How I got rid of my acne and scaring

(Click on the image to see it bigger please. Note that in the before pictures, I was wearing Revlon Colorstay foundation, they were really red and uglier than in those pictures,  these were the only ones I couldn't find that I didn't delete)

Disclaimer: The products I'm about to show you worked for my skin. These were products prescribed to me by a dermatologist.I'm only showing you what I did and how it worked. I'm not a doctor or anything, so you have to be careful while using anything harsh for your skin and always follow the instructions.

So now that all the introductions and disclaimers are made I can start to write about my dreadful and horrible acne experience.

I just turned 21, and it was only last year (by this time) that I had acne, before then I always had perfect skin. I have really sensitive fair skin, any pimple that I would have would show off like crazy because I'm so pale and my skin it's so thin. After I turned 20 years old last year I started having little bumps on my chin that weren't normal, I thought it was because of stress with college and everything so I didn't do anything. By the time December came I was stuck in home for three weeks because I couldn't get out of my house... I had huge acne all over my chin, they were big pimples that were all infected and gross. My family were really preoccupied because it was really bad and they never saw my skin like that, and because I was so fair it was the first thing you would notice on me.I tried everything on the market and every natural remedies I could find, and nothing. It just wouldn't go away.. I failed classes at college because I couldn't go to the exams looking like that. It seems really vain of me but they would be bloody and itchy all the time and I couldn't take it. 

I wouldn't go to the doctors because I knew they would prescribe me something harsh for my body and I just didn't want to deal with it. The side effects could be awful and I didn't want to deal with them... so I just waited. By the time February came I still have them but they weren't so bad, but still I was left with scaring that was impossible to hide. I just gave up and made an appointment at a dermatologist at the end of March and it was the best thing I ever done for my skin and me. 

She prescribe me what I was fearful of.... Accutane which in Portugal has another name but it's the exactly same thing. She said that I had to use two products everyday while taking my medication 3 times a week only in low doses because my acne wasn't that severe at that time already. 

1. Accutane
2. Uriage Hyséac AHA moisturizer
3. Kétrel creme

Accutane- (Prescription only) This is the strongest medication you can take for acne. And has many possible side effects that aren't so good and a lot of people can't take this. You have to be followed by your doctor while using this, especially in high doses, for me it wasn't necessary because I was only taking them 3 times a week. This will basically dry you out of all the moisture you have on your body. Not kidding. While using this I had dry skin and dry hair. This medication will also peel your skin. My skin started to peel off after the third pill I took. It wasn't super bad but you're going to have to warn the people around you that you're on medication that's why you have skin dripping all over your face ahaha My lips were all chapped and bruised, especially on the corners so use a ton of lips balms and Vaseline on your lips and it will disappear. Also, you HAVE to use sun protection and cannot exfoliate or wax while on this treatment. I was on Accutane for 4 months and my skin it's clear. Months latter, my skin stopped being dry and now I have combination skin. You have to have a doctor prescription to take this medication so I would recommend you to go to a dermatologist and talk about your problem.

Uriage Hyséac AHA moisturizer- I have been using this since April and it's the best moisturizer I have ever used. From the first application you'll see results. Your skin won't be matte and dull, but this will give you a healthy glow while not drying out your skin and killing all the acne. This is the perfect base for make-up. I'm taking a break from it because my skin it's getting used to it unfortunately! You can by this moisturizer and the cleanser at any pharmacy.

As I said before, I was left with a lot of scaring. I wish I could show you how bad it was. Even Revlon Colorstay foundation couldn't cover those red scars on my chin. My dermatologist even said that it was pretty bad, and it might never come off... only if I used this next product everyday for 16 weeks. 

Kétrel Creme- This little creme only costs 2€ at the pharmacy but it was the best thing that happened to me!!!! This was the product that completely vanished my acne scars. And no, it doesn't lighten them, it removes them forever. This creme has a form of retinol on it called tretinoin A this is the key ingredient that will help you to erase your scars. So even if you don't have this creme, you can talk to your doctor or even in your pharmacy and get a creme with this ingredient. I had to use this every night on my problem area, after the first week your skin will be really raw and irritated but it's normal, after a week it will pass. You just have to stick to it and get through it because the final result will be perfect. I used this EVERY night for 3 months and after the first one they were already almost gone. I used during the day sun screen every time I stepped out of my house because if you don't, then they will become worse, so USE A SUN SCREEN!

I stopped my treatment in July so for two months I didn't exfoliate or waxed any part of my body. Even though I wasn't using the kétrel or medication you have to wait a while so your skin can recuperate and get back to normal.

   4.  Magic Peeling Glove -  (I have made a review about this before click here to go there) After you skin gets back to normal, you'll have huge pores still and maybe a pimple here and there, so you need to exfoliate your skin really good to keep the results, and this glove helped me a lot with that, if I have a tiny pimple, I use this two times and there's no scar left, plus it doesn't irritate or dry out my sensitive skin, it's not harsh at all. You can check out my review about it to know more about this glove.

And that's it! I know how horrible acne can be and how can it destroy someone's self esteem. I went through hell trying to get rid of it with all these cleansers and moisturizers that did nothing! If you have severe acne, you have to know that it isn't a simple cleanser that will help you because the problem it's within you. Maybe you're stressed, maybe you're not eating right or maybe it's just hormones or genetics! It can be anything, but I advise you to go to the dermatologist because they know what they are talking about and will discuss with you the possible cures. But if you have only some pimples then don't worry, the right cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliator and make-up will do the trick. I still have some pimples here and there, but they are not all red and gross now and they don't leave a mark because I found something that works.

If you have any questions or want to share your experiences with acne and scaring with me, feel free to comment or email me, I love earring your thoughts and answer to your questions, and if you're dealing with acne right now, be strong and know that there is a cure, just go to the doctors and find out what you can do to improve your skin (: