Acne questions-specifically on Clindamycin and RetinA
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free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:40 am

Finally, my GP refered me to a derm Rolling Eyes

I was asking to go on Retin-A but after checking that Retin-A is a very strong retinoid, he said that GP's dont usually prescribed these as there are serious side effects. He told me the usual- sun damage, peeling, redness and due to these issues and the fact that he's never prescribed Retin-A before, he decided that refering me to see a skin care specialist was the best thing.

However....I have already started using Retin-A 0.025% that I bought from ADC, as I wanted a head start on it. Only on it for a few days, and my skin is very bumpy and old acne marks and surfacing to actual pimples. But as well as Retin-A, I'm using Cellcosmet Juvenil, which I was told can lead to purging.

Due to the long waiting list to see a derm (he told me I would have to wait for MONTHS Shock

), he prescribed another topical antibiotic for me to use called Clindamycin.

I dont want to quit using Retin-A now, but I'm unsure how I can use it with the Clindamycin and whether it's safe to do so Question

. I didnt want to ask my GP, as he thinks that I read too much on the Internet and he's totally against purchasing medicine online.

Can anyone shed some light on how to use both Clindamycin and Retin-A, or would it cause more harm than good?

Thanks very much Smile

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:47 am

Have you thought about an oral antibiotic? For me Clindamycin never worked and gave me strange side effects. The oral meds will clear you up fast (just be sure to replenish yourself with a PRO-biotic), I wouldn't use them as a long term treatment but they are very helpful for getting a handle on acne.

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:28 am

Hi v

I did go on tetralysal/limacycline (sp?) some time ago, but my acne did not improve or worsen, it was just the same. And I dont really want to take any oral antibiotics...its like, I only take any oral meds when I'm ill and having acne doesnt seem like an illness so I dont want to take them...that sounds weird, but just a thing that I cant explain Embarassed

What side effects did you experience from Clindamycin?

After doing mor reading just then, I'm thinking of spot treating with Clindamycin in the morning, then using Retin-A all over at night...does that seem ok?

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:50 am

Hi There

My derm gave me both a retin A product and Clindamycin in the brand called Benzaclin. What he had (I state had, and I will tell you why after this) was apply the Retin A in the evening after I cleanse my face and then the Benzaclin in the morning after I cleanse before my makeup. My problem starting out being, that the Retin A was very greasy, and although I applied it at night when I went to bed, I was less concerned, but the my skin appeared more oily during the day as well. I had peelies, and dry skin and of course I could not wax...which was hell...not much purging but I did continue to have breakouts, so I thought I would stick to it, it has to work. After a year and 1/2 of that same nonsense, I stopped using the retin A. I still use the Benzaclin, morning and night now and stay away from the Retin A. I saw NOTHING in the improvement factor for me. I wish my derm would give me something oral (not birth control though) that makes me have huge huge underground pimples everywhere. Good Luck

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:43 pm

bergquis - I've been using Benzaclin daily for the last few weeks and I haven't really seen an improvement either. Confused

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:48 pm

Yes, I think that the benzaclin only helps a small amount, but I am afraid to stop it, as I remember my skin before I started using it. I do think my skin has become immune to it though, to a certain degree. One of my girlfriends, told me to use differin, that she has been using it for years (and she does have gorgeous skin) but I tell you what, I have gone to every derm that my insurance covers and when I ask about products that I know people have used and have been successful with, my derm just says, "oh I don't use that stuff", here is something that is better for your skin". I am doomed and sure that I will spend the rest of my life fighting acne and blemishes, still at 39.

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:00 pm

Clindamycin worked great for my acne, but after a week it caused diarrhea and other digestive problems, as well as yeast infections. I went off of it a week later, as soon as I realized that it was the cause of the problems. (I didn't immediately associate it because it is applied topically, and at that time I didn't realize that our skin is a big sponge and what we put on our body goes in our body!) I felt that it was really impacting me systemically. Even after I quit using it, the side effects persisted and my digestive system was a mess for a couple of months.

yeahyeah wrote:

...
What side effects did you experience from Clindamycin?

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:04 pm

I know products are absorbed in through the skin, I am lucky that I have had not known side effects from using Benzaclin, and I have been on it for almost 2 1/2 years now. But does anyone think that anything would work better? I do use the Persa Gel acne medicine for touch up on my blemishes and it works wonders, but I can not apply that to my entire face, it is drying. Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:53 pm

Didnt know there were such side effects...wonder if I should use it now...I have an important presentation in 3 weeks and I'd hate for my skin to breakout Crying or Very sad

Jeannine---have you tried other topical antibiotics?

bergquis---What's working for you right now?

