C says:
I would like to start this topic by saying I have the most wonderful family in the world. I love them and nothing will ever make me say otherwise.
However, I have skin asthma which is also known as eczema. I have researched on them and found out they are hereditary.
I do not blame my ancestors for this problem but still...it sucks. I envy people with really smooth and flawless skin. I'll even take the occasional pimples or blackheads. My skin asthma on the other hand will never go away. My dermatologist has been very frustrated with me and I with her. She kept on saying I have to do this, do that...and I want to scream at her, wring her neck, grab her hair and tear her to pieces.
"NOTHING IS WORKING, BITCH!!!"
OK. Maybe I'm not doing my part. I should start to eat right, live right and behold--my skin would turn out right. So I decided to change my eating habits. No more junk foods, no oily foods (goodbye french fries!), drink lots of water (I have about 8 trips to the bathroom every night, maybe I also have a kidney problem...geez...nothing in my body works.), wash my face like crazy (my face is the #1 manufacturer of oil in the country) and got lots of sleep.
Did it work?
NAH!
It stayed the same. No improvements. My regular trips to the derm were all in vain (I had cleaning sessions like every week, no anesthesia. It hurts like hell.). I bought every kind of soap and facial wash in the market. I have a specific body soap, shampoo and conditioner. no alternative. I was so desperate that when my uncle suggested I go to Belo (as in the Belo Medical Group where the Movie Stars of our country get their face and body done) I jumped at the oppurtunity.
I was scared, very scared. The place looked posh and the reception was nice. As soon as I got out of the car, the door guy had immediately rushed to my side with an umbrella (yes, I am allergic to the sun too). They offered us drinks (my mom got like 3 glasses since they were free) and finally we were ushered in the doctor's clinic.
She asked me, "O what can I do for you?" I looked at her beautiful-perfect-white-smooth-pimple-and-scar-free face and choked, "My f-face...".
Then she examined my skin, listed the procedures I need and said, "Here, I suggest you do these procedures." And handed me a list of procedures and medicines I need to be beautiful.
I stared at the list:
1. glycopeel cleaning.............................P1,120.00/session
2. powerpeel..........................................P2,800.00/session
3. ice mask.............................................P1,120.00/session
4. Spanish peel......................................P5,600.00/session
5. Acne control kit................................P3,000.00/session
I felt like I was punched. I burst out crying. I could not believe the price I need to pay in order to look a little pretty. I looked up and saw my mother crying across from me. It made me feel selfish and really really bad. My doctor looked surprise (of course she would, who would ever cry in a consultation...) and asked if I'm crying because it will hurt. I could not remember what happened after that. I was drowning in my misery, I hated the world right then, I hated God for giving me this skin.
Drama aside...I did go through with the procedure. My mom, being her usual 'kuripot' self, asked if we can forego to Spanish peel and ice mask (she said we have ice at home or something...). The doctor replied that we can opt not to do the Spanish peel but no you cannot use homemade refrigator icecubes for the face. I only had 5k gift certificate with me (courtesy of my generous uncle) and still it would not be enough for a simple cleaning.
I thank my mom for shelling out the extra cash for my medicines. I don't think I could return to Belo without another outburst. Or maybe next time, when I am the CEO of A Top Companya and 10k is just a yawn. Right now, I am sticking to my P500/session cleaning. Religously applying zit-creams here and there. Eating healthy. Sleeping on time. Hopefully, the simple things are enough to grant me my wish.
E Says:
Oh my.. I feel you C! I, for one, am not blessed with flawless skin. I have lots of pimples (which are really obvious, and oh C, yours are lesser than mine!). But really, those treatments are really expensive! All I can say is that, we have to appreciate what we have even if we already deemed it as the worst thing. There are things that are natural, and we can't do anything about it except for treatments or any controlling actions to suppress it. If we appreciate it and acknowledge the fact, then we will feel better (less stress and worry). We envy people for the best things they have, but for sure, they envy us for the good things we have that they don't have, isn't it?
To spend a LOT for beauty is not a good idea, but to spend for beauty with an appropriate price is alright. So, what is the right price for beauty? It's difficult to answer. Since this is really subjective, we certainly don't know what is just right for one, because it might not be right for others.
If we get pimples occasionally, that's alright. I mean it's pretty natural. When you are stress out, you get them. When you have inadequate sleep, you get them too. When you eat oily foods, you also get them. When the place is dirty or filled with air pollution, you also get them.
The important thing is that we put our efforts to maintain our physical beauty, and even if the result is not the way you expected it to be, at least we did maintain it. But, it's impractical to spend so much just for that, when simple regimen can do (even if the results are not as expected, but at least there is improvement or maintenance). Let inner beauty shine within us, and we will become more beautiful.
Oh my.. I feel you C! I, for one, am not blessed with flawless skin. I have lots of pimples (which are really obvious, and oh C, yours are lesser than mine!). But really, those treatments are really expensive! All I can say is that, we have to appreciate what we have even if we already deemed it as the worst thing. There are things that are natural, and we can't do anything about it except for treatments or any controlling actions to suppress it. If we appreciate it and acknowledge the fact, then we will feel better (less stress and worry). We envy people for the best things they have, but for sure, they envy us for the good things we have that they don't have, isn't it?
To spend a LOT for beauty is not a good idea, but to spend for beauty with an appropriate price is alright. So, what is the right price for beauty? It's difficult to answer. Since this is really subjective, we certainly don't know what is just right for one, because it might not be right for others.
If we get pimples occasionally, that's alright. I mean it's pretty natural. When you are stress out, you get them. When you have inadequate sleep, you get them too. When you eat oily foods, you also get them. When the place is dirty or filled with air pollution, you also get them.
The important thing is that we put our efforts to maintain our physical beauty, and even if the result is not the way you expected it to be, at least we did maintain it. But, it's impractical to spend so much just for that, when simple regimen can do (even if the results are not as expected, but at least there is improvement or maintenance). Let inner beauty shine within us, and we will become more beautiful.
C says:
Thank you so much E for your words of encouragement. I know you would understand me. I have just been to my derma again this weekend (not Belo anymore fortunately) and she told me not to stress about it. I am a 'born-worrier'', which is very true. If I am so stressed out with my skin condition, it will only make it worse. She also told me that maintaining my skin is a lifetime regimen and that I should not expect too much. I will have scars since I do cleaning often. I happen to be photo-sensitive as well (allergic to the sun, that's why I am always red) and keloidic (so my wounds heal very slowly, sometimes it leaves an ugly mark).
But I feel so much better now. I was given the facts about my illness and I just have to look on the bright side. It cannot kill me and it can improve if I watch my diet, get adequate amount of sleep and apply my topicals. I don't want to worry about things I cannot change. It's hormones and everybody has them. Mine just happens to be more active. Hahaha!
My new philosophy:
"If you can't change your fate, change your attitude."
Ema says:
Wow C! I love that philosophy/quote of yours.. it's inspiring.. :) I'll have to take note of that hahaha! :)
Ema says:
Wow C! I love that philosophy/quote of yours.. it's inspiring.. :) I'll have to take note of that hahaha! :)
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I agree with E esp on this:
"...Let inner beauty shine within us, and we will become more beautiful."
It's the inner beauty that really counts. Real beauty comes from the purity of one's heart =). Just as E said, you should also put extra effort to maintain physical beauty but not too much -- too much of everything is not good.
Thanks A! I will try my best to change my attitude towards this 'skin' situation. ^___^
Ugh . . . .expensive. I care for money more than beauty. Mwahaha!
E and A had mentioned the important things a beautyf conscious person needs to realize. Hehe.