I have experienced rosacea acne to a greater or lesser extent since my early 20's, whilst at university. This was sometime around 1998. At first, I ignored it, too busy with the fun of being a design student. No doubt my lifestyle exacerbated the condition, consuming alcohol, taking recreational drugs and eating unhealthily.
I have never been overly preoccupied with my appearance or skincare. wearing little make- up and using nothing special for skincare products. I was blessed with good skin, a reasonable bone structure and looks, so it was never a concern to me.
My first port of call at that time was the college doctor, and I was given Minulet a contraceptive pill. I stopped taking it within a few months, as I attributed it to my grumpy mood swings. I don't recall the effect on my skin, but I do remember the bad moods!
At the age of 24 (1999) I was diagnosed with depression, following the break up of a relationship, a house move and struggling with debts and work issues. I took Prozac for 6 months, and it changed my life. For the first time I felt calmer, less anxious, able to deal with life. My skin was also cleared, I felt beautiful and happy. I had counselling therapy, which I found really useful as well.
I do remember around this time (2000) being given creams by my doctor for my skin, perhaps after the Prozac effect had worn off, they were 2 creams to mix together, and I kept them in the fridge. I can't remember the names - but i'm fairly certain that at this stage it was the acne that was my biggest problem. I bit of flushing I could deal with, but the acne just killed me. The cream was astringent, I suspect it was Hydrocortisone and i just has a sixth sense that it was the wrong thing to do. I gave up on it.
I was aware of the improvement that Antibiotics could achieve, but was also strongly against taking an antibiotic on a regular basis. they played havoc with the digestive system, and in my view were not a viable long term solution.
In 2001 I was recommended to see a therapist in west london at The Alternative Centre Their specialism being skincare, and in particular Excema and Acne. It was here that I became aware of Rosacea Acne as a complaint, and was introduced to alternative therapies using herbs, tinctures and a controlled diet. I was given a diet plan, with foods to avoid. (listed elsewhere) and some tinctures were made for me based on a food sensitivity test that I was given. My diligence with the diet and products I think had a positive effect. I was happy with this treatment for a while, although expensive. I was also introduced to Collodial silver by The Alternative Centre, a versatile anti bacterial solution that could taken orally or ingested.
As with many restrictive regimes, over time they can be eroded by ones lifestyle, and circumstances. My discipline with the diet tailed off, and when the tinctures ran out, I didn't renew them. I kept some of the basic principles, but found it hard to forego alcohol and tea and coffee. I knew the effect, I could feel them, I was very aware but it didn't stop me consuming many of the things I knew I should avoid.
After a brief spell trying out Chinese medicine, which got me nowhere, I was suffering badly with my skin again in 2004. I turned to a company I had read about in a Sunday Supplement, The Sher System who are sadly no longer trading. I had a consultation in their Bond Street offices with Helen Sher, and was given a range of simple to use skincare products that were for my skin type. there was a petroleum based cleanser, a face wash and a face oil. Along with the usual diet advice, a bottle of Collodial silver and a tube of Calendula cream, I applied myself to the new regime with a fresh enthousiasm. There was a transition phase as I started the new products, rendering my skin extremely dry and flaky, but I perservered and was rewarded with beautiful smooth non spotty and non red skin. It was a revelation, and I was elated. I stuck with Sher products for years. The diet has had its ups and downs, but whenever I had a flare up, I went back to the start, diligently following the regime, and cleared my skin.
Although Sher closed their business in 2011, I had already started experimenting with new products. Neal's Yard Remedies and Avene both make excellent natural and hypoallergenic products that I found to work for me. Some of the products i had discovered were on Helen Shers list of 'replacement items' published at the close of her business.
So I trundle along with my unscientific trial and error approach to skincare, and today find myself suffering increasingly with the condition that has coloured almost 20 years of my life. I am 40 next year, and will be getting married. Its time to find some fresh resolutions...
I have never been overly preoccupied with my appearance or skincare. wearing little make- up and using nothing special for skincare products. I was blessed with good skin, a reasonable bone structure and looks, so it was never a concern to me.
My first port of call at that time was the college doctor, and I was given Minulet a contraceptive pill. I stopped taking it within a few months, as I attributed it to my grumpy mood swings. I don't recall the effect on my skin, but I do remember the bad moods!
At the age of 24 (1999) I was diagnosed with depression, following the break up of a relationship, a house move and struggling with debts and work issues. I took Prozac for 6 months, and it changed my life. For the first time I felt calmer, less anxious, able to deal with life. My skin was also cleared, I felt beautiful and happy. I had counselling therapy, which I found really useful as well.
I do remember around this time (2000) being given creams by my doctor for my skin, perhaps after the Prozac effect had worn off, they were 2 creams to mix together, and I kept them in the fridge. I can't remember the names - but i'm fairly certain that at this stage it was the acne that was my biggest problem. I bit of flushing I could deal with, but the acne just killed me. The cream was astringent, I suspect it was Hydrocortisone and i just has a sixth sense that it was the wrong thing to do. I gave up on it.
I was aware of the improvement that Antibiotics could achieve, but was also strongly against taking an antibiotic on a regular basis. they played havoc with the digestive system, and in my view were not a viable long term solution.
In 2001 I was recommended to see a therapist in west london at The Alternative Centre Their specialism being skincare, and in particular Excema and Acne. It was here that I became aware of Rosacea Acne as a complaint, and was introduced to alternative therapies using herbs, tinctures and a controlled diet. I was given a diet plan, with foods to avoid. (listed elsewhere) and some tinctures were made for me based on a food sensitivity test that I was given. My diligence with the diet and products I think had a positive effect. I was happy with this treatment for a while, although expensive. I was also introduced to Collodial silver by The Alternative Centre, a versatile anti bacterial solution that could taken orally or ingested.
As with many restrictive regimes, over time they can be eroded by ones lifestyle, and circumstances. My discipline with the diet tailed off, and when the tinctures ran out, I didn't renew them. I kept some of the basic principles, but found it hard to forego alcohol and tea and coffee. I knew the effect, I could feel them, I was very aware but it didn't stop me consuming many of the things I knew I should avoid.
After a brief spell trying out Chinese medicine, which got me nowhere, I was suffering badly with my skin again in 2004. I turned to a company I had read about in a Sunday Supplement, The Sher System who are sadly no longer trading. I had a consultation in their Bond Street offices with Helen Sher, and was given a range of simple to use skincare products that were for my skin type. there was a petroleum based cleanser, a face wash and a face oil. Along with the usual diet advice, a bottle of Collodial silver and a tube of Calendula cream, I applied myself to the new regime with a fresh enthousiasm. There was a transition phase as I started the new products, rendering my skin extremely dry and flaky, but I perservered and was rewarded with beautiful smooth non spotty and non red skin. It was a revelation, and I was elated. I stuck with Sher products for years. The diet has had its ups and downs, but whenever I had a flare up, I went back to the start, diligently following the regime, and cleared my skin.
Although Sher closed their business in 2011, I had already started experimenting with new products. Neal's Yard Remedies and Avene both make excellent natural and hypoallergenic products that I found to work for me. Some of the products i had discovered were on Helen Shers list of 'replacement items' published at the close of her business.
So I trundle along with my unscientific trial and error approach to skincare, and today find myself suffering increasingly with the condition that has coloured almost 20 years of my life. I am 40 next year, and will be getting married. Its time to find some fresh resolutions...
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