Purging period
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free skin care · Wed Jun 23, 2010 6:51 pm

Okay, so every time I try something new I ask myself the same questions:

How long does it take until you know it actually works? And *how* do you know that it works?

If you experience a so-called purging period how long does this typically last? If your skin clears up right away and you do not experience break outs does that mean it's not really fighting the root of the problem or does it mean it's perfect for your skin?

Just wondering what you guys' experiences are?
Smile

free skin care · Wed Jun 23, 2010 7:01 pm

I really do think that depends on what specifically you are referring to, OCM, Retin A can cause breakouts initially for some but not others. Retin A can cause redness and peeling for some yet others seem to start it without much reaction. Obagi is going to cause peeling and redness for most as I understand it. Just some examples. Other products either don't show results or you see improvement in some aspect of the skin. Plus the issue of different time frames for different individuals also plays into how long? Smile

free skin care · Wed Jun 23, 2010 7:58 pm

Oh my, Retin A was baaaad for me. I used it for 4 days with no problems at all, on the 5th day, though, I started getting this terrible rash. I looked like somebody had burnt my skin! Embarassed

i stopped using it and i took about a month for the mark to go away.

I guess I was wondering more about cleansers and moisturizers, really. Stuff for acne-prone skin and nothing too extreme. For example Eve Lom or Liz Earle (I started another topic about that), Dr Hauschka CC, Murad etc.

I'm just trying to find something to tame my skin and I seem to never know what to expect.

free skin care · Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:18 am

I can't say that I have a lot of experience with purging after trying new products (store bought), but I can tell you that after joining this forum I tried the OCM and that definitely caused me to go through a purging period. For the first few days my skin was noticeably nicer, but then I started breaking out like I haven't done in years/decades. I went back to my old cleanser and my skin slowly cleared up. After two months of experimenting with it, I've come to the conclusion that using my regular cleanser most of the time and using the OCM 3 times a week or so does wonders for my skin. The purge was rough, especially since I had never experienced one before, but I do think I've definitely learned from it.

I'm still searching for my "perfect" skin care regimen, but after finding these forums I know I'm on the right track.

Have you taken a look at the DIY board? I got a few good "recipes" there for acne treatments (aspirin and yogurt masks, Yonka pure emulsion are a few that have really made a difference for me).

free skin care · Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:33 am

A product can still be effective without major purging. When I started tazorac I never had any major purging but it was extremely effective for me.

free skin care · Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:05 am

Yeah, girliegirl, that's what I'm hoping for. I don't want to be breaking out for weeks before I know if something works or not. Then, if it doesn't work, you're broken out more than you were before you started using the stuff in the first place - and you still need to find something else. Confused

laellis, yeah, my friend tried OCM and broke out like crazy. I am doing the aspirin mask, but I think it dries out my skin and it's not too effective. Yoghurt doesn't help too much, either.
My break outs are definitely hormonal, so maybe that's why nothing seems to work at the moment.

Still, it's always the one thing I wonder when I want to try out something new.

free skin care · Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:17 am

Penta - my breakouts are hormonal/cystic. Tazorac was the only topical that really made a difference for me. More recenlty I'm using Atralin, not sure which is more effective.

Its definitely worth a trip to the derm if you have tried several products and they have not worked.

free skin care · Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:22 pm

Thanks, girliegirl, I'll look it up. Usually my acne is very light, just lately it's been a little crazy. But I've had a very stressful time, moving to another country, about to get married, etc. I hope it's going to clear up fairly soon. Definitely worth looking into, though. Thanks!

Anyways..still wondering what everybody's routine is when you try out new products? Especially if you have acne-prone skin?
I wonder how long I should wait before dismissing something, or getting a new product? Does your skin have to settle down first before you switch?
There surely is some kind of general guideline?

free skin care · Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:30 pm

Thanks, girliegirl, I'll look it up. Usually my acne is very light, just lately it's been a little crazy. But I've had a very stressful time, moving to another country, about to get married, etc. I hope it's going to clear up fairly soon. Definitely worth looking into, though. Thanks!

Anyways..still wondering what everybody's routine is when you try out new products? Especially if you have acne-prone skin?
I wonder how long I should wait before dismissing something, or getting a new product? Does your skin have to settle down first before you switch?
There surely is some kind of general guideline?

free skin care · Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:32 pm

I have never had breakouts or purging at all, but just reading peoples experiences I don't think there is any hard fast rule about how long it takes to adjust to a product. The only obvious thing is an extreme adverse or allergic reaction then it's clear you would stop immediately. Smile

free skin care · Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:14 pm

Thanks DarkMoon! From what I've been reading today I think that if you break out at all, then it takes about 2 weeks for your skin to adjust to the product. Sometimes up to a month, even though that sounds like an awful long time to me. Rolling Eyes

I really hate how you can never tell if it's 'purging' or if it's just the wrong product. Sigh.

