Dermalogica (Time Frames)

Boo27

Hi All,

This is my first time using a discussion Board, but I really need some advise..

I went off my Dianette about 4 Months ago and in the last couple of months my skin has gotten so bad that im finding it hard to go to work.. I breakout on my Jawline and Lower cheeks and this has been continual for 1 month now and it is getting worse. Big huge red inflammed spots are covering my entire lower and side face. I Finally had enough and paid 70 euro for a prescription dermalogica medi bac facial on fri night, and I aslo bought the medibac clearing kit..

After the facial my skin is now 10 times worse (but i hear that this is normal as it must get worse before it gets better) is this true??

I have also been using the Medibac clearing system since morning and evening.. and I have to say that I have seen no improvement.. 3 days! now I am more that likely not given these products enough time to work but Im a desperate at this stage as my skin is so bad:(!! Can someone please help me and give me an idea of the expected timeframes of these products to starting seeing an improvement rather than newer, bigger and more impossible to cover acne showing up.!!

Any responses are deeply appreciated!!! thanks guys,;)

Lady Luck

Baby I'm sorry, I am completely ignorant in the world of skincare, as my skin always tends to behave. But if its any help, there's this AMAZING concealer I use for my dark dark dark circles. My friend even uses it to cover a tattoo of a star on her neck! Its by MAC and its called Studiofinish concealer. Honestly bby its sooo good. I hope that helped a bit. xx

taram

If you were on dianette before, your acne problem sounds hormonal, so using strong products on the outside, despite acne isn't really going to help. I'd say ring the beautican who prescribed the products and ask them. Though as you say sometimes it does get worse before it gets better, but 10 times worse is a bit much I'd say. Hope it gets sorted soon.

biddywiddy

Hi there
I've been on Dianette for my skin for 5 years now. It was terrible before I went on it and even after things settled down, I was still prone to breakouts. I started using dermalogica products and I do think they helped. They didn't aggravate my acne. Last summer I had a really bad breakout along my jawline and on my chin. I bought the medibac sebum clearing masque and that did help clear things, but my skin was never very good.

Eventually I got fed up and realised that I'm 26 and have been dealing with having s**t skin for about 10 years! Disaster. SO I went to my GP, got a referral to a dermatologist and after 4.5 months on Roaccutane, my skin is now perfect. I am still on dianette, and have no plans to come off it. My dermatologist advised me to stay on it as opposed to switching to another brand of pill.

So while I do think Dermalogica products are good for acne-prone skin, they are not miracle-working. I haven't used the Medibac range for any length of time really, so maybe someone else would give you better advice about it. But I do think the only long-term solution is some sort of prescribed antibiotics/medication. Now I'm not saying Roaccutane is for everyone, and there are side effects involved with it, but if you speak to your GP, this could be an option for you. I just got so tired of always being aware of my skin, and this has really made a difference!

Pythia

I would go back to the GP who took you off Dianette and ask what else they think would work for your skin. There are a number of options. Why did you come off Dianette?

Boo27

Pythia wrote: »

I would go back to the GP who took you off Dianette and ask what else they think would work for your skin. There are a number of options. Why did you come off Dianette?

Hi Pythia, I came off Dianette because it started to make me feel ill. I am now back on it as this is the only option thqat worked, but I am starting to feel ill again and this is making me even more miserable!!:( Ill think you are right... Im going try this medbac for another week . give it time and if there is no change Ill go to hte gp! Roac is defo not a option for me.. My two brothers were on it when they were younger and nasty side effects!!!!! But yes It did work...

Boo27

taram wrote: »

If you were on dianette before, your acne problem sounds hormonal, so using strong products on the outside, despite acne isn't really going to help. I'd say ring the beautican who prescribed the products and ask them. Though as you say sometimes it does get worse before it gets better, but 10 times worse is a bit much I'd say. Hope it gets sorted soon.

