I thought I would give an update on my face since I last talked about the flareup that turned out to be rosacea. I dutifully took all the medications prescribed to me by my dermatologist who, in my completely uninformed opinion, may have Asperger syndrome. Let’s just say she lacks an empathy gene, and when I asked her about a mole during my rosacea appointment, she acted like I asked her about the color of her underwear.
“The purpose of your appointment is not to talk about a mole. Your appointment is to talk about your rosacea. You need to schedule an appointment to talk about your mole because this appointment is about rosacea.” All of this she said while looking at the wall to the right of my head.
During my appointment about only rosacea, we concluded that the medications weren’t helping, so she added a fourth one to the pile. This I also dutifully took, and my face did get slightly better. Unfortunately, it also got ridiculously oily. I have always had dry skin, so the excess oil production was confusing. Never have I had to reapply powder or blot my face during the day, but there I was, blotting myself with paper towels and tissues. I eventually realized that it was because all of my medications were drying out my skin, causing my body to produce oil in record amounts. My face didn’t look good enough to put up with one more hassle. I stopped all my medications and started researching other dermatologists.
I was painting the 4th grade classroom with the teacher, complaining about my face per usual, when she suggested I use essential oils. She gave me a sample of Immortelle by doTerra after making sure it didn’t have any oils that would make matters worse. I tried it, and I have to say I loved it. It’s all I’ve been using ever since, and my face looks better than it has in a very, very long time. Not perfect by any means, but much better than before. No one has asked me lately if I’ve been punched in the jaw, which I consider a success.
I’m not sure if I really had rosacea after all, and I’m not recommending immortelle for those who do because it’s expensive and I don’t want anyone to waste their money because some weirdo on the internet said it works great. If you do buy it, be aware that it stinks to high heaven. A list of the ingredients (Frankincense, Helichrysum, Rose, Lavender, Myrrh) should explain why.
Immortelle users swear it helps with eyesight, wrinkles, rosacea, dark under eye circles, brown spots, wound healing, scarring, and taxes. I’m kidding about the eye sight. <----sardonic Here's the thing. You have to watch out for marketing mumbo-jumbo, and there is a lot of marketing mumbo-jumbo in any and all forms of retail. Immortelle has worked wonders for me, but I don't believe it works on repairing eyesight. I'm sorry, but I don't. Wrinkles, okay. Same goes for skin rashes and other inflammations, especially since it has lavender. I know for a darn fact it doesn't work my brown spots because I’ve been applying it to my ever-growing collection for two months now with zero improvement. ZERO.
At least this gives me something new to complain about. BROWN SPOTS. They immediately age me, no matter what I put on my face. I can’t cover them up with makeup, but I suspect my makeup is too sheer. Other than immortelle, I haven’t used anything else to lighten them up. I won’t go back to my socially awkward dermatologist, obviously. I need to do something, though, because my 1+ hour of daily recess duty isn’t doing me any favors. If you’ve had success lightening your brown spots, I would love to hear your recipe.
OMG MY SKIN. This is 41, people.
Your skin looks great in that picture.
I’ve heard so much about essential oils (naturally, since they are everywhere and I’m not living under a rock) :) but have never tried anything yet.
Hydroquinone cream bleaches brown spots. Get prescription strength. Also use retin A in general. It is the ONLY thing that reduces wrinkles. I’ve used it for about 20+ yrs and my skin looks good for my age. The over the counter retinols are just a watered down version and not as effective. Don’t believe the marketing hype. Good luck. And life is too short for that derm! Find one with empathy and concern for the patient.
Well, if it’s any consolation, I think you make 41 look fabulous! I see nary a brown spot, by the way . . . and I know them quite well. I have a couple I’ve been able to fade with Bio Oil. But now I’ve got a particularly stubborn spot–I’ve applied the dadgum oil with abandon, to no avail. It’s so rude!
