Dear god I wish I could show this amount of dedication to a diet!.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Growing back my eyebrows week 4
Well this week has just flown! I've been a very good girl and applied the product twice a day. I have to say it!! I have eyebrows now! real one's, hair and every thing. There are still gaps in the brow line I wish were not there and hairs in places that will have to be plucked (wastage!) but overall I'm rather pleased, not hoot and holler pleased but not toss my minoxidil in the bin either. There are only two weeks left of this trial and I don't think it's going to be long enough to achieve the results I want. From what I understand eyebrow hair has a ninety day growth cycle so to see a true result I think I would have to monitor for at least that long. I believe at the end of the six week trial I'll have my brows shaped and pencil in whats missing from the equation and see if I can get those few late comers to arrive at the party within ninety days, still using the minoxidil and biotin.
Dear god I wish I could show this amount of dedication to a diet!.
Dear god I wish I could show this amount of dedication to a diet!.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Growing back my eyebrows week 3
Sigh, this really is taking a long time :( if only it was like that episode of the Simpson's where Homer pulls an insurance scam to get Minoxidil covered on his insurance, you know the one, he wakes up the morning after the first application with a head of long flowing locks. Bloody cartoons! NOT HELPFUL!!!
I am still noticing new growth in my brows, the hairs are very fine and not really filling in the gaps at this stage but I'm hopeful that more will grow. I have resisted the urge to free the tweezers and tidy up around the edges as (like a lawn) hairs are sprouting in less than desirable spots as well. When my six weeks are up I will have them professionally shaped and they can weed out the spares.
I've edited out the rest of my face this week, the closer I bring the camera the worse I look. Can you see a difference yet?
I am still noticing new growth in my brows, the hairs are very fine and not really filling in the gaps at this stage but I'm hopeful that more will grow. I have resisted the urge to free the tweezers and tidy up around the edges as (like a lawn) hairs are sprouting in less than desirable spots as well. When my six weeks are up I will have them professionally shaped and they can weed out the spares.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
growing back my eyebrows week 2
My second week following my brow care regimen has been an interesting one. It's bloody working!!! I have new hairs growing on the tail end of both my brows, and on top as well. A few fine hairs are appearing in the over plucked arch (very excited). I think there looking a bit fuller but then I spend a lot of time gazing at them lately.
I know bad pic, I've got the flu....sniffle
I know bad pic, I've got the flu....sniffle
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Growing back my eyebrows week 1
It has been a fortnight since my last chat but only a week since I have begun on my new eyebrow treatment regimen, (waiting on delivery). Here is what my growth kit looks like.
The minoxidil is a 5% mixture and the label reads not for woman but I've chosen to ignore that ;)
The baby toothbrush is used to apply the product to the brows as I found the brow brush not absorbent enough and a cotton bud to absorbent. I take the biotin twice a day.
Results??? well I have experienced some light peeling in the brows which has lightened my tattooed brows, initially I thought my brows where getting thinner and I have had a little hair breakage.
Happily though I also see some new hair growth, tiny little hairs growing above.
My skin isn't overly pleased with this new toxin, and I have had a couple little itchy pimples on my brow line, but I shall persevere.
Bring on week two and Angelina Jolie eyebrows ;)
The minoxidil is a 5% mixture and the label reads not for woman but I've chosen to ignore that ;)
The baby toothbrush is used to apply the product to the brows as I found the brow brush not absorbent enough and a cotton bud to absorbent. I take the biotin twice a day.
Results??? well I have experienced some light peeling in the brows which has lightened my tattooed brows, initially I thought my brows where getting thinner and I have had a little hair breakage.
Happily though I also see some new hair growth, tiny little hairs growing above.