Thanks Taram!! I hope so too!!! I dont think this is hormonal.. I think its genetic... all my fathers family suffered with adult acne and I am the unfortunate one that has inherited this . I have now used some panoxyle gel tonight "on instruction from my bofy" who suffered for years and has become my own personal dermaltologist!! (Is that spelt right??:P so lets see if this calms it down... Im open to any suggestions guys at this stage.. Ill put mouldy mushrooms on my face

Boo27

senelra wrote: »

Hi there
I've been on Dianette for my skin for 5 years now. It was terrible before I went on it and even after things settled down, I was still prone to breakouts. I started using dermalogica products and I do think they helped. They didn't aggravate my acne. Last summer I had a really bad breakout along my jawline and on my chin. I bought the medibac sebum clearing masque and that did help clear things, but my skin was never very good.

Eventually I got fed up and realised that I'm 26 and have been dealing with having s**t skin for about 10 years! Disaster. SO I went to my GP, got a referral to a dermatologist and after 4.5 months on Roaccutane, my skin is now perfect. I am still on dianette, and have no plans to come off it. My dermatologist advised me to stay on it as opposed to switching to another brand of pill.

So while I do think Dermalogica products are good for acne-prone skin, they are not miracle-working. I haven't used the Medibac range for any length of time really, so maybe someone else would give you better advice about it. But I do think the only long-term solution is some sort of prescribed antibiotics/medication. Now I'm not saying Roaccutane is for everyone, and there are side effects involved with it, but if you speak to your GP, this could be an option for you. I just got so tired of always being aware of my skin, and this has really made a difference!

Hi Sel,
Thanks for that... I will give the medibac another week or so... these things do take time to work!! I agree that Dianeete does work very well, but being in long term relationship, kids are defo NOT out of the questions.. and Im not getting any younger so maybe an antibio/med might be the asnwer... hmmmm.. Roacu defo not an option for me., two brothers were on it for years and nasty side effects!! scary stuff!:(

Wish me luck!!!!!

Pythia

There are other pills you can use which give similar effects to Dianette, although aren't as strong. Yasmin is one.

idunnoutellme

ah my favourite topic - acne *rolls eyes*
I am a long time sufferer but have started dianette and have been taking it for 5 months and my skin is clear with exception of maybe 2-3 spots - it really is a miracle - i was at a point like yourself where i couldnt look in the mirror because i didnt see one smooth part of my face
I tried blue light therapy at christmas - i read about it somewhere that it is the only cure (apparently) but i was supposed to do a course of 8 sessions and i only did 3 because they were costing 50 euro a pop and that was with a discount (usually 80 eur a session). that was a special offer for the month of january or something and i offered to pay for the 8 sessions in one go if they would give me the price of 50 per session but they refused saying no offer ends in feb and so i never went back - probably good thing too because i doubt it would have made a big difference - only to my pocket maybe.
there is a great site i came across i think it is www.acne.org and there is a discussion board there where every possible solution to acne is tried and tested and discussed and rated by its effectiveness.
I know myself my acne is hormonal because i have only ever had clear skin after taking antibiotics when i was in school, also i was using zenirit (i think thats what it is called) your gp prescribes it it is a topical antibiotic and altho you only notice a difference around 3 months later it is very good.
and now i am on dianette and i think it is great for my skin - the only thing is it is makin me want to eat more - hence weight gain :S and i do get very emotional and moody :P
i dont think the medi wash from dermalogica is going to clear up your acne, but it is good to have facials or to use such products along side medication as they will help to heal and clear acne scarring and further inflamation of acne.
try using panoxyl 10 - you can get it in boots behind counter usually - you apply it directly to the spot and it gets red in the next day or two and then dries up - its really good.
also tea tree stuff is supposed to be helpful - never helped me now but everyone is different

McCABE1

Hey
My sister suffers with her skin and has spoken to professionals about it and as far as I know these things do not work within a couple of weeks. You're going to have to give it at least a few months. New products take time. I dont think two weeks after using dermalogica that your skin is going to be perfect however I think if you stick with it then maybe after two months you'll notice the difference. I've wanted to change to dermalogica too as I've heard good things about it and like most people suffer the odd breakout. The medibac range has salicyllic acid in it which I think is really the best thing you could be using topically for your skin. If you keep changing products so often you wont give any of them time to work. I say stick with it and see how it goes and perhaps get a course of dermalogica facials too to help it on. Keep us posted anyway on your progress, I'd love to find out how the dermalogica was going and if it was really any good. Best of luck!

