I started using Proactiv in June to treat my mild acne. Over the next several months of using Proactiv, I suffered severe outbreaks of skin lesions that I had never experienced before using the product. When inquiring about these severe outbreaks, Guthy-Renkers unlicensed medical support representatives "consistently" advised me to continue using Proactiv, "You're just experiencing the 'normal' breakout period. Results vary by person, some see results as little as two weeks, others don't see results until a few months later.
So continue to use the product and your skin will get better." In fact, even a Proactiv representative at the Proactiv Kiosk Queen Center Mall in New York, looked at my face and said exactly the same as the phone representatives. When they learned that the product caused further injuries after the third month or the end of the program, a Guthy-Renker representative said, "You have senstive skin. You are probably allergic to the benzoyl peroxide ingredient. We do have another kit called the Gentle Formula for sensitive skin. I will rush you this product and it will work for you."
With no improvements to my condition, in late November I stopped using Proactiv Solution. Despite the advice given to me by Proactiv representatives to continue treatment with Proactiv, I sought the professional care of a dermatologist to treat the severe outbreak of skin lesions.
After consulting with the dermatologist, I was prescribed a costly and powerful medication, which helped improve my condition. He also had to inject each of the pimples caused by Proactiv, which was quite painful. However, I have been left with permanent pit-scarring and skin discoloration on my face as a result of the irritation caused by my prior use of Proactiv Solution. I will need to have an expensive laser surgery procedure to reduce this skin discoloration with no guarantee that the damage can be reversed.
After watching numerous infomercials where celebrities would endorse a product, I never once questioned if these products were actually used by them. Yet, after I watched the infomercials for Proactiv Solution, it seemed like the celebrities not only used the product, they praised its ability to clear the skin of blemishes.
When I was experiencing mild acne, I had high hopes for Proactiv, and the claims that the celebrities, and the company made. As you have read, the results were not favorable; not only was Proactiv ineffective, but it also caused permanent scarring, short term anguish and depression. This could have been avoided by knowledgeable representatives advising me to stop using the product and consult with a professional dermatologist.
The issue is NOT whether Proactiv works or not, but what matters is the lack of accountability taken by the manufacturer and its affiliates; and also the advice given to me by the Proactiv reps to continue using the product despite the outbreaks that I reported. I urge anyone considering the use of this product to carefully re-evaluate their decision, and perhaps prevent a lifetime of pain and embarrassment as the result of using The Answer for Acne.
I am hoping to make it to the news media on a national level. If you
can help in anyway, please let me know.
See before and after pictures on my personal website: (ROR removed because of security purposes)
Watch the video version.
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