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
(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.
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