Naomibsc1

Hello, I have been on acne treatment for about two years now, first through my gp and then I was refered to a consultant. The fist thing the consultant told me was that while the dermalogica stuff was quite good lots of cheaper products were just as useful. She told me to use netrogena visably clear two in one and as a moisturiser to use the loreal deep control and to only use this on dry areas. Make up is fine as long as it is oil free. I am using all of this in conjunction with different drugs, however they may be of some help. [SNIP] I am currebtly on the drug roaccutane... i think this is the last thing i can try and my skin is perfect at the moment.. However i will have to wait and see how it is when i come off it.

chuci

i think thee medibac treatment is very good,used it for 4 months with very good improvement. iv stayed off it for about 3 months now with no major breakouts.though i do apply the overnight clearing gel whenever i feel like there might be a spot on the verge of appearing, though i dont know how bad my skin was in comparison to you maybe you do need some hormone or some steroid working from the inside out. hope this helps chick.

Toto Wolfcastle

Naomibsc1 wrote: »

Hello, I have been on acne treatment for about two years now, first through my gp and then I was refered to a consultant. The fist thing the consultant told me was that while the dermalogica stuff was quite good lots of cheaper products were just as useful. She told me to use netrogena visably clear two in one and as a moisturiser to use the loreal deep control and to only use this on dry areas. Make up is fine as long as it is oil free. I am using all of this in conjunction with different drugs, however they may be of some help. [SNIP] I am currebtly on the drug roaccutane... i think this is the last thing i can try and my skin is perfect at the moment.. However i will have to wait and see how it is when i come off it.

Please don't advise people to buy prescription products without a prescription over the internet. Thank you.

Corb

I too went on Dianette and it helped me so much. Cleared my skin right up, I'll always have some acne scars but that's better than massive outbreaks like I used to get.

However I had been on it for four years and have recently got a new doctor who went crazy when she heard how long I was on it. She said you should only be on Dianette for 2 years maximum because of the high dosage and said it's extremely dangerous to be on it for any longer than that. She scared the crap out of me as I'd been on it for double that length of time!!

Anyway she prescribed me Yasmin on Monday so I'm sitting here praying my acne doesn't come back now that I'm off Dianette, I wish I could stay on it forever but hopefully Yasmin will suit me too, it's not as strong but I haven't been without Dianette for four years so maybe by now my skin won't be as bad as it used to be. Just a warning for those of you on Dianette don't stay on it for more than 2 years.

SW81

senelra wrote: »

Hi there
I've been on Dianette for my skin for 5 years now. It was terrible before I went on it and even after things settled down, I was still prone to breakouts. I started using dermalogica products and I do think they helped. They didn't aggravate my acne. Last summer I had a really bad breakout along my jawline and on my chin. I bought the medibac sebum clearing masque and that did help clear things, but my skin was never very good.

Eventually I got fed up and realised that I'm 26 and have been dealing with having s**t skin for about 10 years! Disaster. SO I went to my GP, got a referral to a dermatologist and after 4.5 months on Roaccutane, my skin is now perfect. I am still on dianette, and have no plans to come off it. My dermatologist advised me to stay on it as opposed to switching to another brand of pill.

So while I do think Dermalogica products are good for acne-prone skin, they are not miracle-working. I haven't used the Medibac range for any length of time really, so maybe someone else would give you better advice about it. But I do think the only long-term solution is some sort of prescribed antibiotics/medication. Now I'm not saying Roaccutane is for everyone, and there are side effects involved with it, but if you speak to your GP, this could be an option for you. I just got so tired of always being aware of my skin, and this has really made a difference!

You do realise you shouldn't be on Dianette for more than 2 years?! Dermatologists may know about skin but do they know the very dangerous risks with what Dianette does to your body if you stay on it too long?