I just ditched my dermatologist, too, over a scuffle about eczema. I’ve been trying to manage it with essential oils but not having much luck. In that process I received a full size sample of Immortelle and it does stink to high heaven. I haven’t seen any results, and I think I prefer Bio Oil, but I feel like I need to use it because it’s so damn expensive.
Stinks so bad…
That is so funny! I use Immortelle and love the smell.
Everyone is different!
Corrin, use geranium oil for your eczema. it works wonders for me.
My daughter takes the allergy blend and it seems to help her eczema too. When she skips the allergy blend for a few days and gets a flare up, we use Melaleuca, Lavender, and Frankincense and it clears right up. Hope you find what works for you!
The curse of my olive skin has always been dark spots. Prescription faders just dried my skin out too much. I’ve just resigned myself to uneven skin tone. This is 42. Bleck.
I hear you, sister.
Hats! Always wear a hat if you’re going to be out in the sun that long. Otherwise, try Neutrogena Pure and Free liquid – spf 50. I’ve also heard good things about Vanicream Sensitive skin sunscreen.
My son and I both have Asperger’s. It’s been my experience that Aspies feel too much!
This post talks about that:
http://seventhvoice.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/new-study-finds-that-individuals-with-aspergers-syndrome-dont-lack-empathy-in-fact-if-anything-they-empathize-too-much/
I’m glad you were able to get some relief from your possible rosacea. :)
I just commented the same thing, then scrolled up & read your comment :)
See apology at the end of the comments. :)
My derm talks super fast and with much emphasis with little or no time between words. I call him Dr. Meth. After a visit with him, I feel like I have just been thru a cyclone. I say, find another derm! It takes about two seconds to look at a mole.
I was diagnosed with Rosacea at one point too – I’m still not sure if I really had it or not. My dermatologist had me on pills too and since I was not seeing great results, I just stopped taking them. I also used to have awful migraines, which had me start paying closer attention to my lifestyle. I started eating A LOT better — organic, non-GMO, nutrient-dense foods — I feel like a million bucks now! I haven’t had any red spots for years and migraines come once in a blue moon, usually when I haven’t had enough sleep for several days (I have a 10-month old). :)
My own personal opinion is that it’s all about what you eat. I know, you probably didn’t want to hear that. But rest assured, this is coming from a person who after one glass of wine, opens up that bag of barbeque potato chips and scarfs them all down. And then maybe another glass of wine and then maybe too much of a Lindt dark chocolate bar…..need I say more?
So, perhaps get thee to a naturopath – you might do some food sensitivity testing (that’s on my list) and contemplate giving up dairy ….
I feel your pain Jules (I’m 55) and have always had ‘problem’ skin. BTW, the thing that made a big difference was taking fish oil … which I’ve fallen off the wagon doing, so must start again!
I have a lot of hyper-pigmentation (thanks genes) and the only thing I’ve found that really helps is a good retinol at night (sunscreen in the morning is a MUST) a few times a week and a vitamin C serum. If I use a retinol more often I have fewer spots, but my skin dries out (I’m prone to dry skin – especially with our winters) so I choose spotty over flaky. :)
I started using immortelle after you posted about it but the smell is…. really really difficult to overcome. I don’t like floral smells in general and that particular mix is just too much. I feel like I can smell it on my face all day and it’s a little nauseating, but maybe carrying around that nasty smell will dampen my appetite! :) I just imagine that other people can smell it, too, and well that’s probably not the case it makes me not want to use it. I would use it at night but my husband is super allergic to smells so unless we sleep in separate rooms that won’t work (and I’d rather cover up my redness than do that, haha!)
