Beauty Tips For Body Care
Hi all, I hope this is the right place and time to share the whirlwind of my dermatologist appointment.My skin is pale with freckles, I don't take for granted the fact that I've gotten compliments about how "clear" my skin was. Prior to starting oral contraceptives when I was 16, I had chest acne, but that went away on the pill, and remained acne-free for a period of time. Before I graduated high-school, I didn't have any skincare routine and would barely wash my face and never wore makeup, and it worked out pretty well for me.In my late teens and early 20s I worked in the restaurant/bar setting and was required to wear makeup, and smoked cigarettes. My skin was like a window into my full physical health and wasn't terrible but you can't expect pristine skin in that scenario.Then into my mid-20's, I quit smoking (yay!), finished school and got out of the bar and party scene. It is important to me to transform into makeup-free. I didn't wear much to begin with, but I wanted my bare skin to look the best. This is when I started looking into skincare products. I have dabbled in a little bit of everything, and try to improve it along the way.My main persistent issue is redness. The skin on my nose is so sensitive, it is like prolonged blushing, once the skin is red it is impossible to tame. It can be heat, cold, physical activity, physical touch. People have told me I look like I have a cold or have been blowing my nose, and I tell them it is just the way my skin is.I'm a nurse so I google-diagnose as much as the best of them, and have started calling it rosacea just to explain to people what I felt it was. Recently, when the constant mask wearing began with Covid-19 I really couldn't handle it anymore. I think that is the straw that broke the camel's back and I finally decided to meet with a dermatologist to get their help.It was through SkyMD and covered by my insurance and I was very pleased with the experience. The MD and I could message back and forth and honestly he felt more available than if we were in a clinic setting and I forgot what I wanted to ask until after an MD left the room.Quotes from his evaluation:I want to stress to keep your skin adequately moisturized but only with an oil-free product such as Cerave or Cetaphil, as you have very sensitive skin that needs extra protectionNight-time glycolic acid: too irritating and should be stopped. Would be used for anti-aging that you do not need now.Marcula oil: this oil is known to worsen rosacea and acne and should not be usedAHA/BHA/PHA exfoliant: these irritate the skin and do not help rosacea and should be stopped. They are for anti-aging treatment.I request that you minimize your face routine and start cutting anything out that could be irritating to your face. You should only be using a gentle face cleanser and an oil free gentle sunscreen. Masks, toners, and most moisturizers will worsen rosacea.Topical regimen that I would like you to use:Wash your face with a gentle cleanser such as Cerave, Cetaphil, or Dove Sensitive Skin Soap or Liquid twice a day. Cerave AM, Cerave PM, or Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotions are acceptable moisture products but only to be used when needed.Prescription Finacea at least once a day, preferably at night.Prescription clindamycin at least once a day in AM after gentle cleansing. It will work better if applied twice a day if you wish to try that.Rhofade can be applied in the morning for temporary reduction of redness and used when needed but it does not provide long term benefits.Use a sensitive skin moisturizer, but only if you need it and don't use unless your skin is actually dry.Eliminate any sunscreens, lotions, face washes, etc. that you are currently using if they are not for sensitive skin and fragrance free.Wear the Cerave AM, EltaMD UV clear or similar sunscreen daily. You can stay with your favorite sunscreen if you are sure it is oil free. Titanium and zinc based sunscreens are best. Avoid chemical sunscreens, active ingredients should say zinc and/or titanium only, some with octinoxate are OK)Some other things to consider because they make rosacea worse:Avoid foods that flare your condition and minimize alcohol consumptionAvoid skincare products containing alcohol, menthol, witch hazel, or fragranceAvoid astringents and exfoliantsThere was a lot more information in the evaluation but I only added the info that is new to me, or a change. I was doing a PM Drunk Elephant glycolic acid and marcula oil, and Glossier AHA/BHA/PHA exfoliant in the AM. Always followed by Clinique moisturizer (not oil free) and sunscreen, most recently Supergoop. The routine was every other day, with the days in between using just the The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% in the AM and PM. I really liked the Azelaic Acid and I'm excited to try 15%.Obviously I should admit that my many skincare routines haven't been working, that's why I sought out a dermatologist. But I didn't expect to be told to full stop and revert to simple. I like my skincare products, and trying new things, and feeling like an alchemist.But rosacea is my biggest problem and I need to focus on that fact alone and never forget it. It just feels like I'm saying no-no to my own personal skincare addiction :( But I'm optimistic for skin that isn't red and inflamed and hot.TL;DR: I learned my current skincare routine is not at all conducive to rosacea and I'm mourning that my years of skincare addiction has maybe been hindering me, and shopping for skincare products isn't going to feel the same or be as exciting.
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by ButterflyApathetic
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