Please somebody tell me why EVERYTHING always has to depend on the individual Sad

Why can there never be a clear cut solution to anything? Sad

free skin care · Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:34 pm

Penta wrote:

Thanks DarkMoon! From what I've been reading today I think that if you break out at all, then it takes about 2 weeks for your skin to adjust to the product. Sometimes up to a month, even though that sounds like an awful long time to me. Rolling Eyes

I really hate how you can never tell if it's 'purging' or if it's just the wrong product. Sigh.

Please somebody tell me why EVERYTHING always has to depend on the individual Sad

Why can there never be a clear cut solution to anything? Sad

I know it would be a dream come true if everything worked beautifully for everyone! Sadly it's all so individual we just play the trial and error game! Wink

free skin care · Sat Jun 26, 2010 5:43 am

Penta wrote:

Please somebody tell me why EVERYTHING always has to depend on the individual Sad

Why can there never be a clear cut solution to anything? Sad

I was just saying something similar to this on another thread. Yes, it can be difficult to find what works and sometimes its expensive because end up trying so many products.

free skin care · Sat Jun 26, 2010 8:57 am

Ugh, I hate trial and error Mad

Thanks, though, guys. I have already spent so much money on just finding a cleanser that works. It's ridiculous. Oh well, fingers crossed. Never give up fighting the good fight, I suppose. Smile

Sun Jun 27, 2010 9:24 pm

I am going through a purging phase right now...I think. Actually I'm a little confused about it.

I started OCM about a month and a half ago. at first it didn't seem to do much but this past week I have developed about 7 cystic pimples on my chin. The chin is the spot that I always break out, but I've never had so many at once. In fact before OCM once I got one of these gigantic, under the skin, scarring zits, I'd use an a Neutrogena acne scrub on my chin a couple times a day and it would go away. I've never gone this long with so many before.

I'm not sure at this point if I should wait it out. I wonder if this is purging or some other kind of reaction.

free skin care · Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:01 am

Hm, I know. Isn't it confusing?
Can you go to your derm and get cortisol shots? Or ask him/her what's going on?
OCM seems to be almost 50% people who love it and 50% who have problems with it after a short while. If it didn't clear you up that much to begin with, maybe you should stop it?

Confused

So confusing. Sorry to hear about your break out, they suck Sad

free skin care · Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:53 am

FlipMacoy wrote:

I am going through a purging phase right now...I think. Actually I'm a little confused about it.

I started OCM about a month and a half ago. at first it didn't seem to do much but this past week I have developed about 7 cystic pimples on my chin. The chin is the spot that I always break out, but I've never had so many at once. In fact before OCM once I got one of these gigantic, under the skin, scarring zits, I'd use an a Neutrogena acne scrub on my chin a couple times a day and it would go away. I've never gone this long with so many before.

I'm not sure at this point if I should wait it out. I wonder if this is purging or some other kind of reaction.

I started using the OCM this spring and had a similar breakout period as well. Do you use OCM all the time? The reason I'm asking is because I find that if I only use OCM 3-4 times a week, my skin stays in much better condition. I keep testing this theory out and every time I use OCM exclusively for 4-5 days I break out with cystic acne. I'm done testing and am sticking with alternating days and my skin is loving it.

Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:56 am

I, too, have been using OCM about 5-6 weeks and really like it. However, I follow it up with Cetaphil and my Clarisonic to make sure I've gotten all the oil off and for exfoliation.

I think laellis' method of using OCM 3-4 times a week is a good idea and I'm going to try that, but I will still follow it with my C & C. I'm wanting to head off any possible purging problems.

Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:31 pm

Quote:

I started using the OCM this spring and had a similar breakout period as well. Do you use OCM all the time? The reason I'm asking is because I find that if I only use OCM 3-4 times a week, my skin stays in much better condition. I keep testing this theory out and every time I use OCM exclusively for 4-5 days I break out with cystic acne. I'm done testing and am sticking with alternating days and my skin is loving it.

Good idea! I might try using OCM less often. When I first started it I was doing it 2-3x a week, mainly because I'd forget the other days. It's only been recently since I became more diligent about doing it every day.

I am also going to start using a toner afterward to make sure I'm getting all the oil residue off.

free skin care · Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:31 pm

Penta wrote:

Ugh, I hate trial and error Mad

Thanks, though, guys. I have already spent so much money on just finding a cleanser that works. It's ridiculous. Oh well, fingers crossed. Never give up fighting the good fight, I suppose. Smile

I usually try and get a sample of whatever product.
Sometimes if you even contact the actual manufacturer they might have samples they can mail you.
I kind of figure if I can't get a sample of a product then they company probably does not want me buying their products.

I'd say at least 90% of the skincare I have s because I had tried samples and likes those items.

The only thngs I do not really sample are makeup shades unless it is foundation.

free skin care · Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:22 am

I love the Cetaphil and Clarisonic combo! I think it is the absolute best!!! I find it helpful for light-medium makeup.

My purging periods last for up to two weeks. Boo to purging!

I find that purging periods are less if you get onto things sooner too. Makes sense Smile

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