retin a and inflamed acene

I am a 24 year old female with inflamed adult acene.  I had relatively clear skin as a teenager, but my skin has become very bad in the last 8 months.  All of a sudden, my face, chest, and neck broke out and hasn't went away.  My skin is developes large nots and white heads regulary and they are extremely painful and inflamed.  It has also become extremely oily.  It has always been a little oily but now it's to the point where I cannot wear make up.  I have been using retin a for 3 months and it seems my skin has stayed the same and there are times that my skin looks like it is clearing up then become sore and inflamed.  I was my face with an antibacteral benzoil preoxide wash with a toner and lotion during the day and the retin a at night.  My skin stays the same during my cycle with no real change.  During the rest of the month my skin breaks out speraticlly.  I understand that retin a is supposed to make your skin break out and sometimes gets very bad.  However, I cannot handle the inflamation (inflammation) it feels hot and burns all the time.  Do you have any suggestions on claming my skin to get through the treatment with the retin a.

[Salyna]

You have been on the Retin-A long enough for your skin to have adjusted and stabalized.  It is true, that it gets worse before it gets better, but I think you should be on the up-and-up by now.  Has your doctor also prescribed you an antibiotic?  I suffer from the same kind of acne, but I'm 29 right now and have had this problem since I was 13.  When I was on Retin-A, I used it every other night and on the off days, use a prescribed Benzoil cream.  The Retin-A was so harsh on my skin, so that's why my doctor did the every other day regimen.  Make sure you are moisturing in the morning, as well with a non-comdegenic moisturizer (I love Cetaphil).  Because absolutely nothing has worked for me, even the blue laser lights, I am now FINALLY a candidate for Accutane.  I think if the Retin-A isn't helping by now, it's time to try something different.  I would imagine you are seeing a dermotologist or a family doctor for follow up - what do they think about this?

[loiloi]

There are a wide range of topical and oral preparations for acne. If your current lotion is not suiting you ask for another one such as Dalacin-T, Duac gel or Differin. Whilst using drying-preparations use a mild facial wash such as Lutsine Hydrafnia, designed for acne-prone skin which has become irritated. Oral anti-biotics such as Lymecycline or erythromycin can be useful for acne. Have you tried an anti-androgen contraceptive pill such as Diane35 or Yasmin? If you still have severe acne after trying these things you could be a candidate for oral retinoids. Loiloi x

[ladyb02]

Thanks for the advise.  I am waiting I am waiting for an appointment with a dermatologist.  My family doctor perscribed this to me unitl I got was refered to a dermatologist.  He didn't even perscribe me a face was or antibiotics.  I won't be going back to him again.  Unfortunately, I just changed over jobs and I won't have in insurance until March.  I have given up on the retin a and I am trying to find something to hold me over until my insurance kicks in.   I have also started to develop small bumps along the side of my face in addition to the large cyst like acne.  Almost all of the inflamation (inflammation) and large acne is on me cheeks and temple ara.  My skin just hurts.

[ladyb02]

I was also on birth control until I recently stopped taking back in the summer.  I was have much problems with some other health conditions and taking the birth control was making it worse in addition, I was trying to have a baby with no success.  I think it probably did keep my skin clear for so many years.