Proactiv

[sproosemoose]

Hi

Does anyone use proactiv? I still get pimples and I'm not a kid anymore.
I am hoping that shaving with shaving soap + after shave will get rid of this, but I am not sure if it will.

I used to use a cartridge + shaving foam.

Thanks

 

[Matt555]

See a dermatologist before you spend any of your money on infomercial crap. While it works for some, Proactive will only work on mild cases of surface acne. If the problem is deeper in the skin, Proactive will not do a thing, regardless of what all the celebrities tell you. Trust me on this one.............I spent hundreds on all kinds of stuff that never worked. Their are a bunch of prescriptions that do work however if your acne is not considered mild.

 

[cvac]

If the "pimples" are really just irritation from shaving (i.e. razor bumps/ingrown hairs) then DE shaving might reduce or eventually eliminate them. If it is acne that's also on other parts of your face then DE shaving isn't really going to help much. If you've already tried prescription stuff and your acne isn't severe enough for Accutane, you may want to look at the Daniel Kern line. I would definitely recommend it over Proactiv.

See here:

http://www.danielkern.com/

 

[Oil of Dog]

If the "pimples" are really just irritation from shaving (i.e. razor bumps/ingrown hairs) then DE shaving might reduce or eventually eliminate them. If it is acne that's also on other parts of your face then DE shaving isn't really going to help much. If you've already tried prescription stuff and your acne isn't severe enough for Accutane, you may want to look at the Daniel Kern line. I would definitely recommend it over Proactiv.

See here:

http://www.danielkern.com/

I was able to get an Accutane scrip from my dermatologist even though I didn't have severe or cystic acne; mine was simply persistent and wouldn't clear up regardless of which topicals or antibiotics I was prescribed. It also wasn't shaving related.

It really is a miracle drug - all of your face and body acne is eliminated in 6 months. Those six months, of course, are miserable; horribly dry skin and absolutely NO alcohol. I'd highly recommend it, though, if your acne problems are more than shave related.

 

[RichGem]

I too have occasional bouts of adult acne (I'm 40). First advice is to see a dermatologist to determine if this is true acne or ingrown hairs, irritation, or some other skin condition like dermatitis or other allergic reaction.

Personally, I find ProActive to be a huge rip off. All the "special ingredients" can be found at your local drug store and for much cheaper. Add to this the fact that the company insist that you go on an auto-ship routine, and it borders on scam, imho. I've tried it just for the heck of it, got the run around from ProActive, but they finally canceled my auto-ship without too much additional fuss.

What has worked well for me (and I use it only when needed) is minocyline (sp?) which is a prescription antibiotic used for mild to moderate acne.

Needless to say, also be sure to cleanse your face twice daily with a quality, but mild soap. You may wish to add weekly exfoliation as well, again with a mild product.

Again, please see a dermatologist before you start treating it on your own.

 

[RazorPete]

Moose,

I think proactive is good product, but it is expensive and you can reproduce its effects by using a good over the counter benzoyl peroxide cream/wash and a good oil free moisturizer. I would also echo the comments of the previous posters, if over the counter products used correctly are not helping, its best to go to a dermatologist. This is especially true if you are having inflammatory acne which is causing scarring. The scars do not go away so its important to prevent them. The first line systemic therapy for acne is antibiotics, and the tetracycline group usually are the best. If they are not effective, and there is risk of scarring, then accutane is something to consider. Its quite potent and effective, but there are side effects which must be taken into account. Anyway, I also include a previous post on acne, which I hope is helpful.
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1811960#post1811960

Cheers,

Pete

Hi

Does anyone use proactiv? I still get pimples and I'm not a kid anymore.
I am hoping that shaving with shaving soap + after shave will get rid of this, but I am not sure if it will.

I used to use a cartridge + shaving foam.

Thanks

 

[sproosemoose]

Thanks for the posts.

If I buy some benzol peroxide cream at the chemist, do I apply that to my whole face or just to pimples?

 

[RichGem]

Thanks for the posts.

If I buy some benzol peroxide cream at the chemist, do I apply that to my whole face or just to pimples?

Just your acne 1 or 2x/day. You may want to apply to areas that are prone to break out, but aren't currently broken out 1x/day to keep areas clear. But, for areas not broken out, I'd wait to see what happens without treatment. Start with the lower percentage of benz. per. as it can be drying to your skin. Also go easy on sun and tanning lamp exposure if that applies.

 

[cvac]

You should apply it to the areas where you break out, whether or not there is a pimple there at the moment. Be careful, BP can be very drying, especially if you're not used to it. It will also bleach hair and clothes if you get it on them. It's also important to thoroughly moisturize and use a sunscreen if you are using BP.

