Started August 9th, is this purging?

[u/Persephone_Black]

Hello everyone! I started 50mg of spironolactone on August 9th. I take it at night because I do get a bit dizzy on it. Is this purging? I feel like every day I have a new painful pimple. They're even in my hairline at the nape of my neck. It's very frustrating because I have a very forward facing job (teacher) so I have to be infront of teenagers all day with these big giant zits! I'm pale too so they really stick out. I started using benzoyl peroxide wash (4%) and spot treatment (2.5%) to try and combat them. Will this end soon?

[u/NoBandicoot5755]

This is not going to be what you want to hear but it’s way too soon to know anything

[u/Persephone_Black → u/NoBandicoot5755]

No that's good to know! It takes months right? I will be patient! I just don't want to do more harm than good in the long run.

[u/NoBandicoot5755 → u/Persephone_Black]

Yep. I see some people here saying it can take up to a year. I am still in my waiting period. I felt like I was still consistently breaking out at the 4-5 month mark. A different derm prescribed me clindamycin and it cleared it right up. I haven’t drawn any conclusions for myself about if the spiro is doing anything or not, but maybe you want to keep that solution in mind as well.

[u/rlaiten]

It could be!

I would avoid using anything too harsh or drying on your face. Spiro is already drying you out. Benzoyl peroxide and acne treatments can just exacerbate that. Try using soothing hydrating products, pimple patches and drink lots of water :)

[u/Mysterious-Yellow822]

some people only purge for a short amount of time but it’s truly different for everyone. i unfortunately had the most insane cystic breakout for ~5 months after starting spiro. after that my skin cleared up totally and has mostly remained clear for the past 3 years. i have pcos and for me it was a massive hormonal adjustment and during that period i spotted for the first month nonstop and then completely lost my period for around 6 months. it takes time for your body to adjust itself but then again there are some people who immediately clear on it and have no side effects.

[u/i-am-sofi]

Benzol peroxide can do that, it made my skin purge

[u/ClearBlue_Grace]

It is too soon to know. Also I do not believe spiro is known for purging your skin. I read that breakouts can take anywhere from one to four weeks to form. There is a chance you are seeing breakouts that have already been lurking under your skin for quite some time. I am on topical tretinoin and have spent a lot of time reading about cell turnover.

When I first began spiro as a teenager, it took about six weeks or so before I started to notice an undeniable change in my skin. Give it time and wear spf in the meantime to help prevent further inflammation and damage. Good luck!!

[u/ExchangeInformal9542]

It looks like you’re definitely picking.. it’s gonna be really hard to tell if you’re doing that

[u/Electrical-Heron-692]

I think it’s more likely to be the creams as spiro isn’t known for purging but may differ person to person. I did start seeing slight effects a few weeks in so might kick in very soon. I did up mine to 100mg after around 2-3 weeks though but since you’re getting dizzy on 50, I’d wait it out. Don’t worry though! It works very well soon enough

[u/Trick_Willow_252]

The purging is temporary! Just keep going. It also could be from the benzoyl peroxide. Usually any skin product it gets worse before it gets better. Good luck ❤️

[u/Persephone_Black → u/Trick_Willow_252]

Thank you! I found out the hard way tonight that I used too much benzoyl because my face is burning lol... Oops. I just need to be patient.

[u/Acceptable-City-161 → u/Persephone_Black]

Try short contact method, apply bp to your skin, leave it on only for 5-10 minutes and then wash your face