Niks Maple Clinic- the unsuccessful one

I don't really blog about beauty. In fact, I think I only did 1 post on my skin condition a couple of years back as I just wanted to spread the word about Proactiv to the those who needed some reviews on it #GoodThingMustShare

However, as the saying goes, nothing is constant except change. My skin started flaring up a few months back and even Proactiv didn't save me this time around :( I wasn't blessed with good genes to start off with, those who have commented on my complexion has never seen me during my JC days. I was having huge, inflamed pimples filled with pus, on my face!! So much so I didn't wanna go to school, head out to shop or even look at the mirror. I just wanted to sandpaper everything off! I'm sure those who have acne problems would agree with me that National Skin Center doesn't help at all, hence I turned to oral pills. I was taking this drug called Nemigen + I was seeing Kim Mun (a clinic at Toa Payoh) which specializes in acne at that time. Everything worked... and my skin slowly cleared up...

My pretty much spotless skin, thanks to Proactiv!

Sorry, I know... I digress... Those who wanted to read about Niks Maple Clinic must be dying of anxiety right now. Anyway fast forward a little, my skin became prone towards comedones (I was doing my internship in China and was pretty affected by the polluted air there) and was recommended Proactiv by my neighbour which basically gave me 3 years of pimple free, cleared up complexion.
Not until last few months.... I was having really bad breakouts at the forehead and followed by the chin area. I googled and they said the pimple around the chin is associated with irregular hormones and because I did not want to take the pills again (I read somewhere that Nemigen is bad for the liver) and so I went to Niks Maple Clinic; which was highly recommended by my trusted colleague. 

My skin, at the start- week 0. I was breaking out at the chin area, had those 3-headed-Medusa-like pimples

I've also done my due diligence by combing the entire internet for any details on Niks and apparently Dr Ong is deemed as THE 'Acne doctor" and I immediately felt that there was hope! I remembered calling in around mid May and was told my earliest appointment with Dr Ong (apparently you can only make appointment at the Orchard Central outlet) was 26th August! My heart sank... Whut?!?! I have to live with these bumps for another 3 months? And then towards end of May I got a call from Niks saying that Dr Ong is available. I was elated! I felt like I struck toto (that was how my colleague described my expression that day). 

Niks Maple Clinic bare and simple, it seemed like a no fuss GP clinic. I waited roughly 15 mins before I got to see Dr Ong (despite having an appointment). The staffs were really friendly and Dr Ong herself was really sweet and patient. She explained to me the entire "evolution" of a pimple and clarified my doubts. She also explain to me how I shouldn't be blaming my hormones as its responsible for keeping me young. She told me that I should imagine my pores as pipes. Currently, my "pipes" are blocked and she is going to prescribe me some creams to unblock the pipes. She also said that I needed to continue using the products in order to "manage" the pimples; as I am doomed with these pimply genes.

She gave me a total of 6 products:

• 1 x facewash (which is really like a milk cleanser, it leaves an oily surface on my skin after wash)
• 1 x lipid golden lipid complex (not too sure what is is but it has an oil-like consistency, this was suppose to help the skin heal and clear up the pimples)
• 1 x aroma acne gel (an alcohol based product which is suppose to clear up the pimples)
• 1 x skin repair cream (some cream based product which is suppose to help repair the skin)
• 1 x retinoic acid  0.01 % (I googled, and this apparently helps purge out those toxins and clear up the pores)
• 1 x concealer/ pimple cream (It is tinted and didn't quite serve much as a pimple cream but I liked the coverage it provided)
• Total Damage: $170 (including consultation)

I remembered I was filled with hope. Those who have been burdened by acne problems would definitely understand what I mean by "HOPE". I continuously and diligently used every single product according to the prescription but all I experienced was more and more pimples!! I did some research and most bloggers said it is normal for the skin to purge and so I hung in there... week 1 wasn't so bad but week 2-3 was really horrifying. My parents told me something is not right as I havent broken out like that since JC but I told them "this is the purging process and Dr Ong said treating pimples requires patience." Yes... did I mention to you i was filled with HOPE?! The following pictures will disgust some of you so please view with discretion.

Week 1

28th May-There were small little pus-ful pimples popping out around my chin, I thought this is the purging stage

30th May- The small pimples seems to be controlled, purging stage gone?

5th June- the pimples seems like its sort of under control but new ones are popping out, has it spread to my cheeks?

Week 2

7th June - purging at its full blast maybe? My chin was filled with angry inflammed cyst like pimples and cheeks were kinda affected as well

8th June: trying to cover it up with the concealer given but to no avail

Week 3-4 

18th June- old pimples are healing and I'm praying new ones wont pop out

18th June - trying my best to cover them up with the concealer /pimple cream but either I suck at it or my pimples are just too red

20th June - just when I thought my skin is clearing up... another one pops out :(

Well, hope did sort of made me survive 4 weeks of inflamed and angry pimples and I struck toto once more! I managed to get an appointment with Dr Ong during week 5 and she said my skin was getting better. Technically, it was better than week 2 -3 but way worse than what I began with prior to visiting Niks Maple Clinic. As usual Dr Ong was really nice and patient, she prescribed a stronger retinoic acid 0.025% and I replenished my products as well. Total damage: $204 (including consultation)

Week 5

26th June - I thought the 0.025% Retinoic Acid is casuing my purge and its "good" for my skin

28th June - pimples, scars and more pimples. Not so hopeful, when will this purging end?

30th June - I swear this area broke out before! I thought it was suppose to unblock the pipes?!? Why are the pipes still blocked?

 I admit, I'm stubborn. I'm stubborn as I was hopeful. My skin was getting worse, that was a fact but I was blinded sided by all these hope that I've gotten cos I've visited the renowned Dr Ong from Niks Maple Clinic. Hope aside, money aside, I really wanted the products to work but the truth is, it just didn't work for me. It caused more pimples to pop out, more scars to be healed and I felt nothing but devastation.

3rd July - I'm finally convince it doesn't work for me. All the products left were scars on my face :(

10th July- All I have to do now is patiently wait for these scars to heal

I'm not trying to discredit anybody nor trying to dissuade anyone from visiting Niks Maple Clinic. I'm just trying to paint the other side of the picture, the unsuccessful side of my visit to Niks. Everyone's skin is different, I'm pretty sure a lot of people have sworn by Niks and I'm truly happy it worked for them! Facial acne is an extremely tough and emotional battle which I wish for no one. I just want others out there to know when to stop, when to say the so called "purging" is no longer purging and its your skin telling you "ITS NOT WORKING DUDE!!!" Nevertheless, you'll never know whether it works if you do not try it out yourself. But please be smarter than me, heed the advice of your loved ones and stop whenever its getting bad.

I've surrendered and given up on topical creams. I know its bad to consume any form of medication for acne (be it hormonal pills or antibiotics) but I would rather take the pills, clear the skin and stop being depressed than to cry almost every night and suffer the pain of inflamed pimples. I'm currently taking Acnotin 10. Apparently, its the same as Accutane (which reviews are widely available on the internet).  The main ingredient stopping the pimples is Isotretinoin and hence I assume anything with Isotretinoin might work just as well. I also find those 99% pure Aloe Vera Gel to be really helpful for lightening the scars. I'm also eating more Vitamin C and eating loads of fruits and yoghurt to help my skin heal. I hope the above pics didn't scare you and I wish for your battle with acne to end as well! Cheerios Amigo~