that I've mentioned are the noticeable ones. There are a few flatter ones. That's why I call them "subsiding," because they're flattening out, but I can still see traces of them. Sometimes, if I rub them, I can feel bumps.
Now, the cheeks: I think the cheeks have improved. They're less inflamed, flaky, and raw. I've continued to use lotion every few nights when my face feels especially dry and tight.
The left cheek: The HUGE one from week 10 is here, but a lot smaller. When will it go away? The 3 eruptions from week 12 is still here as well, but I think they have subsided a bit. Altogether, I'd say that there's about 7-9 bumps. Bumps include ones that are subsiding.
The right cheek: about 3-5 bumps. There seems to be 2 new pimples that are trying to come out near the right side of the cheek. (Please, go away...please!)
I wrote about 2 pimples in areas that I hate (between my eyes and nose) on week 12. Well, the one on my nose never really came out (thank goodness) and I think has went away completely now :::knock on wood::: and the one between the eyes seem to have become smaller, not noticeable, but I can still feel it there.
Speaking of bad places, I feel that one of the worst places to have a zit is on my upper lip, where the facial hair is. Gosh...who'd want to kiss you now? I hate it when I get one there, no matter how small. Well, I got one there this week. It wasn't big. In fact, you can call it a clogged pore or a bumpy nothing. But still. It wasn't particularly noticeable, but I was so scared. Good thing, it went away already. It was the first (and I hope, last) clogged pore around that area since I started Accutane.
Overall, my skin has made positive progress and I'm so happy and thankful! Please keep it up, both skin and Accutane!
I am in no way close to clear, but definitely better than the warzone that was my face a few weeks ago. Less flaky, less irritated, less inflamed, less bumpy. Definitely less bumpy! Definitely less scabs!
Side effects:
As usual, dry skin and lips. Dry lips more than dry skin. Dry hair. I only wash my hair 2 or 3 times a week now. Still no conditioner.
Products:
Still using Cetaphil cleanser for normal to oily skin. Still using Cetaphil Lotion (no spf). 2 days ago, I bought Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin, because I thought the Cetaphil Lotion felt too greasy. The Neutrogena lotion definitely feels less greasy, but I don't think it moisturizes as well, because a few hours later, my face started to feel dry and tight again. I stopped using the GNC Aloe Vera Gel because it just seemed more drying than moisturizing and with it on, my face feels tight. However, other users rave about it. I really want to use it. Maybe another time. I use Head and Shoulder Shampoo for normal hair (classic clean), because I read in the acne healthboard that HS has actually helped clear some of those people's acne, especially their back acne, because of the zinc ingredient. I use Chapstick Medicated for my dry lips.
Regime:
morning:
1. wash with Cetaphil cleanser only.
night:
1. Cetaphil cleanser
2. Accutane 60 mg
every few nights:
3. Cetaphil lotion (or from now on, Neutrogena lotion). We'll see.
Note: Sometimes I exfoliate with Proactiv cleanser. However, I do that really seldomly. So far, I've only done it twice.
Misc: Still drinking tons of water, changing my pillowcases, and watching my diet (mostly meats and vegetables; no dairy, juices, sodas, etc). Still keeping hair up most of the time.