Appearance & Realization
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free skin care · Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:11 pm

I've been paying closer attention to my skin than ever before, and really indulging for the first time in admittedly simple essentials, which seem on their way to making a world of difference.

It occurred to me that there have been times in my life where I equated my happiness with the clarity of my skin. I remember one day in my early 20s when I was particularly distraught about some acne & hyper-pigmentation and thinking that if ever my acne cleared up I'd finally be able to live! It was _that_ dramatic a thought. My face did eventually clear up, but I don't know whether I got that joyous, brave feeling I imagined I'd be charged with! I guess it was because it was a back & forth process that happened over time. In any case, now that thought seems a million miles away, and kind of surreal that I was ever in that state.

Anyway, yesterday after picking up some hydroquinone and a sunscreen I'll actually be able to stand using every day it occurred to me that I'm not too far away from an even skin tone, and that with careful attention I may be able to some day achieve *clear* (enough for me, that is) skin. To me that means just being able to comfortably show my face without a cover of powder or foundation. That'd be big for me, having not experienced that since before puberty. I'm amazed that I've come this far.

Reading all these posts from people with serious damage to their skin/features/health (and sometimes to their self-esteem) has made me realize how everyone's standards are different, change from time to time, and impact our lives differently depending on whatever else is going on. I was just wondering whether anyone else had any significant moments they'd be willing to share, when these issues somehow seemed pivotal in their lives and in retrospect seem surprisingly inconsequential.

free skin care · Fri Jan 21, 2011 5:22 pm

LoriA,

I realized recently, I think of myself as someone with bad skin.

I had AWFUL eczema growing up and into my mid-twenties.

When I was younger it was mostly, hands, knees and elbows. (so bad that I lost the fingerprints on half my fingers)When I was in my teens it was mostly around my eyes (where you can't really put cortisone cream) and in my scalp.

In my early/mid twenties, it came back with a vengeance around my eyes.

I still have small scars around my eyes from where it would crack and bleed, scab and then crack again.

I remember doing homework and watching skin flakes fall from my eyes whenever I blinked.

This time, there was a magic new cream that uses immuno-suppressants.

However, now I have pretty even skin, a little dry, and it can get red or blotchy, I get the odd zit and have some small blackheads on my nose.

But really, it's not too bad.

I always thought I'd feel better when my skin wasn't falling off in chunks Wink

but what I've realized is that I still feel like someone whose skin falls off in chunks.

Very odd, and I'm working on it.

free skin care · Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:44 pm

Hey pustekuchen, yes, that's exactly the type of thing I was getting at - sometimes I still feel like that someone too!

I was without a computer for a few days, but I'd wanted to come back and rewrite or ask that the thread by removed since it was somewhat rambling and not very clearly written, so I'm happy you understood. We've all seen those unhappy posts where our hearts just break for people.

I'd been inspired by another user's post, where rockhugger wrote "I try to remind myself that beauty is more about an overall impression than the particular condition of my skin. You might feel better if you try to highlight features that haven't been marred by the scars: hair, eyes, poise, voice, humor, and above all, kindness. "
Lovely.

I also liked the words of a former co-worker who was fretting bitterly about frizz one day and finally conceded that "Yes, I'm more than my hair."

There are times we can all use these reminders - especially those of us waiting for our deliveries, peering into the 8x magnification mirror and frantically posting to eds!

free skin care · Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:55 am

Hi, there!

Thanks for quoting me. Smile

I have to keep reminding myself of this, as my breakouts continue (although it's getting better, and I hope to see the dermatologist again soon). And it really helps to hear the same reminders from my husband and from you all!

Cheers,
Kay

free skin care · Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:25 am

I can totally relate to what you're saying. While I've been blessed with good skin, I have done the same thing when it comes to weight. I can't count the number of times that I see a photo of myself when I know I was feeling like a whale and been surprised when I see a photo of myself. I never look as bad as I think I do.

free skin care · Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:49 pm

I can totally relate to moods and skin. When my pimples and acne was happening, I never realized how unhappy I was.
As a teen, what boy would want to kiss me when my skin is so bad, and it is do true. I didn't want to kiss someone with bad skin. It's ugly!

Now that my skin is a lot better, my confidence went up. I focus on "now" in life and not think about my skin.

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