Robert Smith

should I quit Tretinoin? It’s ruined my skin

I am DESPERATE for help! So to start my skin was quite great before, a few dark marks (this is my skin now). I started with the cream and gradually worked my way up, it had been about 4-6 months and the purging just wouldn’t stop so I switched to a gel version instead, still purged and no change. So in total, an entire year. I did the sandwich method I don’t know if perhaps I’m just one of those people that doesn’t tolerate Tretinoin? I can’t tell if it’s purging or barrier irritation but a year of this I don’t know if it’s going to get better. I only ever get spots on my cheeks and nowhere else. I wouldn’t use any other actives and my other products would be very simple such as cerave hydrating cleanser, vanicream moisturiser and beauty of joseon sun screen.

Do I just quit now and move on? If I do quit, how do I then get rid of these marks left over from the spots that I want to get rid of

Please help!

How do I get rid of this deep hole in my forehead skin?

I had a blackhead that was in there for a long time and it left this perfect circle deep hole that is double the size of a pore. I have had this hole for 15 years. How do I get rid of it? Please help me.

Two years progress

Two years of consistent skincare between these photos. Also lost ~60lbs during this time. I’ve been on Tretinoin the entire time but rest of routine has been changing around a little, up until 4 months ago when I finally realized that for my skin, less is more. Really starting to see a difference lately!

Current routine below!

AM:

Elta MD UV clear sunscreen

PM:

Vanicream gentle face cleanser

Alternate nights - Tretinoin 0.05% and azaleic acid 15%

Vanicream daily facial moisturizer

La roche posay cicaplast baum

Once per week I skip tret/AA and do the ordinary BHA/AHA peel.

Old acne scars / adult acne

Hi everyone.

In 2022 I took my 3rd course of accutane (following a change of birth control pills and absolutely terrible health professionals). I think it was the worst my skin has ever looked, I was 33.

I've got it under control now, but the scars have a huge impact on my self esteem.

I've looked into Morpheus but my cosmetic dermatologist that does my Botox and fillers (and is an expert in Korean skin tech) says it won't help much, and said the scars are not that pronounced.

I remember though my accutane dermatologist mentioning filler to manage them, but I haven't seen him in a couple of years (he wasn't very kind/attentive).

This post is part rant, part seeking advice.

What has worked for you that have been in my place?

Thank you

Indentation caused by cortisone shot

I got a lot of responses on my previous post asking if I should get filler in the dent. After all of your comments 🙏🏼 and speaking with more reputable injectors, they all agreed that filler in this area is very risky & most won’t even do it and that my best bet is to try regenerative treatments (microneedling, sculptra, etc.) or if nothing else works, the plastic surgery route (fat transfer, etc.) is really the only other option.
Unfortunately, I do not have that kind of money. Can any of you help me determine if the medspa that caused this could be liable or potentially be responsible for compensating me to get this fixed?
The injector that did this said “she didn’t even know it could happen” and immediately suggested filler, even when I asked if there were risks associated she said no. I just feel like this person should not even be allowed to inject peoples faces 🤦‍♀️

How to Have a routine aside from the treatment?

The first pic is of Nov 24' when I started using tretinoin.025 and isotret (BY DERMATOLOGIST), it cleared the acne but left scars. I didn't use any skincare products except some Facewash containing Salicylic acid or on and off moisturizer. Sometimes sunscreen but never daily.

2nd Pic is of May 25' from which i started using tret only for 2-3 times a week (No dermatologist after this) then stopped altogether later on in Dec 25' until May when acnes started spreading more and now I am again seeing a different derma who has first put me on medication firstly Minocylin HCl for a month and then on Azithromycin to first clear off the acne and given tret only to apply.

I use SPF50, Tret and sometimes facewash containing salicylic acid,LHA, Gluconic etc

Soon he says Laser and Microneedling will help to clear much of the scars.

What I need is just advice about how should I initiate my routine, how to test what fits or not. Also Can the black spots, or be it PIH, purging I don't know, will it go away?

If there is a person with Driest lips ever on this planet , it’s me.

have never seen my lips hydrated or moisturised. They’re always patchy and dry. Any lip balm lasts for like 30 minutes

Vaseline one lasts for 1 hour tho 😭🥀

My acne-prone skin is so tight/dry and is affecting my day to day life.

I’m not even going to bother asking for acne treatment recommendations, because I have tried everything topical you can imagine and nothing works. I’m seeing a derm at the end of this month.

Until then I just desperately need relief for my dry and tight skin.

I do not use any acne products. All I do is

-wash with cerave gentle non-foaming cleanser
-pat semi-dry
-apply moisturizer after cleansing, as well as throughout the day as needed.

The only relief I get is the 2 mins immediately after moisturizing. Then it is dry again. The more moisturizer I put on, the more it aggravates my acne.

It is uncomfortable to eat, to talk, to smile. It is affecting my life. If anyone can recommend anything I greatly appreciate it.

UPDATE: Advice for a Bizarre Bruise

Thank you to the many many people who reached out and suggested I go to the hospital last night for the bruises on my nose and face. It’s pretty hard to get me to a hospital, but the concern everybody had in this subreddit was so sincere and encouraging. I decided to go, and I’m glad that I did.

The ER wasn’t that bad even, I got to sit next to some cool people and see some interesting things lol. I got my CAT scan on my face and my head and it shows no fractures or breaks, and a couple other things because they were looking at my brain. But everything‘s good!

Thank you again to everybody.
Pepper says thank you too!

How do I get rid of this hole scar in my forehead skin?

I got rid of a blackhead that was in there for a long time and now I have had this perfect circle hole scar that is double the size of a pore. It has been there for 15 years. How do I get rid of it? Please help me.