I have struggled with POD off and on (mostly on) since 2019. I am still working on getting rid of it completely but this is the first time I’ve felt real hope in a very long time. This started around my senior year of high school. I’ve been put on doxycycline, metronidazole gel, tacrolimus, and tons of other topical/ oral antibiotics over the last 6 or so years but every single time it seemed to resurface shortly after completing the regimen. I remember a few weeks ago (while I was on another round of doxy) seeing someone post about how all of these new skin care fads caused their POD struggles and that the only thing that worked was 2 years of zero therapy. Reading two years was pretty defeating for me however, after finishing doxy and my skin flaring up once again I gave it a shot. I’m on week two right now and let me just say, I could CRY from the results I’m seeing. I haven’t noticed any new pustules the last couple of days, and the old ones are no longer irritating, itchy, or inflamed. My skin has begun to get flakey where the pustules were (which is a sign of your skin repairing the stripped and damaged barrier) and I’ve never been more excited that I may actually come out of this hole. Zero therapy is HARD and you will see it get worse before it gets better, but I will 100% recommend it for anyone struggling as bad as I have been the last 6 years. Lukewarm water to wash 1-2 times a day depending on how the skin feels, NO moisturizer particularly on outbreaks but avoid all together if you can, and for those burning, irritated, fresh outbreaks, some ice will do the trick to keep you from touching it! I attached a picture of my skin as of last night, unfortunately I don’t have a picture at its worst as I couldn’t stand to look at myself. If you’ve read this whole thing I really hope this helps you be more comfortable and confident in your skin journey and hope I can point some people in a direction that may also work for them. And as a soon to be licensed esthetician, I warn everyone PLEASE be careful with all of these new skincare fads, all these social media influencers that are making money off of you, and the 50 step skin care routines. The basics still work!

My journey/ advice treating POD