i residual hyperpigmentation using the pill years ago (that do major damage to my skin, not acne was not bad enough) and now I tried the dark spots to be treated with glycolic acid and azelex. but I go on vacation in a sunny spot for one week (thank God, Boston is killing me) and I have a good, non-acnegenic sunblock.

any advice? thanks so much!

To answer your question, I only wash with prescription Plexion wash in the shower in the morning. I don't use anthing else (medication, that is) during the day, or else I found I was getting the greasy feel and look. I limit all my treating to the evening time, namely the Retin A Micro and Finacea, and a little eye cream, of course.

[This message has been edited by guy (edited 10-16-2003).]

I also just started taking 75 mg of Doryx.

I am also looking for a new cleanser and or toner. Any suggestions?

Also . when these medicines on your face (like Differin and Azelex) How much do you use and will make a difference if you do not use the exact right amount?

Evening:
Cetaphil detergent (not benzoyl peroxide)
Proactiv toner (glycolic acid)
Retin-A

I know Retin- A does not like Benzoyl peroxide. But is it okay to use in combination with glycolic acid and Azelex?

Thanks!

guy

I use the Azelex at night and the Glytone in the morning just because I wanted a moisturizer and this seemed to help, but you could try using the Azelex night and day and see if that helps.

The Proactiv face wash doesn't really dry my skin out, but on the days when my skin is feeling dry, I use Cetaphil. I rarely flake at all, except if I do an overkill spot treatment, and then I peel about 2 millimeters around the spot that I was trying to annihalate. I usually have 1-2 spots on my face, and get about 1 cystic spot the week before my period (so yes, I guess it is related). I'm on birth control pills (Marvelon), but I don't think they're making much difference.

Do you use Azelex day and night, or just day? Maybe I should forget the Retin-A and just add Azelex to my night regimen?

guy

Thanks

The azelex cream is rx only by a doc and I'm pretty sure they have it in the u.k. The Zap It bar is over the counter antibacterial soap with 10% BP. It's made by one of the big companies, clearasil, oxy, etc. I can't remember which though….both of these are working wonders for me!

Good luck!:wave:

Thanks for the reply, I started using it two nights ago, and I have to say
wow! I had a huge zit, the kind that is under the skin that hurts, about the size of my chin! Anyway its almost gone! I only use it at night, and I do notice that it will sting a little on the zit, but not anything horribly painful. Another little trick I found for those zits that are already out there, Origin makes this stuff called spot remover. It dries them up so fast! Let me know how you are doing on it. How often do you use it? Do you use a mositurizer after? I wash my face with Cetaphil, my derm recommended, and then apply the azelex cream. I wonder if you can put mositurizer on after? Good luck!

Wooo Hooo guy! That's great to hear the you are responding well to the azelex! I have just done my third night and I have to say I continue to be impressed with the results! I now have no bumps at all under my skin and I have a few little scabs and three marks which appear to be fading already! I don't know why in the word I was never put on this stuff before?! Hmmm, well my derm told me to start using Zap It soap and as soon as I wash or get out of the shower – pat my skin dry – apply the azelex. Then after put a moistrizer on…..one with sunscreen for day and a regular moisturizer at night. So the night time one after azelex cream is called Vanicream and then I use Olay Complete for day time. So I use the Azelex 2 times day day. I haven't noticed any crazy drying. A bit of itching after I apply, but it goes away quickly.

I'll have to check into the spot remover stuff. Sounds like another great product!

Good luck to you also!:wave:

Thanks for the reply, I started using it two nights ago, and I have to say
wow! I had a huge zit, the kind that is under the skin that hurts, about the size of my chin! Anyway its almost gone! I only use it at night, and I do notice that it will sting a little on the zit, but not anything horribly painful. Another little trick I found for those zits that are already out there, Origin makes this stuff called spot remover. It dries them up so fast! Let me know how you are doing on it. How often do you use it? Do you use a mositurizer after? I wash my face with Cetaphil, my derm recommended, and then apply the azelex cream. I wonder if you can put mositurizer on after? Good luck!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Alot of people on here had the same reaction though–I would think it would go away. You're face just didn't tolerate tazorac well.

Here is some background first: In my first derm visit: I was prescribed azelex, clindamycin and doxycycline. I stop using the anitbiotic and clindamycin, and now Im just using azelex. I went back to the derm and he prescribed more azelex – 45 grams (of 30 I was using) and Retin A 0.025% – 45 grams (which I never used). I deleted the azelex however, very significant, I have many small bumps and blackheads and whiteheads that I need to get rid of. Im just looking for some comments from people who have used the combination of azelex and Retin A, or have used one of them.

thanks and God bless.

ps. – I have no insurance and Retin A will cost about 170 and about 70 azelex – Im not sure I can the regime of using both consistantly afford. which one is my best bet? (I live in the Virgin Islands – thats why they are more expensive than the mainland)

I went TO doctor and he said to the first use something to STOP the pimples (antibiotics, differin gel). Then make those red stains disappear using this Azelex Cream. My face looks so much better and although there is some hint of red on my cheeks that helped a lot. So if anyone has a problem with red markings on their acne pevious ask your doctor about Azelex.

yes, I think along with your Azelax use, you still have to have some sort of creamor antibiotics to help stop the pimples so those don't come and leave red marks.

So yeah probably around 20 dollars for the Azalex. Hope this helps!