I started using this sunscreen recently and have been really happy with it. I’m quite fair and freckle-y (and now I have dark spots from my pregnancies that look like more freckles all over) and I’ve had a hard time committing to a sunscreen that doesn’t bother me. The smell is minimal and it’s a physical sunscreen. It’s expensive but I think it lasts pretty well and a little goes a long way. Next time I’m going to buy the big bottle that’s a better value now that I know I like it so well. The clerk at Nordstrom even told me that she uses it as her makeup primer after she moisturizes but I still use my primer on top.
http://www.sephora.com/uv-plus-hp-day-screen-high-protection-spf-40-P282024?skuId=1312958
Immortelle smells really, really bad. It stinks, no way around it. I have gotten used to it, but it still smells bad. I’m not a fan of patchouli scents, and that’s what it reminds me of.
When I first started getting brown spots, they got worse when I viewed them under flourescent lights too. I always looked like I wore a goutee in the bathroom accross the hall from my office.
I always wear at least 30 spf on my face and neck. That being said, Avon (gasp, yes avon) has a cream that is relatively cheap that bleaches brown patches back to skin color after about a week. Love it. then stay out of the sun!
Try diluted Bragg’s apple cider vinegar on a cotton pad as a toner (obviously test a patch first to make sure it doesn’t exacerbate the issue). It is the only thing that has helped diminish brown spots for me, and my skin texture and tone has improved because it also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. And, you can also drink ACV diluted in water for tons of energy and other benefits. I just started it recently and it has made a huge difference for me. I use it as salad dressing so the kids get the benefits too. And, you look great, by the way! :)
I’ve been drinking that for years and I LOVE it. I can’t drink water without it now. I also do water + coconut vinegar. That has a sweeter, almost buttery taste. I can’t explain it, because butter water sounds vulgar.
Thank you for the tip, I will try it! Happy Halloween!
Your skin looks fantastic…now if you could just get the darn wig thing taken care of. Kidding, just kidding.
Hahahaha! YES. My wig. O.o
Maybe your next blog post should be about where you bought your wig… I’ve always been desperate to have hair like yours! :) Kids are SOOOO funny.
Skin at 41 is like skin at 16 only reversed. Ugly and hard to handle but where there used to be oil it’s now dry and where it used to be dry it’s now oily and there are wrinkles everywhere but STILL ZITS. I can’t handle it all. I’m glad the oils have helped you!!
This is the best description I have ever heard.
Hi Jules!
I’ve been reading your posts on rosecea before. Like you I suffer from migraine and like you I’ve developed some seriously annoying skin problems in the past which I thought were rosacea since I always had sensitive skin and kind of healthy-rosy cheeks.
Given my medical history and I guess my general appearance a otolaryngologist I was seeing for the first time mentioned that I’d possibly suffer from histamine intolerance. I never thought it possible and started reading about it on the internet and was immediately shocked when I recognised so many of the symptoms linked to histamine intolerance. The very same day I started changing my diet and have e.g. stopped eating chocolate altogether (I was completely addicted to it and do not miss it at all). The change in my appearance and overall well being was immediate and significant. I look better, my skin cleared up, the flushes stopped and I’ve lost quite some weight whereas before it was nearly impossible to loose any and I always felt kind of bloated.
A test confirmed the doctors assumption now. So yeah, as a picky eater it’s quite a change for me…
I wonder if you’ve checked for any other allergies?
Weird. I looked into histamine intolerances a while back and it made me
wonder. I’ll do more research. Thanks!!
i went to see a dermatologist about acne, and asked her about a mole, and she had the exact reaction. my pediatrician does the same thing when i once asked him if he could prescribe me tamiflu.
so annoying!
I have no idea how this will work with your skin, but retinol is good for reducing wrinkles and brown spots. Neutrogena has this retinol product that for me, made the wrinkle lines under my eyes (on the tops of my cheekbones) fade away immediately. It also has lightened up some brown spots for me. (I use the night time serum-y product-y one.)
http://www.neutrogena.com/category/anti-aging/rapid+wrinkle+repair-.do
Now, retinol can be a harsh product. I use it every OTHER night, usually. I’m more about putting good things INTO my skin rather than trying to peel my skin off my face (maybe I have a wrinkle free face under my face! Plot twist!) so try it out but don’t worry if it isn’t for you. Retinol can cause redness and sensitivity, so go easy with it. Quit it if it seems to be irritating for you. I don’t use it on my whole face, just on some specific areas that I’m working on. The Neutrogena product is affordable too, so it’s not an expensive experiment.
