Posts by vividowl17

Look, Dalacin T isn't bad, but man, it really dries you out...

I’ve been dealing with acne issues for what feels like forever. I was on oral medication for a while and things were looking great—really fantastic, actually—but then, after a bit of time, everything just started spiraling again...

For the last two weeks, my skin has basically been under siege by breakouts, and honestly? I’m losing my mind here.

Right now, I’m using a benzoyl peroxide gel alongside some Dalacin, which has left my face feeling completely parched—though, to be fair, the breakouts cleared up in just a few days... It’s just that my skin is incredibly sensitive, so it takes a while to find its balance again. If this doesn't hold, I might just head back to my dermatologist to ask about Geomycin. This really isn't an easy battle to fight, especially when you break out at the worst possible moment (I have my five-year high school reunion coming up soon...)
But if you want my take: a gentle cleanser + plenty of benzoyl peroxide + serious hydration = clear skin.

If that route doesn't work for you, there are also oral medications you can use for a limited time to get some peace and quiet. Accutane is the big one, though it will dry you out more than you probably want... Try the topical stuff first; if that fails, then maybe consider the pills...

I’ll keep this brief. From a dermatologist's perspective, the only real move they can make is prescribing pills to get your hormones under control. But here is the catch—once you stop taking those tablets, the acne eventually makes its comeback.

All those pricey creams and gels? You can just pick those up yourself at any drugstore. Some are actually decent, especially anything containing at least 2.5% benzoyl peroxide... though in our neck of the woods, there isn't much variety to choose from. Similarly, various topical solutions like erythromycin or clindamycin are really just there to soothe the symptoms.
In short, topical treatments only manage the condition; if you want total peace, you need the oral medication—side effects and all.

The true root cause of acne isn't your diet or your stress levels—it's hormonal imbalance, something even the best doctors haven't quite mastered how to fix. If you want a quick fix, take the pills. A long-term solution might involve having sex like rabbits...😬 But honestly, most of those expensive creams and gels are a waste of money... There are a few exceptions, of course, but skin chemistry is different for everyone anyway.

kozz said:By the way, this marks the third time I've seen a shot of Jennifer Connelly standing on a pier...

True—and it's the second one where she ends up tangled in bed sheets following Requiem for a Dream. Personally, I consider her one of the most stunning actresses out there, and I have to say, the sheer caliber of the acting from the entire lead cast was a pleasant surprise...👍