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:26 pm

I'm using a product called Clindoxyl which is a combination of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.

I only use it as a spot treatment when I feel something coming up, and it does a pretty good job of zapping it by the next morning...it doesn't dry my skin out too much, but I'm trying to limit my use of it...I find that it makes me well, greasier, rather than oilier if that makes sense :S

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:20 pm

yeahyeh, I am using the benzaclin still in the morning and in the evening. I use my spot treatment persagel 10 by clean and clear for blemishes. But my "new" derm that I just saw on Monday (due to a horrible skin rash on my forehead-see post called awful skin/rash), he now has me using a cleanser/lotion in one called DCL. I bought it from him, but there is a website that I was able to google, I was using cetaphil cleanser, but this new derm told me that cetaphil puts certain oils that can not be determined to be the same ingredients in each batch. He also requested that I stop using the mineral makeup that I was using (TRUE) and asked me to try glominerals. Of course he sells them too, so maybe the reason for the push. But he states that the glominerals are a true mineral makeup, so I thought what the heck. I got a sample and the actual product is cheaper than what I am using. So at this point, yeahyeah, I am going to continue the benzaclin and go with the other stuff and see what happens....

free skin care · Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:33 pm

Both of my teens do the following on the advice of a dermatologist:

AM:
BP cleanser
Benzaclin + oil free sunscreen

PM:
BP cleanser
Retin-A

My son takes tetracycline 2X/day. My daughter takes another antibiotic 1X/day (can't remember the name).

My son's acne is much worse, but if he is diligent (especially with the oral antibiotic) he breaks out less. My daughter stays pretty clear with this regimen. If either one of them has breakouts, they use a clay + sulfur on those areas at night. I also have them do manuka honey masks at least once a week.

Betsy

free skin care · Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:54 pm

bergquis wrote:

I was using cetaphil cleanser, but this new derm told me that cetaphil puts certain oils that can not be determined to be the same ingredients in each batch.

Hmm...I've jsut started usign Cetaphil which is very gentle and with my microfibre cloth, I find that it removes my MMU quite well.
I dont really understand what your derm said about the oils in the Cetaphil though Embarassed

. So there's oils in the cleanser but in every batch, there's different types of oils??? What oils is he refering to anyway?

Thanks!

free skin care · Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:47 pm

What my derm said about Cetaphil made a lot of sense to me (even know I have been using it for quite a while and I am happy with it), here is what he said. He told me that products like Cetaphil contain various oils(at least the one I use for oily skin) here are the ingredients for "Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser"

Ingredients: purified water, PEG-200 hydrogenated glyceryl palmate (and) PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, acrylates/steareth-20 methacrylate copolymer, glycerin, sodium laureth sulfate, butylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, masking fragrance, panthenol, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, disodium EDTA, methylparaben

Now I don't know all the details on each of these products, just what he explained to me and that was with cheaper products that contain some of these products, he said that the companies use various "companies" to buy these products from, which may not be the same companies all the time. Whomever is cheaper is what they may go with to make that batch you are buying. He said that it is not consistant and you don't know what you are getting exactly in your product. Which I am sure is the case for many many products, but I thought about certain brand name products that may buy their ingredients from the same companies over and over and not looking for a bargin, maybe why Cetaphil is so cheap, compared to others. Now of course I am no expert, I just thought what he said sort of made sense. And the fact that I retraced my steps on when I got a very bad rash that I am still dealing with on my face and I had just bought a new "jug" of Cetaphil from Costco.??? Thoughts?

free skin care · Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:08 pm

Ohhh...I think I know what you mean now! Even though the ingredients are exactly the same, where they're sourced are different...
I thought Cetaphil's so cheap cos its ingredients are really simple and doesnt contain complicated ingredients that can cost an arm and leg Confused

Have you tried the Gentle cleanser from Cetaphil (its named differently in the UK: Non-Irritating cleanser I think)? That has less ingredients and is very very gentle, I got some in my eye the other day and it didnt sting one bit and I had no probs using that when I was recovering from the terrible rash I had all over my face from a few weeks ago. Although I'm breaking out right now, I doubt its the cleanser as I've started using Retin-A and Cellcosmet Juvenil.