I hope that helps.
I have mild brown spots aka melasma (not from pregnancy) and a brutally honest dermatologist. He said nothing short of lasers would really get rid of them. I’ve been on a retin-a product for over 15 years (I’m 39) for my acne and it hasn’t lightened my brown spots. He just lectured me on sun protection. So echoing the advice above – sunscreen and a hat! Don’t f* around about the hat. Just wear one. Maybe your wig will be less noticeable ;-)
I’m super white and grew up in Florida so I have a lot of sun related baggage. I really like this brand: http://www.laroche-posay.us/anthelios and Neutrogena ultra sheer with helioplex: http://www.neutrogena.com/product/ultra+sheer-+dry-touch+sunscreen+broad+spectrum+spf+55.do?sortby=ourPicks
My friend had that laser procedure for the same reason. Nothing on the market truly works, according to her dermatologist. And yes, my wig can’t be stealing the show. ;)
OMG. I am a product junkie… which is funny, given my profession. I use oils every single night. Seriously. And, I don’t want to brag, but frequently people think I am 10 years younger. Trust me, there are plenty of other things not-brag-worthy. Let me get my list started on those later… :)
I use Seaberry oil by Fresh (I love a bunch of the Fresh line), the vitamin C oil (don’t laugh, I already know how volatile VitC is) by Ole Henrikson (also smells because of the fish oil). I also use products by Lush. Seriously…would you like a list?
BTW, my skin is super dry, and so I lather up like a greased monkey in the am and pm.
Lol. Dry skin is your worst enemy….
Edit: You do NOT look 41 either!!!!
I would LOVE a list of your products!!
I have light brown swathes (“spots” doesn’t do them justice) under my eyes and they drive me nuts. I knew they’d gotten bad when a friend I hadn’t seen in a while asked me if I’d had a black eye. It seems more unfair because I’ve been wearing SPF 45 every. single. day since I was 13. I think it’s melasma from BC pills, and the derm said that I’d need laser work to correct it so I’m just endeavoring to live with it. Bummer.
I’m tempted to try a retin product but loathe to make my skin more sun sensitive. I’ve started using a bit of L’Oreal illuminating cream under my eyes and I think that helps camouflage it a lot. Good enough for me!
Some people think that people with Asperger’s are off the charts empathetic – & thus have to shut that part of themselves down, otherwise they can’t cope.
It’s an interesting way to look at it.
Regardless, you need a new doctor.
See apology at the end of the comments. :)
Oh lady. You poor thing. That derm has GOT TO GO. I cannot believe she wouldn’t talk to you about your mole. That’s potentially more time-sensitive than your face issues, if no more important for other reasons.
I swear by oils and ditching most meds/soaps. Since I started washing with only Dr. Bronners, baking soda, vinegar and essential oils (crunch, crunch – that’s me going granola over here), my skin has been fantastic. I use oil on my face after I get out of the shower – I apply it to primarily remove eye makeup (my mascara is PERSISTENT, yo), but then rub it into the rest of my face and neck and wipe excess off gently with a towel. Happy face.
Wishing you the best…this is no fun!
I thought of you when I started using the oils! The doterra cleanser is fine, but full of chemicals. I’m not going to buy another bottle when I’m done. I’m going back to Dr. Bronners.
If you like DoTerra, I have found that Edens Garden has comparable blends at a fraction of the price.
Amazon 10ml = $20 instead of $65, just sayin’
AWESOME!!!
I understand the feeling about brown spots I hate when they show. I’m of the “cover them up” school. You might try Laura Mercier camouflage. It comes with two shades in the compact and works really well. Expensive, but it lasts forever – seriously! It’s a fairly “dry” cream, so if you need something creamier the Laura Mercier concealer is also good, and Benefit Paste is a great cover-up.
