Day 24 Update

I still have my original breakout, but it's slowly healing. I've gone for extractions and they help a lot. My face is still peeling.

To be completely honest, the healing process is taking a lot longer than I thought (or wanted), but if this all works out in the end it'll be worth it.

I still have lots of active spots, but they have shunk in size. Redness also is going down, but since restarting Retin-A my face has gotten a little more red and oily. My doctor says everything is looking good and she's happy to see everything beginning to clump together and then heal. I look ridiculous with broken out cheeks and a clear forehead, chin and eye area

Day 16 Update

My face is still broken out, but it's not breaking out. Everything is slooooowly healing. I'm going in for an extraction next week again before school starts, so hopefully it'll be better.

I'll post more pictures once I get the extraction.

Day 9 Update

Over the past couple of days my face has continued to push up stuff, forming bigger breakouts. I've gotten new pimples almost everyday and am broken out everywhere; cheeks, chin and forehead. Unfortunatley this is just part of the process and it amazes me how much gunk I had hidden under my skin.

I think the breakouts have finally ceased some, for now. Now that my face has healed from my PDT I can begin using Retin-A again, which will pull more stuff up.

My doctor wants me on Retin-A for three weeks and then to come in for an extraction. After I heal from that they'll see if they think I need anther round.

Day 5 Update

I need to space my updates apart so that I can actually show progress.

My face broke out TERRIBLY on the fourth day and now it's finally settling down some late in the fifth day. The break out is expected though, and really it is necessary for treatment and healing. The PDT forces everything up and out essentially.

The third day also welcomed PEELING! It wasn't as bad as I expected honestly, but it was annoying.

Now that my face is beginning to clear, it's hard to explain, but my face does look BETTER. It seems to have a different, cleaner tone to it. I'm going in for an extraction in the next couple days and then once that heals I can begin a regimen that I need to do religiously.

Here is my regimen.

Morning -
Charcoal Cleanser from VisageMedArt
Moisturizer

Afternoon-
Steaming of the face for (3-7 minutes)
Charcoal Cleanser from VisageMedArt
Retin-A Mud

Day 5


Day 3

Day 2 Update

Sorry this is a day late, but the pictures are still from Day 2.

My face was very itchy, slightly swollen around my mouth, but a lot less red.

I Hate to Count My Chickens Before They Hatch But,...

This procedure has given me a lot of hope. My face is swollen and red currently, but I honestly think I see a difference. I was told that a breakout would occur after my treatment and I see some active papules, but they aren't the cystic kind. I see a huge improvement on the right side of my face though, HUGE. All I can really see are the places where my extractions were, which by the way are the dark spots in my pictures.

My face is also itching like CRAZY, which I was told could happen, but later on. Itching is a sign of healing, so I'm healing quickly! I figured I would since after a terrible sunburn it only lingers for a day or two.

I washed my face for the first time and covered it in an incredible moisturizer that my doctor gave me and my face looks great. I honestly feel like it hasn't looked this good in years. I can't wait for it to progress.

I also want to note how incredibly amazing my doctors at Visage Med Art truly are. I've never had anyone actually explain so much to me. They've helped me understand ever step of the process and how to continue healing. They have their own line of cleansers, moisturizers and Retin-A products. They can even prescribe and give out Lortabs and anti-inflammatories. They research so much and really have a heart for their work. I thank God that I have found them.

I'm getting really excited. I'll update more as time goes on, as well as explain my new routine for face care. My doctor says that is one of the most important steps.

Pain Level For Overall Procedure (including recovery so far) - 3- uncomfortable.

Red, Swollen, and Totally In Love With Lortabs

I went in today to have the Leluvan activated and it was not what I expected at all. As soon as I took my scarf off in front of the doctor's office, in the bright noon sun, I could feel it tingle. They scooted me into a dark room and talked about what was happening and how to take care of it after the light exposure.

I was sat in front of a blue light, and right away I could feel the reaction. I was immediately at a 3 on the pain scale and my doctor told me to tell her when I was at a 7. Being a hard head, I tried my hardest to toughen it out, but soon I couldn't take it anymore. It felt like sitting in front of a bonfire, but without the ability to step back and refresh. Sadly, mostly to my pride, I lasted a good minute in a half to two minutes. The ride home was miserable sitting in the front seat of my mom's car. If I wore the scarf, my hot breathe burned my skin, but without the scarf my face seared. I finally resorted to popping a Lortab, pulling my hat down low, and leaning forward into the air conditioner.

As soon as I got home I ran straight to my dark room and Mom brought in some cold compresses, which weren't much help so I sat in front of my huge fan until my Lortabs kicked in. When they did I finally found relief! And I was pretty excited about that.

I'm a total outside person and the thought of sitting in a dark room watching tv all afternoon is not only the most boring thing I could possibly do, but it's almost depressing. I went outside for a second to piddle in the family garden, but I had to come inside until nightfall. The pain isn't unbearable, but my face is swollen and itchy and so red. I was sent home with steroids to help with swelling but am holding off until the morning.

I hope it's worth it in the end and I really, truly believe that this will give me the greatest chance at clear skin. "With the face the size of a small car," as my mother previously stated, it better :)