Pythia

Corb wrote: »

Anyway she prescribed me Yasmin on Monday so I'm sitting here praying my acne doesn't come back now that I'm off Dianette, I wish I could stay on it forever but hopefully Yasmin will suit me too, it's not as strong but I haven't been without Dianette for four years so maybe by now my skin won't be as bad as it used to be. Just a warning for those of you on Dianette don't stay on it for more than 2 years.

I've been on it about 5 years and my GP has no problem with it, I've mentioned the time frame to her. I did move to Yasmin for 6 months in the middle but it made my skin much worse so I moved back. I fear being taken off it in case my skin flares up again!

taram

Pythia wrote: »

I've been on it about 5 years and my GP has no problem with it, I've mentioned the time frame to her. I did move to Yasmin for 6 months in the middle but it made my skin much worse so I moved back. I fear being taken off it in case my skin flares up again!

Exact same with me. I was told by my endocrinologist to invest shares in it since I'll probably not come off it until I want to get pregnant. It's the least bad of the meds I'm on anyway

biddywiddy

Same with me. I mentioned it to my dermatologist at my last visit a couple of weeks ago and she said that as long as I'm not suffering any side effects or don't have any specific need to come off dianette, than I should just stay on it. She said that Yasmin is a lower dose pill alright, but that moving me to it could cause a breakout, so best to jsut stay on dianette for now.

fits

I could have written the OP. I'm determined to stay off hormonal contraception this time. I've been on dianette or yasmin for most of the last ten years and I really want to let my body do what it should be doing now.

I came off dianette with perfectly clear skin in January. Now it has flared up again on jawline, chin, chest and back. I'm going to try address this through diet and herbal supplements. Agnus Castus seems to help. I'm going to try other supplements now from that 'the secret acne cure' link.

Its sucks though. I'm 29! You'd think de horrormoans would have calmed down a bit by now.

LNC

I would recommend cutting out all dairy products from your diet and see if this works, switch to soya milk etc. For me personally it has made a huge difference.

Corb

Fair enough girls if you want to stay on Dianette and I understand why, I wish I could but apart from my own doctor's advice I've heard from too many friends whose doctors told them staying on it long term will be bad for your health in the long run regardless of side affects right now. I don't think it's worth the risk of what could happen down the line.

petek

i got some bad hormonal acne last time i went off the pill (not dianette, i had no history of acne as a teenager, just the one or two big ones every once in a while). i mentioned it to my GP and she prescribed a topical antibiotic, i think called dalacin. u just apply it to the affected areas. she said she didnt like to prescribe oral antibiotics for acne unless it was bad on someones back, because this was effective without some of the side effects of an oral dose.

it worked for me, but then i skin calmed down naturally after about 4 months after i'd stopped the pill, so i probably have quite different skin to yours. but maybe talk to your doctor about it in case its an option. i still apply it sometimes if i see a spot or two coming on (i'm back on the pill now, it seems like it gives me breakouts rather than cures them) and it almost always seems to stop them in their tracks.

taram

Corb wrote: »

Fair enough girls if you want to stay on Dianette and I understand why, I wish I could but apart from my own doctor's advice I've heard from too many friends whose doctors told them staying on it long term will be bad for your health in the long run regardless of side affects right now. I don't think it's worth the risk of what could happen down the line.

I know in the US the clinical guidelines say should only be given to women who need contraception that have severe acne that isn't responding to antibiotics, the main word being 'severe' there, a friend with a few spots was put on it without exploring other options, she's been on it at least 3 years, that sort of use should be stopped to any long-term effects that could otherwise be prevented.

rachblue

I was on Dianette for about 4 years before I took my self off it. I was off it bout two years and my skin was as bad as ever. It never improved itself so I went back on it a about two or three years ago. My doctor never really said anything serious to me about being on it for so long. You could try changing your diet to see if that improves things from the inside. Some foods such as sugar yeast and processed foods are said to aggravate it. You could speak to a dietitian about it

all_smilz

I was on Duac for a year and found it slow to work but effective but i really only had mild acne and my main problem was squeezing spots *hangs head in shame*
Its a prescribed medication and needs to be kept in the fridge- just an option to consider...
good luck!