Also, drugstore BP is crap, because 1) it doesn't come in large enough quantities 2) cost per ounce is expensive, and 3) it's usually pretty harsh.

If you must use drugstore BP, go for a 2.5% concentration.

 

[RazorPete]

Thanks for the posts.

If I buy some benzol peroxide cream at the chemist, do I apply that to my whole face or just to pimples?

apply it to all the areas of your face that get acne, not just to the pimples. The idea here is not so much to heal up existing lesions, but to prevent new ones from occurring.

 

[ChrisS86]

While Proactiv BP IS in a concentration of 2.5%, I think it's overkill since BP exists in their cleanser AND moisturizer. There is no need to apply BP to your face more than once in your skin care routine. I also don't like the fact that the cleanser has scrub particles in it; this can be very harsh on problem skin especially if you use their cleanser twice per day.

I have heard good things about the Daniel Kern regimen from acne.org, as was mentioned earlier. Basically what you do is wash 2x daily with a gentle cleanser, and then apply a 2.5% BP gel all over your face. I like the idea of using the gentle cleanser because you won't be drying out your skin prior to the BP application.

I also second cvac's point about drugstore BP. For example, a .65 oz tube of Clearasil spot treatment costs $5, which is $7.70 per oz. It looks like the BP on the Daniel Kern website is about $2 per oz, and he offers it in a 32 oz. dispenser as well.

If you start using BP, double check with a doctor or pharmacist about application. They might suggest just using it once a day (before bed) until your skin gets acclimated to it.

 

[MattD]

I've heard that witch hazel after shaving can help out with acne. I have yet to try it, but it's used in some acne medication. You can kill two birds with one stone using it after shaving as it acts as an astringent.

 

[SalvadorMontenegro]

My brother uses it and his skin looks all right. The girl who lives next door to me uses it (I only know this because I see the packages in front of her door) and her skin looks pretty good.

I haven't used it. For one thing, I can't stand the smell of benzoyl peroxide.

 

[cvac]

Kern actually says on his site that you should slowly ramp up to the amount of BP he recommends.

I also like the fact that his face wash and moisturizer are both unmedicated. With the amount of BP you use with his system, there really is no need for a medicated cleanser and moisturizer. Plus, they can be used by people who don't have acne.

And witch hazel doesn't do a whole lot for acne, though it works pretty well as an aftershave.

If you start using BP, double check with a doctor or pharmacist about application. They might suggest just using it once a day (before bed) until your skin gets acclimated to it.

 

[drandall]

i use the daniel kern stuff (acne.org) and it's the best solution i've ever tried (and i've used a bunch of both prescription and over-the-counter)

the cleanser is mild and scent-free. the BP is a gel which goes on easily and covers the whole face. finally there is a very decent moisturizer.

the prices are better than proactiv and you don't have to sign up for the monthly bulls**t payment plan.

high quality at a more reasonably price. worth investigating....

 

[Hyndon]

Hmm...I was always curious about Proactiv myself but after seeing all the comments in this thread I guess it would be a waste of money to test it out.

 

[cfriend]

See a dermatologist before you spend any of your money on infomercial crap. While it works for some, Proactive will only work on mild cases of surface acne. If the problem is deeper in the skin, Proactive will not do a thing, regardless of what all the celebrities tell you. Trust me on this one.............I spent hundreds on all kinds of stuff that never worked. Their are a bunch of prescriptions that do work however if your acne is not considered mild.

This. Tried a few, finally got a prescription topical and BAM. Acne pulled an Acme.

 

[nicks and cuts]

Tried proactiv for 6 months. I personally did not experience any change in my acne. Stopped using it and put on witch hazel and my face started clearing up by the fourth day.

 

[invizable]

Tried proactiv for 6 months. I personally did not experience any change in my acne. Stopped using it and put on witch hazel and my face started clearing up by the fourth day.

Proactiv was incredibly harsh on me. Tried to stick with it for a month, but couldn't take it. I felt like my face was being burned off little by little.
+1 for Thayers Witch Hazel, less acne and no burn.

 

[Lucius]

What has worked well for me (and I use it only when needed) is minocyline (sp?) which is a prescription antibiotic used for mild to moderate acne.

I use minocycline with a combination of benzoyl peroxide wash and cream. It seems to work pretty well but hasn't eliminated anything, and I really have to stay on top of washing my face/shoulders at least once a day with the benzoyl peroxide, preferably twice a day.

My acne has never been exceptionally terrible, but it seems to be really stubborn and doesn't want to go away completely either.