Sorry for the week-long wait. I've been moving into my apartment at college and haven't really had the time.
As I said in my previous post, I've struggled with acne for at least half of my life now. At first I tried using stridex pads, which helped a bit, but was a very uncomfortable process. After that I tried proactive after watching all of the ads on TV. Proactive was harsh, but it worked really well for a few years, so much so that my father started using it as well. With time though, I guess my skin started to become resistant to it so I had to switch again. Then I started to use some Neutrogena products, I'm not quite sure which ones I used though. They worked really well for a a long time, but the effects started to wear off this past april. I would describe my acne overall as moderate because while it never seems to leave my face, it stays there, which I am so thankful for.
From the point of using proactive on I have been active in marching band and indoor percussion as well as a few other physical activities which I am sure helped keep the acne away. Through the years I have also found that the more stress I have, the more acne I have, which isn't particularly good because I tend to worry about anything and everything from the future to paying rent and the electric.
In June I went to a dermatologist with my sister, and I was prescribed two topical medications as well as a pill to take twice a day. She said that my sister and I had "deep acne" but that it could be handled. Two weeks ago, in august, was our second appointment with her, and while my sister's puss-filled acne was gone, mine remained so she upped my pill dosage and left my sister's the same.
In addition to using what is prescribed to me, I sometimes throw in a mask to my routine before I go to sleep at night. Overall, I think that my acne will continue to improve, but I hope I won't have to stay on all these medications forever.
Here are some Pictures (I'm sorry, it's a bit gross)
June and August (About 10 weeks)
