Some questions about Differin
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free skin care · Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:09 am

After nearly 2 months of oral antibiotics, I went back to my GP to tell him that its not working and that I want to try something stronger. He wasnt that helpful as all he wanted to continue to put me on was oral/topical antibiotics until I told him that my friend has had great success with Differin.

He had to check his "dictionary" to look up the term and usage of Differin. And when I asked him some other skincare questions, he seemed a bit puzzled---he didnt know what tazorac was cos it seems like we dont use it here in the UK, when I asked him if I would purge from using Differin, he didnt know what I meant either. Most weirdly is that, whilst in most skincare boards, people rec salicylic acid for acne but when I asked him if I could use it, he told me that SA isnt really used for acne but for veruccas and warts

, now Im confused!

After checking with the dictionary he told me that he could prescribed the Differin. There's still a few questions that I want answers to but I know he wont have them Rolling Eyes

and even reading the threads related to Differin here, Im still confused about a few things:

1- Can I use jojoba oil and EOs with Differin?

2- I'm still unsure of the salicylic acid- I've read the insert twice but cant seem to find where it says you cannot combine the two?

3-If not BHA lotions/serums, can I use peels?

4- It however say that one can use BP but only in the morning, but has anyone actually used this combo before?

5- Would I really purge if I only spot treat it for now? I dont want to go on hol with major breakouts!

6- Are there other precautions re the Differin?

Thanks for your help!
(I'm sure I still have a few more questions, but I cant think of it right now!)

free skin care · Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:11 am

BTW this is the insert and it has no mention of salicylic acid:

http://xpil.medicines.org.uk/ViewPil.aspx?DocID=14802

Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:19 pm

Hey YY,

Not sure about your questions, but the link is to the manufacturers data sheet.

http://www.inhousepharmacy.com/skin-care/differin-information.html

HTH! Smile

free skin care · Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:27 pm

I don't know the answer to most of your questions, but I have used Differin. I don't know how severe your acne is, but I have struggled with fairly severe cystic acne for years. When I tried differin it really did not help at all. My skin did feel much softer, so it improved the texture, but did nothing to help the acne itself. I know everyone is different and it may work for you, but if your acne is somewhat severe you may want to try Tazorac. That is the only prescription thing that has truly helped me with the cystic acne and it has the added benefit of helping with lines/wrinkles. At least that's what my derm tells me. Good luck!

free skin care · Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:53 pm

does Differin has any content (ingredients) that will clog pores?

free skin care · Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:40 pm

rainbow_listic wrote:

does Differin has any content (ingredients) that will clog pores?

Ingredients:

Adapalene 0.1%, carbomer 940, propylene glycol, poloxamer 182, disodium edetate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide and purified water

free skin care · Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:48 pm

[quote="yeahyeah"]Most weirdly is that, whilst in most skincare boards, people rec salicylic acid for acne but when I asked him if I could use it, he told me that SA isnt really used for acne but for veruccas and warts

, now Im confused!

I don't think that's true at all. I think that GPs in the UK tend to think that acne isn't a serious issue and don't take it seriously (at least in my personal experience).

I have used differin but didn't find it useful. It can take over 2 months to achieve results and I did experience purging.

1- Can I use jojoba oil and EOs with Differin?

I don't see any reason why not but not at the same time. You don't want to add further things after the differin. The proceedure should be wash face in the evening, wait a bit and then apply a pea size differin. In am use moisturizer. You could then use the jojoba and EOs (I assume you mean tea-tree oil and lavender, right?)

2- I'm still unsure of the salicylic acid- I've read the insert twice but cant seem to find where it says you cannot combine the two?

I think that would be too much exfoliation. Start with the differin and eventually see if you can add the salicylic acid. Or just go with salicylic acid.

3-If not BHA lotions/serums, can I use peels?

No, don't use peels (at least until your skin gets accustomed to it). I have burnt myself badly using a peel and differin.

4- It however say that one can use BP but only in the morning, but has anyone actually used this combo before?
I have but I don't like the idea of BP in the am as it makes skin more sun sensitive.

5- Would I really purge if I only spot treat it for now? I dont want to go on hol with major breakouts!

I'm not sure about just spot treatment. You may want to do a wider area. You may purge.

6- Are there other precautions re the Differin?

Differin is a retinoid (I'm not using the exact chemical term but it's in the same family as retin A) - so sunscreen, be careful if you're pregnant, cut back on exfoliation.

As I said earlier, I don't care much for differin. i'd recommend continuing with the JM Bioclear. I had better results with it than retin A recently.

free skin care · Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:06 am

Anti-acne formulations tend to have SA in them since it certainly exfoliates the skin and tends to be great at cleaning out pores.
BUT I HOPE what you have is NOT a % that is used to burn warts off--if so, don't get that salicylic acid anywhere at all near your face!

If you DO have a specifically acne-specific preparation, I do not see why you shouldn't be able to use it with the differin. Differin is very gentle, and shouldn't even make your skin peel.

Some people even use acid preparations before their retinoid applictions in order to increase their effectivity. avene has a retinoid called diacneal that has glycolic acid in it, and green cream is based on that very principle.
\
i would definitely start out alternating nights though.

--avalange

free skin care · Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:21 am

Hi, yeahyeah. If I were you, I would get a different dermatologist. It sounds like your derm is not keeping up with current knowledge, or maybe he specializes in a different area (e.g., skin cancer) and is not interested in acne.

