Writing Maya's and others stories...

The other day Maya said (in jest, I think) that I should write her story one day. Well, it's funny you should say that, Maya, because...

It HAS been a (long-range) goal of mine to someday write a book on the lives of people who have struggled for years with acne, and acne scars. I think the rest of the public who have had trouble-free skin their whole lives should know all about our struggles, our never-ending quest to self-educate and to learn about ourselves, and especially, about our determination and our COURAGE. My plan for the book is that it won't be a solemn, "oh, woe is me" type of project, but one that has humor (and hope) in it, as well. For instance, I'll share a funny story that once happened to me, one that I wouldn't mind putting in the book. Several years ago when I was about 16, I read somewhere that mayonnaise would heal a person's acne, so one day, while I was home alone, I smeared a thick mask of it on my face and then when I was returning the jar to the refrigerator, who started to walk into the house but my father and his friend (who happened to be our town's Chief of Police)! Well, when I saw that Dad was going to come into the house through the kitchen door, I ran across the room and actually tried to slam the door shut on him as he was opening it! A real, push and pull, tug-of-war went on for a few moments and I was yelling, "No! No! You can't come in!", until he yelled in anger, "Johnny, what are you doing? Let me in the house!" You can imagine my total embarrassment as my father strolled into the house with the Police Chief to see me with mayonnaise all over my face!! I don't remember what I said but I remember both of their mouths dropping open when they saw me, and I was totally humiliated.

Anyway, in retrospect, I think it's kind of a funny story now and I CAN laugh about it, but at the time I felt I was ruined for life! I mean, a teenage guy wearing a mask of mayonnaise on his face?? Whew. That's part of what I would like to see the book project cover, but mainly, I want it to be a tribute to the many people out there who sacrifice their hard-earned money (and many times, their dreams, as well) to chase their goals of attaining victory over their acne and acne scars.

IF I ever finish the biography of my muse (and guardian angel, in many ways), Hollywood actress Barbara Payton, I am determined to write this book! I hope there will be a lot of people on these Boards who will be willing to share their stories. I think it could be a very powerful and valuable read--on many levels.

Hmm. Maya, once I'm done with my other project, how 'bout if I start by interviewing you...?

Bad reaction to Compound W for keloid on upper arm

I wanted to warn others who may be considering using Compound W for removal of body keloids that it can possibly make things worse. I had a small keloid (no bigger than a dime, I would say) on my upper arm (bicep) region that I decided to treat with daily applications of Compound W. I applied it two days in a row--there was no stinging, or undue burning. The area "frosted" over with a white, occlusive film but I noticed that over the two days the frosted area seemed to expand and become larger than the original size of the keloid. Maybe I applied too much of the Compound W, but the keloid and surrounding skin now look much worse. It now looks like I irreversibly burned the good skin around the keloid. I stopped the treatment after two days and I have been applying Neosporin with Vitamin E and Cocoa Butter diligently, several times a day, but I don't know if it is going to help in the long run.

I am not discounting others successful use of Compound W for removal of keloids, I just want people to know that there is a risk, if you aren't VERY careful, of making things a lot worse. Now, I'm wondering if I will eventually have to see a dermatologist about this problem as the keloid still bothers me, as does the weird, discolored and wrinkly skin that now surrounds it. Is it any wonder that I haven't tried to do TCA Cross on myself?? 8-[

I don't think we can ever repeat it too much for each other...Be careful, everyone, with WHATEVER treatments you pursue.

When people stare at another person's scars...

I wonder if they think they are staring right into that person's soul? For the unblemished and unmarred, it almost becomes a kind of power trip, I think. I mean, if not, why don't they stare at the healthy skin surrounding a person's scars? I sometimes think the staring is meant to try to keep the other person "down", and in their place...

I'll never understand it.

I wonder if any company has thought of combining...

...ALA, DMAE and Copper Peptides in a scar-reducing formula? Does anyone here think it could be done? Would it be effective?

Just the musings of someone who won't give up the belief that there is a "magic bullet" out there (somewhere) for us...

Ben Affleck/Ashton Kutcher

In my next life, I want THEIR skin! (A little of their money would be nice, too, but I'd settle for their skin!) 8-[