My skin isn't overly pleased with this new toxin, and I have had a couple little itchy pimples on my brow line, but I shall persevere.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Growing back my eyebrows,
Fashion is an unstable beast, we all at times are guilty of attempting to dance with the monster. In the 90's I did more than dance. I moved the creature in and gave it a room in my life. Having a relationship with fashion does not have to be a life changing event, so you have a few pictures of your self wearing big shoulder pads with your fringe teased into a huge ball held in place by a whole can of hair spray, for the kids to laugh at. Nothing to damaging we all have a giggle, a good time is had by all.
As a high school student with (what I thought) was an incredibly unfashionable mother, all of my fashion tips came from TV. Damn you 21 Jump street! you had me walking around like a complete tool, big hair, odd earrings, torn clothes and pencil thin eyebrows! Yep can't even remember which actor wore them that way but at the time I had to have them.
I wasn't sure how to achieve the look I wanted. so initially I shaved, using the same blade I massacred my legs with, I took to my face with equal zeal. Bit off the top, bit of the sides, a little under there and BAM! pencil eyebrows.
The next day at school an older girl took sympathy on me in the change room after seeing my botch job, she reached into her bag and bought out a pair of tweezers, then with her face one inch from the spotty soap sprayed mirror she demonstrated there use. From this day forward I was hooked! every day I would mange to find a hair or two to remove, though my brows never fully recovered from that first shave.
Now here I am with my forties prancing gleefully in front of me, my tweezers have been stored in the first aid box from whence they came for several years, but my brows have not recovered. It appears eyebrows have a great memory, either that or there to scared to regrow in case they get culled again.
Sigh..... so after a little research, (thank you google gods) I have found some information about how to assist my brows to regrow.
This YouTube video seemed to have the most comprehensive advice, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkjmKVUX-rU
As soon as I finished watching this video I got online and purchased the Biotin 5000mg, minoxidil 5% and nice new eyebrow brush. I intend to document my progress over the next 6 weeks, starting with the oh so scary before photo.
OK, so that's my scary mug and my eyebrows, I must say they don't look to bad :) but to be truly honest they are lightly tattooed.
When the products arrive, I will apply twice a day, and take the supplements.
After a 7 day period I will take a new pic so we can all see if there is any change. Then again after the next 7 days until we get to the estimated 6 week period.
So here's hoping, while I'm waiting I might check the YouTube video's to see if there's a way of making my nose smaller ;)
As a high school student with (what I thought) was an incredibly unfashionable mother, all of my fashion tips came from TV. Damn you 21 Jump street! you had me walking around like a complete tool, big hair, odd earrings, torn clothes and pencil thin eyebrows! Yep can't even remember which actor wore them that way but at the time I had to have them.
I wasn't sure how to achieve the look I wanted. so initially I shaved, using the same blade I massacred my legs with, I took to my face with equal zeal. Bit off the top, bit of the sides, a little under there and BAM! pencil eyebrows.
The next day at school an older girl took sympathy on me in the change room after seeing my botch job, she reached into her bag and bought out a pair of tweezers, then with her face one inch from the spotty soap sprayed mirror she demonstrated there use. From this day forward I was hooked! every day I would mange to find a hair or two to remove, though my brows never fully recovered from that first shave.
Now here I am with my forties prancing gleefully in front of me, my tweezers have been stored in the first aid box from whence they came for several years, but my brows have not recovered. It appears eyebrows have a great memory, either that or there to scared to regrow in case they get culled again.
Sigh..... so after a little research, (thank you google gods) I have found some information about how to assist my brows to regrow.
This YouTube video seemed to have the most comprehensive advice, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkjmKVUX-rU
As soon as I finished watching this video I got online and purchased the Biotin 5000mg, minoxidil 5% and nice new eyebrow brush. I intend to document my progress over the next 6 weeks, starting with the oh so scary before photo.
When the products arrive, I will apply twice a day, and take the supplements.
After a 7 day period I will take a new pic so we can all see if there is any change. Then again after the next 7 days until we get to the estimated 6 week period.
