I’m ~10 weeks into Aklief (every other night at first, now nightly for ~5 weeks).
I purged for ~8 weeks. The last 1–2 weeks feel like it’s improving (fewer really inflamed, angry breakouts), but I’m still getting new pimples, and closed comedones keep turning inflamed before going away.
Context: I came off birth control after ~8 years on it and also did ~4 months of high-dose prednisone for an unrelated condition around the same time (it’s an oral corticosteroid that can trigger acne, especially after stopping). A few months later I got crazy inflammatory cheek acne, which I’ve never had before.
I definitely had also damaged my barrier around that time (exfoliation + Aklief) and had to pause then restart.
What I’m trying to figure out:
If your skin looked similar to mine at this stage, did it actually go on to fully clear with Aklief - and roughly how long did that take?
I don’t want to go back on hormonal BC, and Accutane feels extreme for me right now. Just trying to figure out if I should stick this out or rethink.
Routine:
AM:
- Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cleansing Cream OR PanOxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Creamy Wash (alternate every morning)
- On mornings that I use the Avène cleanser, I use the Anua Azelaic Acid serum; when I use the Panoxyl cleanser, I skip this
- Aestura Atobarrier 365 Moisturizing Cream
- EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 / EltaMD UV Daily (SPF 40)
PM:
- Avène Cleanance Hydra Soothing Cleansing Cream
- Pea-sized amount of Aklief
- Aestura Atobarrier 365 Moisturizing Cream (after 20 minutes for Aklief to dry)
Thank you!!