When I first sought treatment for rosacea, the derm I was seeing then prescribed prescription strength hydrocortisone. I dutifully applied it according to her directions. At first, I saw great improvement. As time went on, though, I started to see big problems (many broken blood vessels, thinning skin, etc.). The derm kept telling me not to worry about it, but I started doing research online. I found out that hydrocortisone is contraindicated for rosacea and can actually make the condition much worse. I read several reputable sites that said "No dermatologist should ever prescribe hydrocortisone for treatment of rosacea." Of course, I got another derm ASAP. Unfortunately, I cannot reverse the damage that the first derm caused.

My point is that an uneducated derm can cause real damage. If your derm is not aware of basic stuff, how can you trust him?

Good luck!

free skin care · Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:09 am

Wow, Jeannine, that's just horrible! I hope you have found someone to treat your condition and help you heal.

I think yeahyeah just has to get hrself a dermatologist in the first place--I think she said it was her general practitioner who was lacking the proper dermatological knowledge, which makes a bit more sense.

but yes, be careful and do lots of research before you settle on one, since they can be expensive and pretty worthless! i had a dermatitis reaction from the hard water and the derm here in france told me i had acne (I get about three isolated blemishes per year!) and prescribed me differin too, about 100 Euros later. I tried to argue with him, but he wouldn't have it. Needless to say, I was upset!

--avalange

Jeannine wrote:

Hi, yeahyeah. If I were you, I would get a different dermatologist. It sounds like your derm is not keeping up with current knowledge, or maybe he specializes in a different area (e.g., skin cancer) and is not interested in acne.

When I first sought treatment for rosacea, the derm I was seeing then prescribed prescription strength hydrocortisone. I dutifully applied it according to her directions. At first, I saw great improvement. As time went on, though, I started to see big problems (many broken blood vessels, thinning skin, etc.). The derm kept telling me not to worry about it, but I started doing research online. I found out that hydrocortisone is contraindicated for rosacea and can actually make the condition much worse. I read several reputable sites that said "No dermatologist should ever prescribe hydrocortisone for treatment of rosacea." Of course, I got another derm ASAP. Unfortunately, I cannot reverse the damage that the first derm caused.

My point is that an uneducated derm can cause real damage. If your derm is not aware of basic stuff, how can you trust him?

Good luck!

free skin care · Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:34 am

Thanks for all the replies!

Cat----yes, I use jojoba oil with lavender and sometimes ylang ylang. Because the Differin is kinda drying, I find that if I dont moisturise at all after using it, my skin is really tight...but I do wait at least 30minutes after applying Differin.
I've quite using the Jan Marini because although it has certainly removed some blackheads on my nose and made my skin look more even...its the acne that I'm bothered about.
I agree that GP's arent really that interested about the blemishes on the skin!. He made me seem like a really vain person! He doesnt even recommend any specific skincare lines that I can use or other tips that are proven useful for dealing with acne.

Avalange---you mean alternating nights with Differin and salicylic acid?

Jeannine---I hope the derm you saw is no longer a derm for the way she treated your rosacea! I agree that the reputation, experience and knowledge are important.
Avalange' s right, I only went to see my General Practitioner. I dont think that I can get a referal to see a derm with just 2 visits to my GP and my acne isnt severe. And even when my GP writes the referal letter to the hospital, it takes 3months plus to actaully get an appointment with the derm Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:18 pm

yeahyeah, the JM Bioclear helped with my acne. I'm sorry it didn;t work for you. Maybe you should drop the Dr. Hauschka things (says so in your signature but I'm not sure what you're using). I was using the cleansing milk and in the end, stopping it helped.

Good luck with the differin.

free skin care · Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:01 pm

Thanks Cat Smile

I'm only using Dr Hauschka's rejuvenating mask, which I must say when left on for an hour+ really calms and moisturises the skin and the translucent bronze concentrate. I've quit using the cleansing cream!

YY

free skin care · Wed Aug 15, 2007 6:18 pm

I was prescribed Differin for congested pores (not cystic acne or pimples) and it was great for clearing the skin but also at the same time extremely drying. I would suggest you use some deep moisturising treatments during this time to prevent any long term damage to the skin, like thinning, "scarring" - where the product is constantly applied it leaves permanent marks, and sun damage. If you find your skin to became very taut, but still oily, try a low % glycerine + water emulsion as it helps to keep skin soft without overloading with oil.

HTH

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:45 am

Hi miranets

I have been taking care not to let the Differin dry out my face. But I was wondering, when you mentioned thinning, how should I know? I have noticed that around my nose, I can see some reddish veins, but I'm sure they've always been there Confused

YY

free skin care · Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:16 pm

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=522554&highlight=differin#post522554

What do you all think of Marti's advice, to use jojoba oil BEFORE Differin?

free skin care · Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:24 pm

that's probably to create a "buffering" effect, which helps modulate the effects of the differin (which can be too strong for some at first). once your skin gets used to the "buffered" version of the rx, i guess one could theoretically move up to the unbuffered version, etc. etc.

free skin care · Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:22 am

Thanks youngrace!
The Differin isnt really that strong, my skin isnt as dry as day 1 of using it, so I've already added in JM bioclear every other day in the am.

If anyone else that have used Differin can contribute to the thread and their progress, please do! Very Happy

YY

free skin care · Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:32 pm

Just a hug to you yeahyeah, hope it works for you. Oh, and one recommendation to try the transformation cream after the Bioclear, it really helps to calm the skin down.

free skin care · Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:02 pm

Thanks Cat Smile

. I have read quite a lot of reviews of the transformation cream but whats the difference between the cream and the serum? Is the cream like bioclear cream, cos that was way too oilt for my skin. And isnt the transformation cream for anti-aging purposes?

YY

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