OMG. Why, why, why????
Why does it all have to come out in my face?
My perfect skin used to be something people used to compliment and something I TOTALLY took for granted.
Since the month of February, my skin went from bad to worse. It was already dry with lots of white heads under the skin and a few big pimples. I thought that was the worse it would get and boy was I wrong.
I got major acne, I think they call it cystic acne. Big dark angry pimples, under the skin and erupting as well. UGH.
I get them on my cheaks, along my hairline and I have a very tenacious patch of them on the right side of my forehead.
It *seems* as if it is getting better, but the acne scars are pretty aweful.
Makeup helps covering the color, but not the bumps. What to do, what to do???
I use everyday minerals and some Meow minerals. I've tried everything. Clay, expensive products -didn't even care if it would make me flare (nothing did), drugstore stuff (Neutrogena, etc.)
Then I realised that there is basically nothing that I can do. I just need to accept it.
There is no morale of the story, nor a happy ending (yet), but I do hope that you can all share your stories with me, specially if you had bad acne and if your skin came back to normal. I NEED HOPE. It's my face!!!!
Big hug,
b
Hi B..
When mine arrive...they are BIG...UGLY....RED....UNDERGROUND..RIDUCULOUSSSS..and THEY enjoy living with me for at least a month at a time.....
I am 41 but my face thinks I am a teeeeenager....
OVER THISSSSS.....
big squeeezes,
Keren
I can absolutely relate. I have struggled BIGTIME with my skin throughout treatment. For many months if not a year at the beginning my face was covered -- as in COVERED -- with them. Then added to the mix were deep painful cysts that wouldn't go away, usually around my chin or the dreaded middle of the forehead (why???). Never mind the scars, which I was certain wouldn't go away even if the pimples did, and Matia said I couldn't do anything like lasers to treat them even in the future when well. I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide. Anyone I talked to who had acne had it go away much much quicker, or were already experiencing better/glowing skin just a few months into treatment even if their bladders were still bad... so I didn't know if/when mine would stop. I seriously couldn't take it anymore. You said you need HOPE so here's a heaping tablespoon... it FINALLY started getting much much better after the 1 year mark (I'm now 1.5 years in).... I've had so many days where my skin has absolutely no pimples or a few that are negligible. I am still dealing w/ breakouts sometimes but it's to a much lesser degree & totally manageable & more coverable w/ makeup, and I still sometimes have cysts but many times they don't come out fully, they just hover around the surface, teasing and taunting me- hah!. And the scars I thought would never go away are actually disappearing/lessening as my skin renews itself I guess.
I would also advise against not wasting any more money on products... at least for me, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING worked... I did it all just like you -- clays, drugstore stuff, etc. plus tried ten of Matia's herbal things she said worked for everyone else... I think my skin was my main eliminative channel and it didn't matter what I put on b/c it was coming from the inside and had to get out. That said I continued and sometimes still do putting things on a pimple that I know won't make a damn bit of difference just b/c I want to feel some element of control over it.
So I tooooootally get it, totally understand -- it's your face, you have no control, you can't hide it, other ppl stare, etc. etc. And I honestly felt very alone b/c I couldn't find too many other patients suffering w/ it as horribly as me. It's awful but keep focused on the future that it WILL go away, that this is temporary, and you will look back on this time and be so happy it is over. Doesn't really help in the moment b/c you just want the god awful things to go away this minute, but hang onto that in the back of your mind to get you through, b/c it does feel like it'll never stop. And you will have so much more empathy for anyone who looks different in any way b/c they couldn't choose their appearance and it's not who they really are anyhow.
getting rid of the scars they can be lessened but not while your in treatment . The thing is not to let yoruself get anymore scars don't touch them. deep peels with microderm and then putting the scar treatment after will lessen these scars quite a bit but i don't recomend getting peels now. I have treated some serious scaring in my practice and I do have to say it can get better but it is going to take a LOT of work and what you do now is really important. The thing is to stop touching your face.
Thanks Lisa, you're a darling!!
"And you will have so much more empathy for anyone who looks different in any way b/c they couldn't choose their appearance and it's not who they really are anyhow."
That is so true!! I totally feel compassionate for others now.
What were the herbal things Matia said worked for other? Did you buy herbs or did you put stuff topically?
HELP!
I'll tell you the ones she suggested that I remember, listed in order of strength, but remember it didn't help me a lick. (Prior to these I'd tried all the drugstore & Sephora varieties with no luck.)
Goldenseal, Mega/Bifido w/ a little water, Neem seed oil
Ching Wan Hung soothing herbal balm (I think for acne & scars)
Zheng Gu Shui -- much stronger, the next step up. (for esp. deep/big pimples)
Both of these are essentially menthol, like deep heat for muscles, so I don't really get what they have to do w/ acne, though she said she uses them for such.
For scars, she told me to try dermae Scar Gel. Didn't help, in fact seemed to make me break out around the area I put it so I stopped.
speaking from an estheticians point of view. DO NOT PICK them your only going to make them worse if you pick them I know you want to squeeze them very badly because they are staring you in the face but really what is worse a zit that goes a way or a scar for life. Now your pores have 750 pores per square inch so every time you go and squeeze you are pushing just into the next one. There is a proper way to do this when you get a facial they are trained not to damage your skin.
Now if your cleansing through your skin yes your right it is going to keep on happening there isn't much you can do and even I with my extensive traning can't stop it now because this is a slow process. If it were just a matter of cleansing the liver then it would be all clear in a month. Our liver has to filter all this nonsense non stop that we are cleansing and building. Using a clear non fragrance cleanser is best for acne and I know Matia says to use the jojoba oil on your face bc it' IC friendly but it's not acne friendly and where you need a moisturizer or your pores will over compensate and just make more oil because they are actually dry not oily I don't have the answer to an ic friendly cream for the face quite yet but I am trying to look and get something approved.
I put a little fine salt on my soap and use a wash cloth every time. BTW Matia used to approve me getting microderm when i was in school for this. I never faired I didn't get a peel or anything with it just micro. They will want to do a facial on you so if you find a place that is organic or that will agree to use some of your product that might be an option. Another thing I put the goldenseal on my face just before my cycle it seems to help some and when i have a big one to get rid of I put the mega with some water on it. I let it sit over night.
If your going to squeeze it please do so after you have taken a shower and put tissue on each finger. DO NOT stab it or use too much force. you want to wrap the tissue around your two index fingers and don't point them inward but along side the pimple. Now strech the skin outward and roll your fingers under it while pushing it up. you don't need to get the whole thing out just enough to give it air. Once it releases some stop do not make it bleed. then put the goldenseal on top or the mega your choice and let it sit there.
That is the best advise i can give with out doing some sort of skype class about extractions but i really would refrain all together from this.
I hope the acne isn't painfull and if it is i would make friends with a local esthetician so that she or he can remove them for you with out causing further damage to your skin. Explain your condition and have them work with you as far as treatments.
Thanks Nicole! Your advice is so valuable, I promise I am going to keep my hands off of my face! I mean, I knew this, but because you explained it so well, you totally convinced me.
So... I was on the internet doing a search and I found out about some things, but I am unsure if they will be ok for IC.
To be completely honest, products don't cause flares for me... unless perhaps there is a cumulative factor that I am unaware of. But I don't notice my bladder acting up let's say, 30-60 minutes after applying my stuff. I am careful to not use crap, or toxic stuff (although I have been desperate in the past and have used stuff to clear my complexion, but didn't physically suffer from that...) so in general, my cosmetics are pretty clean.
So here goes,
HONEY: "Honey is one of the best natural acne fighting ingredients. This is because honey actually kills the bacterium that causes acne. You can apply pure honey to your problem pimples after thoroughly cleansing your skin. "
Sounds great... I actually used to put honey on my face in the days when I had nice skin, and it really made it soft, even, etc. The only question is: since we are not allowed to ingest honey, are we allowed to put it on our skin? Will this somehow feed the yeast or something?
HONEY AND CINNAMON: "To make pimples disappear forever mix 3 tablespoons of honey with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Apply the paste as a spot treatment wherever you have a pimple just before bed. Leave it on over night and rinse it off in the morning."
Now, how about making a honey-sea salt scrub. I mean, if we were to wash it off, then it wouldn't be so bad right? I wonder about a honey-sea salt-lavendar EO scrub... hmmm
GARLIC: "If you want your pimples to disappear without leaving an embarrassing acne scar behind, then simply rub fresh garlic on and around your pimples morning and night. This is said to not only reduce the inflammation of a pimple but it also prevents a red mark from forming."
Now, garlic, we are allowed, right? I mean, the smell... ugh. Love it when I am cooking, but on my face. Isn't this social suicide? Besides, it seams to me like this is loads of rubbish. I've tried that in the past and it actually irritated my skin more. What to believe these days?
Also, lemon juice is said to help fade acne scars. Now, would that be a big NO-NO for us?
I wonder....
The thing is, all these things are natural and rather cheap. And I have a face to save! I don't have any of these ingredients in my house anymore (except garlic, so I can start that tonight) Just imagine, garlic toner :-)
Ok, so I will stop blabbering now, just wanted to keep this thread alive, for all of you who are suffering from the "not-so-invisible" disease.
I somehow doubt the honey will feed the yeast but I don't think it will be effective enough for cobating the type of acny your having.
The salt vs honey the reason I prefer salt as a scrub is that not only does it have abrasion but it will also aid in the bacteria.
garlic is great yes it works but it will trun your face red and may flair your bladder more then eating it it is very strong and i would only do this if your bladder is doing well.
THe garlic will actually act as a natural peel if you look up homade peels you will see all about this. I would only do this once every 3 weeks and just before your period is best. if your cystic you could do it once a week. Just know it may speed the process up and you could actually see more acny esp at first. the goldenseal will just help control and kill what is already at bay. The reason is when you do a peel your bringing up the new to the serface at a faster rate and if your cleasing this will just continue. Now this in my opinon is good for the IC cleansing but maybe not for your self estem.
you can also buy sulfer and mix a llittle with water dab on your spots this will dry them out like a vaccume you only want to use this on really oily acne this means the kind that looks like a pimple not the kind sitting under the skin or white heads or black heads. There is dry acne and wet acne and they both are treated different. IF you want to talk more about it with me you can also hit the contact botton and I will be glad to help.
Also you can make your own toners with wich hazle and some lavender essential oil. IF matia says it's ok then eucalyptus oil is best for acne. I know she did talk about essential oil last meeting and said she needs to approve per case for this.
Thanks Nicole, again. You are really helpful. Actually, I might take you up on your invitation and send you a message!
I will keep you all posted about my results.
hugs
After reading yours & Nicole's last post, I'll add....
I tried all the Internet supposed natural cures -- honey, lemon juice, clay, sulfur, essential oil toners, etc.... nothing worked. Also, scrubbing w/ salt, even lightly, on my skin is way too abrasive, just inflames everything. Have read that any type of scrubbingis no good on acneic skin but I'm no esthetician.
Yesterday I tried garlic on my face. It wasn't too eventful, perhaps a little peeling, but mostly, it is just smells really strong for little effect. I do not recommend it.
Today, I've tried lemon and I've tried honey. I think I am going to continue with these two for a while. I use the lemon juice as a toner and dilute it in water a little bit (2 parts lemon for 1 part water) and I just put honey all over my face sparing my eyes and mouth. I leave the honey for as long as i can tolerate it. I also repeat during the day.
The lemon was not organic, but my honey is raw, from the health food store.
I have much less inflammation and the skin that is not full of acne really loves this. The acne has not reacted badly, I think it is a little less red.
Only the first day though, so I will add more tomorrow or in a few days.
Happy to be your guinea pig!!
going through some crazy stress right now things are really bad and I just need to sort some crap out and then i will write more on the subject.
Anyone have success with liquid Goldenseal with alcohol in it?Matia suggested that I try this, rubbing it on pimples.... But I don't want to place an extra order at iherb and have it shipped to Europe if it won't work...
thanks!
did not work for me. Just made me look like I had jaundice -- hah!
I mixed Mario Badescu Healing Mask with aloe vera gel, made a paste and put it as an overnight mask. It helps calm everything down.
Don't think I will get the liquid Goldenseal...
i woudn't buy the extra goldenseal personally and sorry it's taken me so long theres so much going on in my life it's hard t write. I had written earlier but it erased and I will get it up again as soon as possible.
Queen Helen Mint Julep Mask works. I've been puting it on twice a day, and moisturizing with Emu Oil and this really helped my skin. The bumps are almost all gone.
I'm still trying to heal the scars though... any thoughts?
squeezes Keren, lol!
not the pimples I hope.
On the up side, I have been asked numerous times if I was over 18, lately when I had my ears pierced (I'm 28). haha, I do look like a teenager.
ugh :-)