3rd Blood Test, Injection and Sunblock

My third blood sample was taken without incident, lets hope it doesn't get lost between the office and the lab!

Julia (the physician's aide who supervises my treatment) is really nice. She saw the big pimple on my cheek and was like "Oh, do you want me to inject that?" and I'm like, "Inject it? With what?" She says, "I'll inject it and it will be gone by tomorrow!" And of course I'm like "Yeah!"

I get these dark patches on my skin, symmetrically sorta down from my near the inner corner of my eyes, and expanding outward onto my cheeks. It looks kinda weird, like symmetrical dirt or like a cat, but it is also on my forehead. I am not sure if it is skin damage from the acne or hormonal stuff like "the mask of pregnancy" that it resembles. It shows up from sun exposure.

I can treat it with bleaching cream, but haven't been since starting the accutane, but Julia said I totally can!

She also told me that the Neutrogena Helioplex stuff is not strong enough, and that I need something with zinc oxide in it. She gave me several samples, and I will look for make up with sunscreen that has zinc oxide it as well.

Day 14, Month 1

We are in Tucson, AZ, which is obviously a dry climate. I think I might finally be detecting some dryness, but it could also be the desert. My skin looks really good however, which is great. For the past year and 1/2 I have been treated with minocycline, which worked really well, but can't be used forever. When I tried weening off it, the acne came right back. They put me back on minocycline for the month long waiting period be fore starting this, which cleared up my skin. I think coming into this with clear skin helped. I'm glad the breakout from last week is over. When I was using the minocycline, which I knew was going to be temporary, I really appreciated everyday my skin was clear, and still do now.

Hopefully my lack of dry and peeling side effects is due to all my diligent moisterizing, and not a lack of effectiveness. I have been using a fragrance free thick cream from Trader Joes, and Aquaphor on my lips and in my nostrils everyday, since before I started. I also drink tons of water. But the feeling that the medicine is working now, has me feeling optimistic.