So here's hoping, while I'm waiting I might check the YouTube video's to see if there's a way of making my nose smaller ;)
Monday, April 2, 2012
VISS Ipl
Monday, March 26, 2012
Free advice for treatment of Melasma and chloasma.
The key to treating melasma or dark pigmented skin spots is perseverance. There are many skin care products out there reporting to rid us of these unsightly marks and all have there merits, but of these some are more effective than others. I have investigated many different products over the years resulting in a skin care regime of which I am experiencing great success, so much so that I have to share.
Step 1. visit your GP or Dermatologist, dermo is better because they can look at your skin under a woods lamp and officially diagnose your skin condition, with this he can tell you how deep the pigment is. The deeper it is the longer it will take to treat but it can be treated! Get a prescription for trenitoin (retin A) cream or gel, also one for Hydroquinone over 3% compounded with kojic acid. Use the trenitoin at night after cleansing, over your whole face (not just the spots) sparingly, more is less. Don't use moisturizer over the top. In the morning after cleansing apply the hydroquinone cream, only to your dark spots. This is like a bleach, it actually stops the skin from producing more melanin, but you only want this where you need it. Apply sparingly as well as it can be quite greasy. After the hydroquinone has soaked in apply a sunscreen/moisturiser at least 30+, this is most important as the trenitoin thins your skin making it susceptible to the sun and the sun will make your pigment issues worse. You can then apply your make up and go about your day.
Budget Buster: http://www.alldaychemist.com/ These guys stock trenitoin and hydroquinone creams at less than half pharmacy prices and no script in necessary. I have made several purchases with them and everything arrives promptly and in good order. Shipping can be expensive so buy in bulk.
After a week or more of following this skin care regime you should be experiencing some skin peeling, maybe some redness even the odd pimple or two, don't panic!! The trenitoin is a vitamin a derived lotion and causes your skin to turn over at a higher rate than normal, this is great for treating aging skin as well as pigmentation, thus why we put it on the entire face, may as well reap the benefits from both. If you find your skin is to sensitive what with peeling and redness, then try using the trenitoin every second night, but don't give up on it. Also avoid harsh cleansers and facial scrubs while the skin is sensitive.
Step 2: Book a skin peel. Most beauticians can recommend a skin peel that will assist with removing pigmentation. In addition to the trenitoin treatment your skin will react very well to peeling. Your dermatologist could recommend which peel is best for your skin type as well, some even offer this service.
A word of caution, often deeper peels can cause more pigmentation, especially if you have darker skin. So chemical peels may not be recommended for darker skin, (such as my own). After your peel your skin may be quite red and stinging, there may even be areas where the skin has been removed. While your skin is tender, for the next few days it is best to cleanse with just water or a very gentle cleanser. I prefer to use an aloe based gel to keep my face moisturised and to prevent scabbing. Tho scabbing will still occur over the next few days, and this will in turn itch. Gently massaging your moisturiser into your skin (or bio oil) will relieve the itching and help to exfoliate away loose scabs. A mask of honey (just normal kitchen honey) is also relieving and assists in the healing process. Do not pick!!! While your skin is healing do not use your trenitoin cream, instead you can use your hydroquinone morning and night until healed.
Step 3. Vitamin supplementation: You are what you eat apparently, and there are many supplements reputed to assist in ridding us of melasma. I can neither dismiss nor approve these claims so supplement I do. A list of these and there uses are here.
MSM- Methylsufonylmethane: 3000mg a day is supposed to rid the body of excess copper
Vitamin c- lowers copper levels
Zinc- lowers copper levels
Coq10- helps cell turn over
Multivitamin- why not I'm already taking everything else!
Pro biotic- stops excess estrogen production in the gut.
