October 25, 2006
Today I returned to the Skin Care Clinic for a procedure called Vibraderm. Vibraderm is similar to Microdermabrasion in that it removes dead tissue from your face but it does not "pelt" the face with tiny particles. Instead, Vibraderm uses a large abrasive paddle, vibrating at very high speeds. The end result is meant to be considerable exfoliation and stimulation of collagen production.
I was a little skeptical about the effectiveness of the procedure, particularly because I have read that it usually given multiple times. This is something that worried me since each session is quite expensive - $125 per treatment. However, I wanted to try something that wouldn't be too harsh on my skin so I figured I give it a go.
The Vibraderm lasted about 20 minutes and was not all that uncomfortable - a little burning and some bleeding from a pimple on my chin.
Afterwards, I was given a Levulan Blue-U Light treatment for 30 minutes. This treatment is meant to kill bacteria and reduce oil production.
Finally, I purchased their skin care line, with the main acne-fighting ingredient being Retin-A.
Of course, I will keep you up to date on any progress. So far, after the redness went away (it took a couple of hours) my skin was left looking much smoother.
October 20, 2006
Okay, so not much new is happening with my skin lately. Nothing bad, nothing good! Yesterday was my first day using L'Oreal's Adult Acne Regimen and here are my first impressions - the cleanser is excellent, it has some exfoliating beads and I also like the toner, it feels less harsh then Proactiv's. However, I don't the feel of the Benzoyl Peroxide 2.55% lotion - it is very sticky and leaves your skin feeling dry and immobile. So far, as I mentioned, my skin looks the same.
October 19, 2006
Living in the world today, it seems as though it is impossible to avoid stress of some sort. If it isn't work, it is something else - the news, family issues, acne. Whatever sends your adrenaline flowing, and for everyone it is something different. I think that in reality stress may play a greater role in contributing to illness then we think. Too often, stomach aches, headaches, fatigue and other ailments are attributed to being "just" stress. Why do we dismiss it like it is no big deal? Maybe we need to take stress managment as seriously as we take care of our bodies (eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising). Daily stress relief is as important as daily exercise for overall health.
The problem with trying to eliminate stress is that it is easier said then done. As I said before, I am trying to embrace my fears so that I can get past them and they will no longer cause me stress. However, I'm no professional, I am just attempting to live a calm, happy life and I will try everything to get there. I also "meditate" daily for 15 minutes, using a AM Mediation CD that I purchased, it is quite good. I definitely have not mastered mind-control yet but I have come to realize that, like exercise, results may not be seen for several months.
Namaste.
October 18, 2006
Yesterday I wrote about an article in Elle magazine discussing skin-care products for the acne inflicted. I was not planning on trying any of these products just yet, as I am about to purchase a set skin-care line from a local clinic. However I found a 7-day trial of L'Oreal Acne Response Daily Adult Acne Regimen and I though I would give it a try just for the week. It contains a pore-clearing cleanser (1% Salicylic Acid), a Skin-Clarifying Toner (Glycolic Acid) and a Blemish-Fighting Lotion (2.55% Benzoyl Peroxide). I will let you know if there is any changes, although a week is not really enough time to test out a product. It seems very similar to Proactiv, with the exception of the exfoliating beads in Proactiv's cleanser.
Meanwhile, I'm keeping up with exercise, good diet, meditation and drinking plenty of water. I've also started to take Zinc, Iron and Milk Thistle (for liver health).
October 17, 2006
I don't usually buy Elle magazine, but I'm always on the lookout for new skin-care and acne treatment tips. This month, I noticed that Elle had an interesting cover-story - "Perfect Skin Now: The Only Acne Treatment You'll Ever Need." So I immediately purchased it to see what they had to say.
Turns out the article was an interview ith a MD/PhD who has been researching acne and other skin disorders as well as working as a skin care consultant for L'Oreal. Basically these are the products she recommends for acne sufferers:
L'Oreal Acne Response Daily Adult Acne Regime (big surprise, since she is a consultant for them)
Topix Pharmaceuticals Replenix CF Cream ($48.50 at SkinCareRx.com)
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($121.95 at SkinCareRx.com)
Glycolyic Elite Sunscreen SPF 30 ($21.50 at SkinCareRx.com)
Interesting, the Replenix green-tea polyphenol cream sounds promising - it may reduce redness. I also wonder if the L'Oreal Acne Response Regime is better then Proactiv. Let me know if you have tried it.
October 16, 2006
Hi everyone, I just got back from my consultation with the dermatologist and I'm very excited! He let me know what my treatment options are and gave me some interesting recommendations. First of all, he advised me to start on his line of skin-care products (big surprise) composed of natural ingredients combined with acne fighting ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids and Retin-A. I have decided to try out his skin care line and also have a session of Vibraderm, a new type of microdermabrasion, that will allow the acne medications to penetrate deeper and will remove some scarring. My appointment is next Wednesday, I can’t wait!
Of course, he also recommended that I eat healthy, exercise and perhaps get on some birth control pills to regulate my hormone levels. Birth control pills (such as Yaz) are something I am going to seriously consider. For now, I will stick to my healthy eating and stress reduction techniques,Tai Chi and morning meditation, which are both going very well.
If there products work for me I will let you know what they are called and how you can purchase them.
October 13, 2006
Although my skin is looking better, my chin area is still quite bad and I am just so sick of the pain of having acne. I can’t wait to see the Dermatologist on Monday, I really hope he can do something for me. I will share what he says with you all when I get back.
So, I know that you are reading my blog because you also would like to have great skin and you want information on how to do it. So, let me talk a little bit about what I have heard about acne and nutrition. First of all, I have read in several magazines that it is important to eat a balanced diet - that means carbs, protein and fats! Definitely don’t go on Atkins if you want to have a healthy complexion.
As far as vitamins are concerned, make sure you are getting an adequate amount of zinc, especially if you are a vegetarian. Most importantly, there is scientific proof that excess Iodine intake can aggravate acne. Iodine is present in high amounts in foods like seaweed, shrimp, milk/dairy products and, of course, anything high in table salt content. I recommend that you switch to non-iodized sea salt at home and limit your intake of the other foods mentioned above. You may want to switch to soy milk, as farmers use iodine-fortified feed to prevent infection in their cows.
October 12, 2006
No matter how hard you try, no matter how well you take care of your skin and try to relieve your stress, you will have skin problems if you have acne-prone skin. You will have those days when your hormones are going crazy for whatever reason and somehow some nasty bacteria found it’s way deep into your pores, causing a pimple to emerge. Hopefully, very soon, these set-backs will be few and far between. But, please don’t get discouraged.
Today is the day for my weekly facial mask, and I’m back to Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Peel to get rid of all those dead skin cells that my skin has so much trouble sloughing off. My skin is looking better but my chin is still covered in pimples, here’s to hope.
October 11, 2006
Today I awoke to the sound of my puppy whining, feeling terrible until I looked into the mirror. I have noticed that my face is looking healthier and I’m getting fewer pimples. But this process is very slow, no matter what treatment you are using, it will take months for your skin to heal.
I would like to make a suggestion regarding this process, why not try living your life like you’ve already got clear skin? Be proud of how you look and don’t worry about what people think. You know that underneath those little sores is a beautiful person. I know this is easier said then done but if you can accomplish it it will dramatically change your life.
I try to keep myself busy thinking about other things. You could try pouring yourself completely into your dreams, whatever they may be. If you don’t know what they are, devote yourself to figuring it out. Notice the things that make you smile during the day and spend more time doing those things. Good luck everyone.
October 10, 2006
Well, so far my skin looks pretty much the same but the most important thing is that I care a little bit less. Since I have started to meditate and do Tai Chi, I find that a new pimple is much less distressing to me then before. However, I no longer think that I can tackle this problem on my own and I have made an appointment for a consultation at my local skin care clinic for next Monday. They have various exotic treatments like Photodynamic, Blue U Light and various facial treatments. I’m so excited to see if what they offer me helps more then what my prior doctors have offered (mainly antibiotics that absolutely didn’t work).
Laughter is the best medicine, as many wise philosophers have astutely noted, and I have come to realize it is true. Try to laugh at least 30 times a day! Actually, it is sort of sad that we have to remind ourselves to laugh. But, it is definitely worth it - start taking time out to read the daily comics, watch your favorite funny sitcom or movie and after awhile you won’t have to remind yourself!
Can't laugh? Then just scream - let out your emotions!
