Roaccutane - Week 1 / Day 1

 

OKAY....

So I have always been complaining about my skin... how terrible it is and how it affects my whole confidence level ( in fact it plunges to a new low).

 

They always say that your makeup requires a good canvas, and what the general public meant by that quality of canvas means if you have stable and clear skin. I think it doesn't mean you can't have scars, but if they're not pitted, they can be covered up by light foundation. While I always envy people with nice glowy skin, I know that some people like me aren't born with it.

 

Working In Dubai

I went from slightly depressed (I was in HongKong last year for work when my whole face saw lots of whiteheads and papules (read this guide to know the types). I had to warn my best friend who was meeting me that my skin was bad, as compared to the stable skin I had previously (not perfect but nothing serious). So the whole time I was in Dubai, I had to deal with clogged pores and many of my colleagues did recommend me treatment solutions - eg. diane35 (super cheap in Dubai drugstores- sold over the counter), proactiv 3 steps treatment, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, etc.

 

I didn't have a dermatologist in Dubai, so I went over-the-counter to purchase benzoyl which in my opinion, did help my condition a little. My forehead began to clear up but without oral medications, it just wasn't seeing results - they came back due to the bad sleep patterns and stress. I was in different time-zones and different weather conditions while traveling, and even the aircraft condition was giving stress to my skin. So I came back to Singapore with an acne problem to treat, and I needed to treat it fast.

 

No more maple clinic, no more Kovan clinic?

In the past one year, I've visited both these clinics. Dr. Chan from Kovan did work for me, but his course of treatment excluded sunscreen and moisturiser, which wasn't helping me at all because I was in Dubai and you know the drastic desert weather there. I had peeling skin and I think his treatment did work for me with the humid Singapore conditions when I was still home.

 

Maple clinic was good for me for the first 2 years I've been with Dr. Ong. I had clear glowy skin but when I went back to her recently, the medications didn't work as well as before as I realised, some of the products made my skin ultra sensitive. So I decided to seek a new clinic after reading reviews, though it does mean that a portion of them are sponsored.

 

To date, I would still recommend the two doctors to friends who have outbreaks, as the consultations and products are more reasonably priced.

 

drx

Joyce went to Dr. SK Tan for her consultant and I texted her to ask her how she felt before going for it. I did know that a trip to drx @ tong building would cost me a bomb (literally my first bill was close to $700) but I ran a search on their products, and the most expensive product MaxC is collagen-based. It's a very expensive-looking clinic, and they have staff attending to every patient, a 'tai-tai' environment. Since it's appointment-basis, I was spared from the queues Dr. Ong had.

 

Dr. Tan is a nice, friendly man and was the first doctor I consulted, also the most senior in the clinic. Prescribed me the ever-familiar antibiotics, doxycycline and a suite of facial products to complement the oral treatment. I returned to Dubai with these products and oral medications to take and they did clear up my come done-filled forehead and my cheeks. The stubborn area is always the chin.

 

Singapore

When I returned to Singapore, my condition flared and since my medications were running low, I went back to seek Dr. Tan's help. Another course of stronger antibiotics was in the next line, and he introduced a Vitamin A product to the regime. My skin didn't take it well and it took for the worst (chin area). It might be due to my makeup products but I hardly put them on after this flare.

 

I began to see more cystic acnes, large painful bumps, I would also say they are inflamed. You don't see "heads" on them, and if you do pick on these, you see pus. So it's pretty obvious it's a cyst.

 

I saw Dr. Yanni yesterday (changed my doctor to a younger, prettier doc) whom I find speaks my lingo and understands my situation better. Dr. Tan introduced her to me last visit and I was kinda sceptical but we got along well.. so :-)

She went on telling me to read on Accutane (which I did) and yesterday was the first day she put me on it. I knew the side effects by the way, that it was a drug with serious (might be detrimental) side effects but honestly, if you were me, you would consider this option. I've been on antibiotics for almost two years and I want a single solution.