free skin care · Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:19 pm

I have not used the "gentle" yet, only because the four other dermatologists I have been to said I don't have sensitive skin, however my new derm (who so far I love) said I do, after performing many "prick" tests on various parts of my body. Who would have thought? Shock

I am using a cleanser/lotion that he recommended for sensitive skin called DCL (Dermologic, Costmetic, Labortories. Not to be confused with " Dermalogica". I did find a website and did some research on the ingredients, but it all gets so confusing. I know I have been using it since Monday (I know it is early still) and so far, my skin does not have dry patches and no breakouts Pray

(except this awful rash on my forehead that is really driving me nuts- not caused from this product though)so I will let you know, it is still early. But I suppose if this does not work, I will try the Cetaphil. I definately do not think your breakouts are from this cleanser, it is really mild, I am sure it is the other two products you are now using. Let me know your findings though, I will be curious. Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:42 pm

Just googled DCL and it seems like a very pro skincare line. Never heard of it before but they do have a wide range of products containing AHA.

I think I will use this thread as a diary to record how my skin changes from using Cellcosmet, Retin-A and Clindamycin to spot treat! I just need to go collect the Clindamycin from the chemist! But I am worried about the side effects though, as I just went on the acne.org board and read that some people do experience diarrhea and stomach problems Confused

Thanks for all your help!

free skin care · Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:18 pm

Update on my regime:

I've been using Retin-A 0.025% since Thursday 13th and been using the Clindamycin (I got a lotion called Dalacin T) to spot treat since Thursday 20th.

Its still early days for the Clindamycin but as for the Retin-0A and Cellcosmet- I was totally expecting some purging but didnt expect it to be this bad Crying or Very sad

. My skin isnt that red and peeling but it is slightly flakey on my nose, upper lip and mouth area. I'm guessing I'm not peeling cos the Cellcosmet moisturiser and microfibre cloth are doing a good job! My left cheek is more sensitive so its redder, hurts slightly, itches a bit (which I think the clindamycin is to blame cos since using it, that area is itchy. I might have to quit using this) and I have about 20 pimples there Crying or Very sad

. I have tiny little red spots everywhere on my face as well but two cystic ones on my cheek and upper lip (its very sore and makes the surrounding area red too).

Will update in another weeks time

free skin care · Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:55 am

Update: 3 weeks into Retin-A

Week 2 was terrible for me, as the breakouts never stopped and the breakouts never stopped. My skin was peeling, just on the U-zone especially around my mouth area, and my lips were super dry. My skin was really sore to touch on my cheeks and applying moisturiser was slightly painful, but this was only happening at night cos in the morning, it was fine.

I've quit using Clindamycin, as I think it irritated my skin cos the area which I applied the lotion to is really itchy.
And cos the breakouts were too much for me to handle, I HAD to use another acne gel to spot treat hoping it will make my acne heal quicker. I used my HG Jan Marini Ance gell II to spot treat at night just before I go to bed.

Week 3: there's only 2 patches of flaky skin, and my breakouts are healing up though there's a lot of red marks left on my forehead and cheeks. Somehow those ones on my chin has healed up, there's just a few brown-ish marks which isnt visible unless you come straight up to my face. The 3 cystic acnes I had on the side of my face has turned black and scabby, but they dont hurt anymore. Even though, the previous breakouts are healing, I've got "new" pimples on my forehead and cheeks. These are smaller and not as painful as the ones in Week 1 and 2.
My face kinda looks like its plumped out or firm...dont know whether its the RA or the Cellcosmet though Confused

. Though the Cellcosmet moisturiser is slightly oily and I need to blot my face (T-zone) everyday.
I may go up to a higher strength RA cos my skin isnt flaking as bad as others have said so maybe its not strong enough for me Question

I cant be so sure, but maybe once I finish this tube, I will order another 0.025% and 0.05% to alternate.
I'm still using JM acne gel to spot treat but when I was cleaning out my room, I discovered my Murad acne spot treatment and as there's only a tiny bit left, I used that instead of JM at nights. Its not as effective and strong as JM, but it does seem to make my pimples smaller when I wake up in the morning.

Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:11 pm

Oh Boy! Have I been there
My Dermatologist, gave me a mixture which included Clindamycin,and about 6 other ingredients, which mitigated the side effects of the clindamycin, and the dryness of the retin A, it worked like magic for both my mild rocacea, and for painful cystic acne.
He was about 100 years old, my dermatologist, and he said,
"You get dees exacccly as I haff eet heeer, you tell dem I say dees" I had to,everyone else wanted to leave out one ingredient or exchange one for another, and when they did, it just didn't work..
I don't know why, it wasn't like he was prescribing mercury, it was just a mixture of many perfectly common ingredients.

Other Dr's would just say "I'll give you Benzaclyn" which I found okay for the occasional huge zit but it was way too harsh on my skin.

If you'd like the ingredients just let me know.

It can be helpful because it generally takes RetinA a few weeks to work and the Clindamycin can give more immediate help.
BTW I have very sensitive skin and this combination made it feel strong and healthy for the first time.

free skin care · Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:27 pm

Hi Tantrum!
Do tell us all what the 6 magic ingredients are please Very Happy

Thanks

free skin care · Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:49 pm

UPDATE WEEK 6

Good and bad news I guess...I got a derm appt...but that's in mid-August Mad

Well about the RA 0.025%- nearly 6 weeks into using it and have to say that I dont have anymore NEW breakouts but old red acne marks have flared up slightly though that could be due to my junk food diet Rolling Eyes

. But I still have breakouts during that TOTM.

The blackheads on my nose is less obvious and the red marks on my t-zone and side of my cheeks have faded slightly so now they're a dark-ish pink colour.

My skin is definately a lot smoother and any small fine lines that I did have is not visible now.

I dont know if I'm getting used to it as I can use the RA at night without using any moisturiser afterwards. My skin doesnt feel taut and dry anymore and I've no flakies or redness. So I've ordered a tube of 0.05% from ADC to use probably 3 times a week just to see if that's any better.

free skin care · Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:11 pm

yeahyeah wrote:

Finally, my GP refered me to a derm Rolling Eyes

I was asking to go on Retin-A but after checking that Retin-A is a very strong retinoid, he said that GP's dont usually prescribed these as there are serious side effects. He told me the usual- sun damage, peeling, redness and due to these issues and the fact that he's never prescribed Retin-A before, he decided that refering me to see a skin care specialist was the best thing.

However....I have already started using Retin-A 0.025% that I bought from ADC, as I wanted a head start on it. Only on it for a few days, and my skin is very bumpy and old acne marks and surfacing to actual pimples. But as well as Retin-A, I'm using Cellcosmet Juvenil, which I was told can lead to purging.

Due to the long waiting list to see a derm (he told me I would have to wait for MONTHS Shock

), he prescribed another topical antibiotic for me to use called Clindamycin.

I dont want to quit using Retin-A now, but I'm unsure how I can use it with the Clindamycin and whether it's safe to do so Question

. I didnt want to ask my GP, as he thinks that I read too much on the Internet and he's totally against purchasing medicine online.

Can anyone shed some light on how to use both Clindamycin and Retin-A, or would it cause more harm than good?

Thanks very much Smile

At one point, I got Clindamycin and it didn't work for me. I found it too be too strong and when I got this prescription, it was in the winter so maybe that was part of the problem.
I also switched dermo's.

Fri May 02, 2008 8:35 pm

I have been going to a derm for about a year now and my acne has gotten worse. I look like I am going on 15 not 30!!! She has me on birth control, Spranolactone(sp?) which is for congestive heart failure but she is using it to treat acne and I use both Clyndimiacin and Retinol. I also wash my face twice a day with Neutorgena's oil free acne wash and put the clyndimiacin on in the am and use the retinol at night. None of this has worked for me- just thought I would let you know you are not the only one suffering.

free skin care · Mon May 26, 2008 8:08 pm

Week 10

I'm using RA 0.025% still but I'm spot treating with 0.05%. My skin is very soft to touch but I've still got plenty of post-inflammatory acne marks on my cheeks and forehead, and cos I;m using the 0.05% my skin is sometime quite sore and I have to be very gentle when cleansing. My cheeks are constantly pink and flushed but it does lessen down after an hour or so from my regime.
I was expecting my skin to firm up but I really cant see that it has and I still breakout during my TOTM but not as bad as before using RA but it seems as though I have more cystic type of acne on my cheeks and forehead. Also, some pimples kinda flare up as well and then dies down then flares up again which is really weird Confused

Overall, it seems as though my acne has indeed improved but not to the state that I'm expecting it to so I will slowly work my way up to using 0.05%.

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