I have posted several times about my journey toward clear skin. Every time I thought I had a handle on things, a few months later my skin would say: “that’s a lie.”
However, this time things are different and SO MUCH BETTER!
Actually, this time last year my skin was rebelling again me. Though I hadn’t changed my regimen, I was experiencing large breakouts that would take awhile to go away.
Matter of fact, my skin was never really clear, but I felt that my acne was under control. I thought a few pimples every period was the best I could hope for. Unfortunately, as I rolled into 2020, my skin only got worse and in February I decided to find a dermatologist in the Atlanta area.
This time, and for the first time, I searched for a Black woman dermatologist.
Then the Pandemic hit, and I could not get an appointment until May.
Nonetheless, I was able to visit the dermatologist, and this time I was willing to pay whatever it took. After my visit, I realized that this visit was different than any I’d experienced before. Yes, I walked away with products, but this time I walked away with a diagnosis, a regimen, and a ONE MONTH follow-up appointment.
In years past, the dermatologist would give me a prescription topical or two, and approve over the counter products I was using to care for my skin. I even did a series of micro-needling last year, avoiding my checks that had small breakouts.
The Diagnosis
This time I was told to scrap my products, and I walked away with products from my dermatologist’s office, a written down morning and evening routine, and two more appointments within that month. Check out my skin-care routine below:
I had acne and Rosacea on my cheeks. ROSACEA! In all of these years, no one mentioned that fact. This time I was given a prescription for Oracea to take care of the Rosacea internally. I also had a Hydrafacial scheduled for a few days after my dermatologist appointment, and a follow-up appointment with the dermatologist in four weeks’ time.
Why did I have clear skin before I went back to the dermatologist?
In ONE FREAKIN MONTH!
Never had that happened before. The crazy thing is that my skin has been clear ever since. I’ve even had a few periods without a hormonal breakout! That means that I am six months acne-free.
I shared the cost breakdown in the video below alongside what I learned along the way:
It’s important for me to share what it takes for those like me to achieve clear skin. People who have dealt with adult acne for 15 years, seen several dermatologists, and are still dealing with acne.
After all of this time, I thought that I just had to live with the cycle of acne flare-ups with small bouts of semi-clear skin. My acne-scarring and hyperpigmentation are a testament to that journey.
I’ve had a follow-up appointment since that last video, and my next appointment is six months away!
Clear Skin for the Win!
I have added a vitamin c serum to help with hyperpigmentation, and am tasked with staying consistent until my next appointment. I do not have to take the Oracea anymore, but if I experience any resurgence of Rosacea I can renew my prescription.
I also have the option of going through a new round of micro-needling, but I think for now I will enjoy another six months of clear skin before deciding on that course of treatment.