Copper in excess in the body is thought to be a contributing factor to Melasma, thus why we supplement against it. Estrogen (hormones) is another cause so we eliminate any that we don't need. Most of these are available at the local pharmacy, I found MSM more difficult to obtain so I ordered a bag in a powder form and some empty capsules and made my own, it has been much more economical though a little time consuming. http://www.msmaustralia.com.au/ this is the local supplier I used. Also I have found MSM useful for treating my arthritis and can easily be made into a cream as well. Some web sites even sell it in eye drops to lighten eye colour.
Step 4: when your skin has recovered from your peel and is no longer sensitive, have a good look at it. You may still have some areas that are a little pink if you scabbed up allot or not. You may even have some areas where your pigment has disappeared, (yay). You can now return to using your trenitoin at night and Hydroquinone in the morning for the remaining dark areas. It was at this stage that I changed my cleansing routine.
Morning: wipe my face over with a facial cleansing wipe, then rinse with water.
Tone with apple cider vinegar, apply hyaluronic acid serum (for wrinkles), allow to sink in,
apply Hydroquinone to spots, allow to sink in. Then 30+ moisturiser and finally make up.
In the evening: remove make up with facial cleansing wipe, massage face with dermalogica precleanse oil.
Wash face with water then cleanse with a gentle vitamin e wash. Tone with apple cider vinegar. Apply serum then trenitoin.
So far so good, this has really worked for me and I know it will for you too. At this stage I am up to my third peel, at a rate of one every month or so and my skin has never been this good. Not just my melasma but the general condition of my skin has improved. I finally look younger a opposed to older :)
Another recommendation is IPL, I have had many professional sessions of ipl and I believe it comparable to a face peel, but the expense is most off putting. Recently I purchased my own IPL machine, it is not the huge thing they use at the salon but rather a small personal model. The unit I purchased comes with the option of hair removal settings and skin rejuvenation settings (all at the change of a bulb). Having darker skin I have been quite cautious in it's use so far for skin rejuvenation. The hair removal option is wonderful and I have put it through it's paces but I am being a little more careful with my face as I don't wish to go back wards at this stage. http://vissbeauty.com/ here is the site I purchased mine from. It only took 5 days to arrive which is amazing for international post I thought, especially since shipping was free.
Good luck and stay tuned as I have a swag of products I have trialed and will be trialing not only for melasma but general skin care as well, that I want you to hear about.
Step 1. visit your GP or Dermatologist, dermo is better because they can look at your skin under a woods lamp and officially diagnose your skin condition, with this he can tell you how deep the pigment is. The deeper it is the longer it will take to treat but it can be treated! Get a prescription for trenitoin (retin A) cream or gel, also one for Hydroquinone over 3% compounded with kojic acid. Use the trenitoin at night after cleansing, over your whole face (not just the spots) sparingly, more is less. Don't use moisturizer over the top. In the morning after cleansing apply the hydroquinone cream, only to your dark spots. This is like a bleach, it actually stops the skin from producing more melanin, but you only want this where you need it. Apply sparingly as well as it can be quite greasy. After the hydroquinone has soaked in apply a sunscreen/moisturiser at least 30+, this is most important as the trenitoin thins your skin making it susceptible to the sun and the sun will make your pigment issues worse. You can then apply your make up and go about your day.
Budget Buster: http://www.alldaychemist.com/ These guys stock trenitoin and hydroquinone creams at less than half pharmacy prices and no script in necessary. I have made several purchases with them and everything arrives promptly and in good order. Shipping can be expensive so buy in bulk.
After a week or more of following this skin care regime you should be experiencing some skin peeling, maybe some redness even the odd pimple or two, don't panic!! The trenitoin is a vitamin a derived lotion and causes your skin to turn over at a higher rate than normal, this is great for treating aging skin as well as pigmentation, thus why we put it on the entire face, may as well reap the benefits from both. If you find your skin is to sensitive what with peeling and redness, then try using the trenitoin every second night, but don't give up on it. Also avoid harsh cleansers and facial scrubs while the skin is sensitive.