(picture taken with pimple-concealer cream that dries up your pimples, so my actual condition is worst than this. I have 3 cysts now FML)

I want to stop using my hair to hide my face, and I want to be able to step into the brightly lit makeup stores without feeling.......... inferior. I don't even feel like dressing up due to plagued skin. "Nice dress, but wah what happened to your face". GRRRR..

I would really love to return to a stable skin where I could appear my makeup better, and where I can take self portraits without returning to filter or MTXX it.

 Me, 2 years ago.

Accutane

 I know it should be the last course of treatment. People who have not taken it, dissuaded me and portrayed me the most drastic side effects, recommended me things I have heard of. People who have taken it, tells me it's a miracle drug but they have also mentioned it would be the last step to take and they would have tried everything before this. It is also the most expensive pill I have taken to date.

So with the help of acne.about.com, I bring you pointers of side effect. It's not comprehensive but should include:
- dryness of skin and mucus membrane
(as drug shrinks your sebaceous glands, combat using moisturiser and lipbalm)

-  miscarriage and severe birth defects
(you should have no childbirth plans ahead for the next 6-8 months after the entire course of accutane)

- depression and suicide
(stop the drug if your partner senses you having one and consult your derm)

- photosensitivity
(use sunblock)

- other problems that past users complained of include: bowel problems, thinning hair, fatigue, liver failure (blood test will first be conducted)

I have informed my family and my boyfriend ( I prefer to call him my partner somehow) and they will be the best people to watch over my progression with Accutane. Speaking with people who has gone through Accutane gave me better insights to this severe drug, and for most of them, it did help improve their lives which at one point of time had acnes acting as a burden.

It is still too early to tell my thoughts on this drug and the whole treatment process, and I am hoping that in time to come, I can share my thoughts better through this platform.

 

 if you have similar stories to share with me, drop me an email at prettyrednails@gmail.com

 

Job woes.

I can't blog because everything about me feels wrong now, I don't even feel like instagraming all of a sudden.

Will be back when I feel better, or when I'm in a new job.

I haven't been blogging!

I'm getting lazier to get my blog updated because I hardly:

a) take that many photos
b) keep track of things happening
c) on my Macbook to do updates (Im always surfing on my note2!)

;(

I haven't been really writing so I'll blog a little about my work. I took a short contract with a company and they were really keen to try this position out (with me), so to make sure that I don't have a gap of unemployment, I went for it.
To be honest, I don't feel "connected" to this role/job/industry but I took it up purely to pay my bills/entitle me to do a little shopping and to tide through till I (hopefully) find my next job!
So it gets a little demoralizing which is why I hardly have time to blog. Tsk!

On the happier things, let's backtrack to the month of July where I didn't get to blog after Bali, teehee!

Have you tried Frostyz milk tea from Yakun that I've always been quite crazy about?
I always loved crushed ice in drinks so this one tops the charts!

Made time to watch Despicable Me 2 which over-highlighted minions. Well, we all know the selling point of the movie don't we, but I much preferred the first movie of this series!


Wore my DW classic watch, versatile to pair with most of my outfits!
Paired with my Murano glass bead bracelet, with my Topshop skirt in the background.


Went for Punggol Nasi Lemak as dinner at night. Can be slightly overpriced somehow, but I still find it fixes my craving for nasi lemak.

I like the chicken wings and drumsticks but I do find them slightly pricier than your usual nasi lemak stores.
The other place I like is Chong Pang @ Yishun but I hardly go there since I live on the other side of town. On the other hand, I know me - if I have to have that certain craving, I will go that distance.

*  *  *  *

Headed to Changi Airport for lunch the next day!

Cardigan and skirt both from Korea
I hardly buy clothes from online anymore, I guess the past year I've been pretty used to retail shopping and I very much preferred it.

Malted Cheesecake Freeze from TCC and JS' Caramel Latte

The malted cheesecake drink is the BOMB! It's great if you're not having any mains because this thing fills you up, and it sorta reminds me of Ovaltine/Horlicks Dinosaur, with the powdery bits topped.


JS in his favorite Red that goes well with his tan.

Some random pictures I took;

Detailing on my skirt, I like this shade of blue very much.

My favorite watch against my yellow MBP keyboard shield

One of JS' classic expressions!


