An
Interview with Jean: Overcoming Adult Acne
Jean’s
story shows another interesting perspective of how acne can become
a real problem as an adult. When we think that acne is finally
over as we leave our teenage years there is still a chance that
adult acne will come again in equal or greater force.
As
an example of one of those people who have experienced more severe
acne as an adult and found a solution, Jean’s
story I’m sure will strike a chord.
So,
what has been your experience with acne?
I’ve
had it all my life since puberty, but it really only flared up
in my late 30s with hormonal changes, I think. It kind of caught
me off guard. I didn’t expect having it at this point in
my life. It was like I was a teenager again. After thirty-five
it was a constant problem.
What
are the most difficult aspects of it?
First
off the main problem is that it made me uncomfortable with my
appearance. There was pain or itching irritation that kind of
thing.
What
were some ways, besides prescription medication or OTC treatment
that you felt were helpful in controlling acne?
I
really hadn’t figured out the combination of factors that
would make it stay away for good. It flared up from stress or
hormonal fluctuation or changes in the weather. I thought that
would make it worse, but I never figured out what made it better.
What
were some of the treatments you have used for acne?
Drug
store brands, Cleansers, that acid that a lot of them have in
it didn’t react well with my skin and would cause irritation.
I’ve tried benzyl peroxide and Proactive. When I used Proactive
I would get some relief from the acne but it would just over dry
my skin and be very uncomfortable.
From
those treatments that you’ve tried, were they helpful?
Somewhat
helpful. They did reduce it but they didn’t make it go away.
Did
you experience side effects? If so, how severe?
Most
would end up burning my skin. A lot of flakiness and dryness.
For the most part, they were just too strong for my skin.
Have
you tried any prescription treatment?
I
only took antibiotics and I also used a prescription topical steroid.
Did
they help?
It
was consistently helpful in reducing the acne. My skin would become
instantly clear. But in some of the prescription antibiotics,
the doctor told me there was a chance of liver damage. That scared
me. I’d rather have acne.
Some
also upset my stomach and gave me secondary infections like yeast
infection. I’d taken so much antibiotics that I was having
chronic yeast infections. The doctors thought that I was diabetic,
but it all boiled down that it was the antibiotics.
So,
how did you start using AcneRecovery?
I
was a Trienelle customer
and had been using those lotions for a year prior to the study.
They emailed me to see if I was interested in being part of the
sample group. When I found out that they were going to be taking
100 participants in a study and were testing all kinds of acne,
not just teen acne -- which they were looking for people with
adult acne -- I decided to try it.
What
were your initial impressions of AcneRecovery when you first started
using it?
At
first I remember reading that it was adjustable but I couldn’t
really picture it. I was really impressed by the packaging. I’m
kind of a control freak so the thought of tailoring it to my needs
was appealing. The product itself I didn’t have any problems
with.
What
were some of your concerns?
I
had some irritation from the product at first and it took me a
while to figure out what settings to use. I started out at the
lowest setting, but my skin built up resistance to it. I had a
lot of peeling and a lot of raw red areas on my face too. It took
my skin a while to adjust but once I got through that, when I
could adjust the strength upward, at that point it got a lot better.
They suggested that we start at the lowest
setting. Everything was fine after the first few days. It
just took my body a while to get used to that.
Overall
how effective has AcneRecovery been for you?
I’ve
had this acne for seven years and it’s completely cleared
up. If I do get a blemish it clears up and heals really fast.
My skin has a hard time healing and lot of the products clear
up the acne but they don’t let your skin heal. But if I’m
really good about using AcneRecovery regularly the repair lotions
help my skin heal fast. It significantly speeds up that process,
which was really painful and frustrating before. My skin clears
up a lot faster than it used to.
Have
you experienced any side effects from using AcneRecovery?
If
I’m not paying attention to the dosages on the dial. I will
sometimes get some flakiness. But for the most part my skin just
looks really good with it, especially in comparison to what it
was before.
For those reading this interview and thinking about trying AcneRecovery,
what advice would you give?
I think specifically to AcneRecovery that it’s a great product
and that you have to give it the 60-90 day test. I really think
that that is going to tell you if the product is going to work
or not. You can’t just take a couple weeks. You have to
figure out what setting works the best for your skin and that
takes a little time. Or at least it did in my case. After you
get through that first few weeks it’s better because then
you are in control of your own medication.
And
that’s the good part, especially for all of us control freaks.
(laughs) Exactly.
By
Dave