Step 2: Book a skin peel. Most beauticians can recommend a skin peel that will assist with removing pigmentation. In addition to the trenitoin treatment your skin will react very well to peeling. Your dermatologist could recommend which peel is best for your skin type as well, some even offer this service.
A word of caution, often deeper peels can cause more pigmentation, especially if you have darker skin. So chemical peels may not be recommended for darker skin, (such as my own). After your peel your skin may be quite red and stinging, there may even be areas where the skin has been removed. While your skin is tender, for the next few days it is best to cleanse with just water or a very gentle cleanser. I prefer to use an aloe based gel to keep my face moisturised and to prevent scabbing. Tho scabbing will still occur over the next few days, and this will in turn itch. Gently massaging your moisturiser into your skin (or bio oil) will relieve the itching and help to exfoliate away loose scabs. A mask of honey (just normal kitchen honey) is also relieving and assists in the healing process. Do not pick!!! While your skin is healing do not use your trenitoin cream, instead you can use your hydroquinone morning and night until healed.
Step 3. Vitamin supplementation: You are what you eat apparently, and there are many supplements reputed to assist in ridding us of melasma. I can neither dismiss nor approve these claims so supplement I do. A list of these and there uses are here.
MSM- Methylsufonylmethane: 3000mg a day is supposed to rid the body of excess copper
Vitamin c- lowers copper levels
Zinc- lowers copper levels
Coq10- helps cell turn over
Multivitamin- why not I'm already taking everything else!
Pro biotic- stops excess estrogen production in the gut.
Copper in excess in the body is thought to be a contributing factor to Melasma, thus why we supplement against it. Estrogen (hormones) is another cause so we eliminate any that we don't need. Most of these are available at the local pharmacy, I found MSM more difficult to obtain so I ordered a bag in a powder form and some empty capsules and made my own, it has been much more economical though a little time consuming. http://www.msmaustralia.com.au/ this is the local supplier I used. Also I have found MSM useful for treating my arthritis and can easily be made into a cream as well. Some web sites even sell it in eye drops to lighten eye colour.
Step 4: when your skin has recovered from your peel and is no longer sensitive, have a good look at it. You may still have some areas that are a little pink if you scabbed up allot or not. You may even have some areas where your pigment has disappeared, (yay). You can now return to using your trenitoin at night and Hydroquinone in the morning for the remaining dark areas. It was at this stage that I changed my cleansing routine.
Morning: wipe my face over with a facial cleansing wipe, then rinse with water.
Tone with apple cider vinegar, apply hyaluronic acid serum (for wrinkles), allow to sink in,
apply Hydroquinone to spots, allow to sink in. Then 30+ moisturiser and finally make up.
In the evening: remove make up with facial cleansing wipe, massage face with dermalogica precleanse oil.
Wash face with water then cleanse with a gentle vitamin e wash. Tone with apple cider vinegar. Apply serum then trenitoin.
So far so good, this has really worked for me and I know it will for you too. At this stage I am up to my third peel, at a rate of one every month or so and my skin has never been this good. Not just my melasma but the general condition of my skin has improved. I finally look younger a opposed to older :)
Another recommendation is IPL, I have had many professional sessions of ipl and I believe it comparable to a face peel, but the expense is most off putting. Recently I purchased my own IPL machine, it is not the huge thing they use at the salon but rather a small personal model. The unit I purchased comes with the option of hair removal settings and skin rejuvenation settings (all at the change of a bulb). Having darker skin I have been quite cautious in it's use so far for skin rejuvenation. The hair removal option is wonderful and I have put it through it's paces but I am being a little more careful with my face as I don't wish to go back wards at this stage. http://vissbeauty.com/ here is the site I purchased mine from. It only took 5 days to arrive which is amazing for international post I thought, especially since shipping was free.
Good luck and stay tuned as I have a swag of products I have trialed and will be trialing not only for melasma but general skin care as well, that I want you to hear about.
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