We were there for a couple of hours, and instead of going for the usual cheese wedges, we ordered the grilled wings and I loved the sauce that went with it!

Wouldn't mind going back again :-D

Dinner was settled at Katong at the renown 328 Laksa place.


I shall leave you with the pictures as I'm typing, I'm beginning to salivate.
What was left of the Katong laksa. We ordered a bowl of $4 and $5.
It was JS' first time there and he had nothing but praises for it. Well-cooked laksa broth with the right blend of shrimp paste in it leaves you wanting more.

*  *  *  *

My WIWT a week later - JS' granny's birthday.

Zara lace top, Catwalkclose nude skirt and nude flats from Muji

It was buffet lunch which had the usual favorites of shrimp paste chicken and chicken curry so I ate quite a bit! JS' aunt made braised pork belly with mustard greens (aka, 梅菜扣肉) the true Hakka style.

A birthday can never do without a cake and this Tiramisu came plain, and was decorated by the aunts!


The lovely couple at their 80s.
I often speak about both granny and grandpa to JS and I would love to see us being like them someday - the true meaning to "to have and to hold".



JS' family is a big clan - his mom has 6 sisters and 4 brothers so it was quite a sizable gathering whenever we gather for celebrations!


The 3rd generation - 19 grandchildren heh!

*  *  *  *

Travelled to meet my cousin at Orchard Central.

topshop skater dress paired with ferragamo gold flats and my gold chain tote from gmarket.

Had good sunlight at level 5 of OC so we sneaked out to take some pictures!


Lunch was done at Spaghettis', and we haven't been there for awhile!
My cousin's usual favorite is the lobster pasta, while JS had the aglio olio. I think you can't go wrong with a restaurant that specializes in pastas! I recommend you try any of their pastas - especially the seafood ones.


Here's my cousin James ( a foodie like me) whom enjoys restaurant-hopping and good food.

 Irene, my cousin-in-law whom I am rather close to, with their son Aeos!

*frowns*

Went home to find my brother and his new Hershel purchase. Gawd, what a huge backpack!


*  *  *  *

Week later, JS and I got into the mode of 'cafe hopping', and I find myself itching for good coffees. Starbucks can not longer satisfy that need, so we found myself navigating our way to Habitat Coffee.


My love for truffle fries. I love anything with truffle especially if they're in my risotto!

These sinful shoe-string fries are good!

JS' latte and my mocha. You have to try the Mocha, I love every bit of it.

The waffles with maple, chocolate and butter. They have the ice-cream version but I think we had quite a bit on our plates!

Will be back for more! I've yet to blog about a couple of other cafes and restaurants we've been to, and if you're looking at a good place to try dessert tarts, please go to Window Sill @ Lavender to try their lemon tart and banana tart! It's darn good!

*  *  *  *

Lastly, a quick review on my items from JustTangy

 

Sarah operates a local-based online store that sells brands that we are unable to get through brick-and-motar in Singapore.

The designer brands that she import includes the popular CCSkye, Daniel Wellington and the growing brand of fine jewelry, Claire Aristides.

The DW watch that I've gotten has been worn by me over a couple of weeks and I love how light the leather straps are. Accompanied by a clean watch face, it is encased in rose-gold ware which goes well with the brown.

The watch face is a 36mm diameter and it's a good size for small/medium lady's wrist. Girls with broader wrists can consider the Men's Classic linked here.

It will be interesting to state this, but my brother has loaned my women's classic and wore it out - he received a number of compliments for it!

I often find myself pairing gold accessories with gold watches, so the rose-gold goes well even with your silver accessories.

Here's one with my T&C charm bracelet.

Should you like to see more of my shots feautring the DW Classic St Andrews Watch from JustTangy, go to instagram and search for the hashtag #5dayswatchchallenge ! It has extended to more than 5 days of course, and I will still tag it whenever I'm wearing the DW :)

The direct link to the watch and JustTangy's site: http://www.justtangy.com/collections/watches/products/womens-classic-st-andrews-watch-lady

Tata, have a good Monday, I can feel the blues already! :p