First time to the Derm - 2nd Update

SouthrnGirl · ‎04-12-2010

Well ladies, it has been 10 days since I've seen the dermatologist. I've been doing mostly everything the doctor said to do (except the Vaseline) - Cetaphil cleanser in the am and pm, CeraVe moisturizer am/pm, vitamin C serum in the am, Clindamycin solution, Urea 10%, and no Clarisonic or Purity.

I haven't had a chance to use the Retin-A yet because my insurance company just approved it today (went from $245 to $15 yay!). And I did not use Vaseline for a makeup remover. I just didn't like it. So I used the Cetaphil to remove makeup. It doesn't do a great job as a remover, but it will do until I can go back and get a recommendation for something else.

So, in 10 days time I can tell you I have seen a really nice improvement in my skin - no breakouts at all, good texture, and not dry at ALL. I'm really loving my new routine. I'll have to see how the Retin-A works, and the antibiotic. I don't take the antibiotic until I start having a flare up. Overall, pretty satisfied - so far.

Thanks for letting me share. In all actuality, I don't think I ever would have gone to the Derm if it weren't for reading all the posts and comments here.

Nadine · ‎03-11-2010

I missed your first update. Did you mention which vit c serum you are using? Also your derm told you not to use clarisonic? Just more reasons not spend a fortune on skincare products.

Sounds like you're having good results without breaking the bank.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/28/2015 Nadine said:
I missed your first update. Did you mention which vit c serum you are using? Also your derm told you not to use clarisonic? Just more reasons not spend a fortune on skincare products.

Sounds like you're having good results without breaking the bank.

Not to use a Clarisonic is an individual decision based on your skin type and issues. What a doctor recommends to one patient often differs for another.

Another good reason, I'd say, not to get medical advice from a bulletin board. Just use what you read here as a starting point to do your own research.

KarenQVC · ‎05-13-2010

Congrats! To me the important thing is you have medical backup if something goes wrong with your skin--ever. Best way to go. (I use the Olay gentle/sensitive wipes to remove eye and other MU. Your dr. may have a wipe to recommend. They are so easy.)

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/28/2015 SouthrnGirl said:
Well ladies, it has been 10 days since I've seen the dermatologist. I've been doing mostly everything the doctor said to do (except the Vaseline) - Cetaphil cleanser in the am and pm, CeraVe moisturizer am/pm, vitamin C serum in the am, Clindamycin solution, Urea 10%, and no Clarisonic or Purity.

I haven't had a chance to use the Retin-A yet because my insurance company just approved it today (went from $245 to $15 yay!). And I did not use Vaseline for a makeup remover. I just didn't like it. So I used the Cetaphil to remove makeup. It doesn't do a great job as a remover, but it will do until I can go back and get a recommendation for something else.

So, in 10 days time I can tell you I have seen a really nice improvement in my skin - no breakouts at all, good texture, and not dry at ALL. I'm really loving my new routine. I'll have to see how the Retin-A works, and the antibiotic. I don't take the antibiotic until I start having a flare up. Overall, pretty satisfied - so far.

Thanks for letting me share. In all actuality, I don't think I ever would have gone to the Derm if it weren't for reading all the posts and comments here.

I have been to several dermatogists in my life time and I have never heard of any of them recomending Vaseline, it is thick and clogs the pores.

Interesting how different doctors believe in different things

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

SouthrnGirl · ‎04-12-2010

On 1/28/2015 I am still oxox said:
On 1/28/2015 SouthrnGirl said:
Well ladies, it has been 10 days since I've seen the dermatologist. I've been doing mostly everything the doctor said to do (except the Vaseline) - Cetaphil cleanser in the am and pm, CeraVe moisturizer am/pm, vitamin C serum in the am, Clindamycin solution, Urea 10%, and no Clarisonic or Purity.

I haven't had a chance to use the Retin-A yet because my insurance company just approved it today (went from $245 to $15 yay!). And I did not use Vaseline for a makeup remover. I just didn't like it. So I used the Cetaphil to remove makeup. It doesn't do a great job as a remover, but it will do until I can go back and get a recommendation for something else.

So, in 10 days time I can tell you I have seen a really nice improvement in my skin - no breakouts at all, good texture, and not dry at ALL. I'm really loving my new routine. I'll have to see how the Retin-A works, and the antibiotic. I don't take the antibiotic until I start having a flare up. Overall, pretty satisfied - so far.

Thanks for letting me share. In all actuality, I don't think I ever would have gone to the Derm if it weren't for reading all the posts and comments here.

I have been to several dermatogists in my life time and I have never heard of any of them recomending Vaseline, it is thick and clogs the pores.

Interesting how different doctors believe in different things

I agree! It's the one thing that I didn't agree with trying. But she did tell me that was "her personal decision" and she wasn't necessarily prescribing it to me.

SouthrnGirl · ‎04-12-2010

On 1/28/2015 Nadine said:
I missed your first update. Did you mention which vit c serum you are using? Also your derm told you not to use clarisonic? Just more reasons not spend a fortune on skincare products.

Sounds like you're having good results without breaking the bank.

Nadine, here was my first update:

UPDATE! I just got back from the dermatologist. Amazingly insightful! I brought with me all of my current skin care: Philosophy Purity, Clinique cleansing balm (I switch back and forth sometimes because Purity dries me out; CeraVe AM and PM; CeraVe Eye Cream, Philosophy Vitamin C Powder and Serum; Revlon Color Stay foundation, Bare Minerals foundation, Tarte foundation (I alternate); Clarisonic.

She said to toss the purity, the clarisonic, the Clinique, and the Revlon. She said a true mineral foundation is best. She also said the Tarte is good, and recommended the Benefit powder foundation that can be used with a brush or sponge.

She said to keep using the CereVe AM/PM, start using Cetaphil face wash, and she said I could still use the vitamin C serum and CeraVe Eye Cream if I wanted. She said there was nothing in there that would hurt or interfere. She said to use Vaseline with Cocoa Butter to remove eye makeup (completely shocked me).

I was heartbroken about the Clarisonic but she said there is no effective way to get all the dirty oils that build up and seep into the bristles, and that you would have to change the brush head too frequently which would be cost prohibitive. She did not say it caused broken capillaries, etc. In the garbage it goes.

She gave me a prescription for Retin-A to use .025%, a prescription for urea 10% to be mixed with the Cetaphil, equal parts, let it set on my face for 30 seconds and then rinse off and then cleanse my face. She gave me an antibiotic prescription for Minocycline and said when I see the first sign of a flare up to take a 7 day round of antibiotics and then stop. Lastly she gave me a prescription for Clindamycin 1% solution. She said she wanted to start with an aggressive plan for a month and then re-evaluate to see if we need to stay with the same plan or change it.

This seems like a lot but I'm willing to try it. I told myself I would do whatever she suggested and toss products she thought were not good for me. So that is what I'm doing. Even though I hate to.

suzyQ3 · ‎03-09-2010

I doubt that your derm is alone in recommending petroleum jelly. Yes, it's thick, but it does NOT clog pores. Texture and the ability to clog pores are two very different qualities. See this info on many credible sites, including HERE on futurederm. com. But if you just don't enjoy using it, I'm sure you can find a reasonable alternative.

I have started using a new cleanser recommended to me by a poster here (HappyDaze), and it is the first that I've ever had that removes all my makeup (including my waterproof eyeliner).

But not remembering just what your skin problems were, I won't suggest trying it at this point. If I were you, I would stick as closely as you can to your derm's advice.

~Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle~ Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland