Tag Archives: skin diary

Skin Diary: Embracing Your Scars

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As the title says, today I’m gonna write about embracing our scars. Or rather acne scars.
After combating acne, we are always happy to see the swell go down, no more pus, no more swollen zits. But now, we are faced with something more stubborn. The red marks left from the acne. And now it’s the battle with the scars. Piling up concealer to cover up, or using products trying to get rid of them. But beware, some of these products actually thinned the skin rather then removing the marks.

What should we do about the scars then?

Embrace them, better scars than acne. Scars takes time to heal and slowly they will fade away as new skin cells grow and we remove the dead skin cells properly. We should not let the scars affect our confidence no matter how irritating they are. I’m more than happy to see the scar there as compared to a bursting zit.

Acne scars are also the evidence that we got rid of those troublesome acne. No need to fret over the swells, thinking of what to use so that they will go off. No need to worry about the zits bursting when you’re out. Scars just stay there doing nothing till it’s time for them to go.

Here’s some tips to say goodbye to the scars/redness asap.

- Exfoliation at least once a week. (For proper removal of dead skin cells)

- Using sunblock at all time. (Do you know that even the light rays emitted from our laptops are harmful?)

- Having ample sleep. (Tried and tested. I observed that redness goes down when I have a good sleep and it gets worse if I did not have enough rest.)

- Embrace your scars. (Don’t let the scars stress you out! Stress is one of the main reasons for skin problems!)

Hope this is useful!

XOXO,

Joyce.Forensia

My Skin Diary: Prescription Medicines

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I’m quite a healthy baby from young. Hardly went to the doctors for fever, flu or anything. But my acne was so serious till one point that my mum can’t stand it and brought me to the doctors. That was back in 2007. My acne problems started after I ended my ‘O’ levels in 2006.

So I went to the doctors and was give a lotion plus antibiotics. My acne was cured, got back clear skin but it only lasted for a few months. Acne started appearing again. At first it was minor then I started internship and stress adds on the the mess on my face. So it was back to the doctors and I was given Accutane. I was on it for four months and it did help clear the mess.

And the cycle continues! >< It was only until recently that the acne clears up only with occasional 2 or 3 zits popping out which I can handle.

 

Here’s some of the medicines that I still have and still using when my acne comes up. First box is a gel for acne, 2nd box is a topical antibiotic, given to me to replace my oral antibiotics. Third box is actually a cream for scars.

 

This is Nimengen, another brand of Accutane. It’s actually called Isotreitinion, similar to Vitamin A. This is the medicine that causes me side effects like dry lips, night blindness etc. It’s also can cause birth defects and the effects of the medicine stays in the bloodstream for about half a year or so even after stopping.

I would say that these medicines helps in clearing up the skin to a certain extend. But it does not kill the roots of the problem. It stops the bacteria from surfacing up to the skin surface.

If you have a very serious case of acne till the extend that it hurts, I would definitely recommend you to go to the doctors. Once it tone down the acne, complement it with a good skincare routine. Our diet and sleeping habits does affect too, and I will touch on that in another post.

For those who are curious about the price of the medicines, Isotreitinion pills can cost up to $2 -3 per pill and you will normally have to take it for at least 4 months which equals to one treatment. That will amount up to about $300 for just the pills itself not counting consultation. Gels, creams, lotions given ranges from $20 to $40. It depends on your condition to see what the doctor prescribe you with.

Hope this helps!

XOXO,

Joyce.Forensia

My Skin Diary: Acne

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I’ve decided to start a series of post titled My Skin Diary. Having acne problems since 16, I have done a lot to battle acne. Acne has been a big problem to me and it’s also one of the factors that makes me start beauty blogging.

I don’t really have old photos of myself when i was 16 but I do have photos of my bad acne lying around in my hard disk.

Instead of disgusting you all with the acne photos, I decided to do just a collage.

As you can see from the collage, it shows the condition of my skin with and without makeup. Acne was still obvious with makeup.

You can see the bumps, the redness around the cheeks. Or mainly the bumps! Oh, you don’t know how I hated those bumps!

There was a time where my acne problem is so bad that the bumps are like red, swollen and it hurts with a touch!

 

Here’s a closer look. I purposely sharpen the photo so that you can see the bumps clearly! This was taken back in 2009 when I just started beauty blogging for like 3 or 4 months. This is with makeup, so it’s actually a lot worse when make up is removed.

I admit that near the beginning, I made the mistake by trying to cover up the acne with loads of makeup. Piling on concealer and foundation like it’s free. What’s worst is that my techniques at that time wasn’t really good and I did not manage to conceal them properly. It was until much later when I realized that I am putting too much on the acne that I ditched the concealer and used only powder. I should concentrate on skin care rather then just covering with makeup.

Makeup can only covers the acne temporarily and will not get rid of it. We have to work from the skin care, the diet, and a lot of other factors to clear the acne.

Putting on makeup is like painting on a canvas. If your canvas is bumpy and uneven, your painting will not be smooth not matter how much paint you use. But if your canvas is clean and smooth, the least amount of paint can create the best painting.

I’ve done many things to battle my acne. Using different acne related skin care, going to the doctors. Many things and tips which I will slowly share in My Skin Diary posts.

 

Here’s photos of me bared face. I would say I am rather please with my current complexion. Of course there is still many flaws like black heads, acne scars and slight redness. There’s also slight dark eye circles forming! As one ages, more and more signs will appear on the face. But I’m glad that acne is no longer a big problem to me. I can handle one or two zits at a time. XD

 

Now I just need to work hard to get rid of those scars and black heads. I do have large pores around my cheek area due to my past acne problem too but that don’t bother me much.

And do you know, I am actually using much lesser base makeup now that my skin is so much clearer!

I’m happy to just apply BB cream and powder with a bit of blush on most of the days!

But I do have a lot more skin care products in my routine. :P

That’s all for this post! I do hope this post is helpful in a way!

Do look forward to more Skin Diary posts where I will post more tips and methods that I’ve tried to achieve good skin!

Do comment or drop me an email with any questions with regards to skin care, acne or makeup. I will do my best to answer your questions.

XOXO,

Joyce.Forensia