Oy. I Just Googled Proactiv

I'm in my 30's and the acne on my chin is unstoppable. I told my dermatologist: "my zits have zits!" And she understood. But she didn't have much of a solution. Mine seemed to be a hormonal issue. And I couldn't take the pill as a method for regulating my hormones.

I looked up Proactiv, but it seems to be for controling bacteria. And as I noted- mine could be a hormonal issues. This would explain the increased acne around my period, but I do deal with acne all month long. Does this mean my hormones are all over the place, all month long?

More specifically, acne may be precipitated by androgens, male hormones present in both men and women. The oil surplus created by these hormones may be instrumental in clogging hair follicles where bacteria grows and causes acne pimples and blemishes.

Perhaps I will start a slow regimine of benzoyl peroxide and see if it helps. Last time I used something with that in it I got crunchy chin. Looked like crusted over pepperoni pizza. Not a nice image but hey, I talk bluntly about these things.

Adults with acne shouldn't use anti-acne products made for adolescents. These products may strip too much natural oil from their skin. Products containing salicylic acid, which is milder than the benzoyl peroxide found in most products for teens, is a better choice.

That's a good tip. I'll have to toss out the Clearasil. That was causing me some puberty flashbacks anyways.

Maybe I'm allergic to something I'm eating. That's one of the top reasons people over 25 get acne. Crap. It's probably something I really like.

Apple Cider Vinegar is rumored to be a good natural fix for many things. Dabbing a little on the area to kill the bacteria might be worth a try.

So in summary- it could be caused by hormones, it could be a long list of foods, it could be stress, it could be good ol' fashioned dirt. Whatever it is, I am determined to find out.



Source,source

Judy Blume Character as an Adult

I thought, back when I was just a young lass curled up with a Judy Blume book, that there would be a day when I didn't have the same issues that the character's in the book did- self doubt, blemishes, cramps, boy trouble. I related so much to Blume's characters and their struggles, and their abilities to deal with it. But phew! I knew I would grow up and it would be different.

But even in my 30's, I still feel like the awkward teen in Blume's books. Still with self doubt, blemishes, cramps, boy trouble. It makes me want to dig out Deenie, or Blubber, and read it again. Maybe hoping there was some answere at the end of the books.

I hope kids are still reading her books. Perhaps they've been overshadowed by fantasy, science fiction, or acne-free wizards.

Factoid: Judy Blume's birthday was last week on the 12th. She turned 71.

Did you know books like Deenie, were banned? How cool is that?
Ok, not really since it makes our society seem so uncivilized.
But, it makes me feel like I was an edgy teen.


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Fibromyalgia 101

Food

As much as we like comfort food to help us during our tough fibro times, these comfort foods could be adding to the problem. Most comfort food I think of involves carbs and sugar- just the things that could make fibro worse, in my opinion.

You probably know that eating certain foods leads to a drop in your energy level. For thousands of years, Chinese health experts have studied how different kinds of foods affect the health of your body, organ systems, and muscles. In fact, certain foods actually increase the dampness inside the body. Excess dampness can lead to joint and muscle aches, extreme fatigue, and organs systems that do not work efficiently. Sound like many of the classic symptoms of fibromyalgia? Chinese medicine defines fibromyalgia as a pathological condition of internal dampness. This system of medicine has also defined many foods to avoid that will aggravate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

It seems like everything is on the list of damp foods. Most of the fun foods, of course.

Eating too many foods that increase internal dampness is like having too much rain that creates a muddy quagmire or dampness inside your body. Eating these damp foods can make your fibromyalgia symptoms worse. Using the principles of Chinese Medicine to make better dietary choices, you stop putting excess dampness in your system. You know about foods that warm you up or eliminate dampness. As a result of making these changes in your diet, you get to strengthen you internal ability to dry out the dampness that can reduce your fatigue and daily chronic pain. This can also help reduce mental unclarity or fibro-fog. You actually can feel the difference in as little as a few weeks to a few days.

Keep a food diary and see how many things you eat in a week are on the damp list. Slowly make some changes, you might notice a difference. And wouldn't that be a great thing.

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Surviving a Layoff

Unfortunately, the end of layoffs probably isn't near. And if it hasn't happened to you yet, it could- adding to the anxiety we already are collectively feeling in this country.

It helps that you are not alone. Companies are announcing layoffs daily.

But there is something you can do if you're laid off, or are having anxiety about being laid off.

How to Handle a Layoff







Photo: AP

Your Motto For the Day

Set aside a block of time to do what you love, cut out other stuff from your life that take up your time, and don’t let anything interfere with that work.








Zen Habits