I have no problem spending money on something that works. Thanks for the tip!
I thought about your Aspergers comment overnight & I think it’s a bit off putting. As a parent to a child with Aspergers, it seems like you’re using it as almost an insult. Like: ‘because my doc was difficult/not empathetic, she must have Aspergers, womp womp’. It just felt off to me.
A lot of people with Aspergers feel emotion 100x stronger than us neuro typical people. Some see Aspergers as a benefit, rather than a defect one has :)
I understand why you would be put off by my comment, and I’m so sorry for making a comment that could be interpreted badly or make anyone feel uncomfortable. I even debated writing that in the post, but I went with it because I really do–again, in my completely uninformed opinion–think she is on the autism scale. I looked at this list from autism speaks (� limited or inappropriate social interactions � “robotic” or repetitive speech � challenges with nonverbal communication [gestures, facial expression, etc.] coupled with average to above average verbal skills � tendency to discuss self rather than others � inability to understand social/emotional issues or nonliteral phrases � lack of eye contact or reciprocal conversation � obsession with specific, often unusual, topics � one-sided conversations � awkward movements and/or mannerisms) and she hit every single one on every one of our 3 visits. More than that, though, is that she is a physician with a specialty. I have always linked Asperger’s with successful, intelligent people. You only have to look at the list of famous people with Asperger’s to realize many of those brilliant people we once categorized as “eccentric” are actually on the scale. Bill Gates has Asperger’s, for Pete’s sake.
One of my many mistakes in the post was making it seem like Asperger’s was an insult. I was using it as a way to present the image of an eccentric genius way beyond my reach, and I failed. I’m sorry.
I had rosacea for years, and used a prescription topical cream, which improved my skin somewhat. I began using the “oil cleaning method” of face-washing because I read about it online. Several months later, I realized that my face wasn’t nearly as red as it used to be. I stopped spending lots of money of face creams –I think that the face creams caused my redness and rosacea. I now use coconut oil on my face primarily. I am 62 years old. I would suggest using only simple oils, such as olive oil, a bit of castor oil, and coconut oil for face-washing, and see what happens.
I have heard many people getting great results regarding skin inflammation by giving up dairy. You would need to give it 2-4 weeks to see results. But it might be worth it if it works for you.
I’ve heard rosehip seed oil is magic for skin!
i started using 100% Shea butter with aloe vera on my face and it has done wonders for my rosacea… Like random people coming up to me , commenting about how great my skin looks wonders. I picked up a small jar at the health food store…
you have cute face…but overweight! no offense but i think only a sincere opinion might prompt one into action.
I’m a firm believer in essential oils (doTERRA in particular) and I wanted to see if Immortelle is really worth the money. So I’m Googling it and I fun across your post. I read it, I like your style, and just wanted to add that my girlfriend went to her eye doctor recently and was SHOCKED when the doctor told her that her prescription had changed after years and years of wearing the same strength contacts. She was even more shocked to learn that her eye sight hadn’t gotten worse, it had actually gotten better! The doctor was stumped and asked her what she could possibly be eating, any new medication she’s taking or anything she’s doing differently than before. After thinking about it she realized her answer was Frankincense. Just a couple months before her appointment she started using Frankincense around her eyes for wrinkles!!! That’s the ONLY change she’d made in her routine, so I can tell you straight up that although it may seem far fetched, there is absolute truth to the comment you heard about Immortelle improving your eye sight! In some countries Frankincense is more valuable than gold! It certainly gives credence as to why it would be gifted to baby Jesus, doesn’t it?
I just found this article when looking up about Doterra Immortelle oil. You have a great blog, and I appreciate your honesty about your struggles.
And as for you Julian- who had the audacity to say she has a cute face but is overweight….your comment is degrading and disgusting. She doesnt need to be sprung into action, nor was she seeking your opinion on her body. I sincerely hope you learn the error of your ways, as its extremely offensive.