All about SKIN and Isotretinoin Update

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

This would be for my personal records but on January 26, 2010, it would be my 9th month OFF Isotretinoin (Acnetrex) - A potent drug that I took for my nasty zitz last June 2008 till April 26, 2009.

Link to my Isotretinoin History

Consumed 22 boxes and 8 more tabs.

Around late August, I felt my skin was breaking out one by one and I noticed that it only occurs when I am stressed and with no sleep. Its also probably due to the fact that I also stopped putting Adapalene (cause I was stubborn and lazy)

I had another dermatologist by this time because I relocated to the province (But I had no intentions of leaving my previous derm in Makati) so this 2nd derm told me that I have to take more of this drug cause I am complaining for occasional zits. Still haven't decided until now if I will take another course (in lesser quantity)

Then I had my first diamond peel around September. Then another diamond peel before October. Results are satisfactory! Now I can put make up flawlessly. But I need to do more to remove the scars completely. I stopped the diamond peel because I want to visit my 1st derm about my diamond peel procedure. Which until now I havent done yet due to uhh delayed scheduling heehee.

PS. I think it will take me until January 19 to visit Makati again so I will just go and have another diamond peel by Tuesday.

Before the diamond peel I’ve tried several cleansers like Dessert Essence and VMV Superskin 3. But I still stick to Cetaphil until this time.

My regimen during the diamond peel is:

Morning: Clindamycin (spot treatment), Olay White Radiance Old Formula SPF 19

Evening: Adapalene, Whitening Cream (from 1st derm)

When I continued Adapalene and Clindamycin, my zits have improved.

And my regimen at the moment is:

Cleanser: Cetaphil

Morning: *Clindamycin + VMV Sunblock from Superskin 3

Evening: *VMV Superskin 3 Toner (every other day) + Whitening Cream

I dont use the Adapalene anymore cause I want to finish the VMV Toner.

For the (*) asterisk, I dont put them everyday. I have to check my face if it feels sensitive and burning, I stop at least a day until I feel like I can continue putting them again to my face.

Sometimes, I use Apple Cider Vinegar when I feel like I want to rest off chemical products and needed some natural remedies.

Definitely Sunblock is my #1 protection and I cannot bear to remove it to my regimen. Avoiding the sun is a must!

I still get zits like 1 or 2 once in a while but they are controllable. And I notice that I only breakout after putting make up for 8 hrs with no washing of face OR a day/week/month of NO QUALITY SLEEP and POOR DIET.

Oh by the way, I am a semi vegetarian since November of 2008. I rarely have red meat in my diet. I eat brown rice and I drink water a lot. Although I love eating sweets, they are only in small amounts.

And I am also particular with the products I use to my face, hair and skin. If I use a certain hair product, I avoid those with strong fragrances. I also test at least a day to two weeks if its compatible to my face. My hair currently likes the products of Shine Moist (Shampoo and Hair Wax Treatment-NOT the color treated one) and Citre Shine (Conditioner). For my skin, seems like AVEENO loves me because it keeps my skin moisturized and it doesn't give me any zits at all. And as much as possible with cosmetic products particularly with the foundation and face powder, I use hypoallergenic ones like VMV/ Clinique/ Laura Mercier. But with the eye shadow, ELF is ok. Its better to be safe for the foundations and face powders because you put a lot of these on your face as compared to the eye shadows.

Link to the history of my Skin Allergy and Eczema is below which is already cured now (they really crack like el nino).

I don't like to complicate much my skin regimen. If do, then I will be stressed out and as I have said, stress gives me ZITS. :)

xoxo

[Beauty on a Budget] Olive Oil and Egg Mask for Hair

I'm having a bad hair yesterday and my hair is obviously crying out for a treatment. I still have my Shine Moist Henna Wax with me but after trying it for the third time, I think my skin already said stop cause it has been reacting badly with it. (ring: breakouts and itchiness in the scalp)

My skin and hair is begging for an organic hot oil treatment.

That's the time I headed to the grocery store to buy Olive Oil.

This is not the first time I have used Olive Oil for my hair. Its actually a life saver for me few years ago because I, on a very unfortunate event of my life had experience lice. Yes you've read that right, head lice. Got it from using the comb of my infected niece. That was acutally a worst time because they really itch and they are creepy and not to mention the embarrasment from people. Well over the counter products didnt help me at all UNTIL I found Olive Oil and it saved me from these creepy crawlers.

So we move on, shall we?

Olive oil is moisturizing and the benefits are impressive. I shall not be redundant with the benefits because Google will help you do that but overall, the Vitamin E you receive from consuming and applying Olive Oil is a wonderful hair and skin remedy.

Egg is rich in protein which our hair greatly needs. Especially for girls experiencing hair falls. It is equally as good as Olive oil when moisturizing the hair. The yolk is where the protein is.

Both of these adds volume, shine and manageability. Here are the steps in making a homemade hot oil treatment AKA Olive Oil and Egg Hair Mask

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1. Mix 2 Eggs and 4 tablespoons of Olive Oil in a cup. (I unfortunately used one cause thought it wasn’t enough but I was wrong. My hair is really thick!)

 
2. Optional: Add a pinch of cinnamon (lol I dont know why I put it but I read it somewhere that its also good haha)

 
3. Apply into damp hair. (Almost 75% dry) and massage into the scalp.
4. Wear a turban, or a towel to protect it from dripping.

5. Let it rest for 15 mins. Do your chores, do your oDesk job to be preoccupied.

6. Optional: Wash it with 2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar dissolved in half liter of water.
7. Wash again with a light shampoo. Don’t massage thoroughly as it will wash away the moisture from the mask. 
8. Your choice to Blow Dry or Air Dry. Natural is better, imho.

The results?

It's a saved one from being dry, limp and unmanageable hair. It feels light and bouncy. The strands look thick and coated making it shiny.

The Apple Cider Vinegar is essential because I left the mask for an hour and the acid in apple cider will help it wash away the mixture. The funny part is, I noticed a cooked egg white in one part of my strands ahaha. No worries cause it was washed away after shampooing. Apple Cider Vinegar is conditioning too and gives a shine into the hair.

It didn’t smell. Remember, the ingredients will smell only if you put too much.

Definitely will try this again! :)

xoxo

What I bought today

I was at Robinsons Galleria today and here are the things that I bought…

SAIZEN (A Japanese shop for 85 PHP per item)

1. Hair Cutter – PHP 85.00

Perfect to remove all those unruly hair or split ends. It comes with two blades. So its replaceable.

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2. Clear Case b6 Size – PHP 85.00

To organize my notebook and tissues as well as other essentials.

3. Vinyl Pouch Fruit Yellow – PHP 85.00

I replaced my old kikay kits. Love the juicy color. :)

ROBINSONS DEPARTMENT STORE

1. Shine Moist Henna Wax in Chocolate Brown Color – 214.75

For my monthly fix. Cant wait to use this tomorrow.

2. Shine Moist Henna Wax Treatment – 94.75

For my weekly treatment. I want to preserve my rebond hehe minus the salon fee.

3. Gloves and a brush applicator for Shine Moist Henna Wax – 29.75 and 16.75.

4. Black Beauty Protect Hair Moisturizer with UV protection – PHP 60.50

Good when going outdoors and after ironing or blow drying.

Toodles x.