879 replies to this topic

[LionQueen]

I'm still 99.9% clear -- a couple of teeny tiny white spots on the chin this morning, but they disappeared during cleansing.

No redness, soreness, dryness, or irritation.

Okay, I feel cocky. I think I'm going to use the Level 9 again tonight and see how it goes. If my face melts off, you will read it here first.

[~Bobbi~]

OMG Queen you kill me! Well I hope your face doesn't melt off. I will be anxious to read your report tomorrow.
I found this site that has alot of good info on copper peptides and emu oil. Thought you might be interested. Be warned it may bring out your inner product whore.platinumskincare

[LionQueen]

OMG Queen you kill me! Well I hope your face doesn't melt off. I will be anxious to read your report tomorrow.
I found this site that has alot of good info on copper peptides and emu oil. Thought you might be interested. Be warned it may bring out your inner product whore.platinumskincare

Thanks for the warning.

*goes and cuts up all credit cards before clicking on link*

[LionQueen]

Here goes, my 800th post ... might as well be to my log.

So I don't know if this is PMS-induced or GC-induced or both, but my face is purging like mad. No real pimples, no inflammation -- but bumps and open comedones are pushing up all over the place: jaws, cheeks, temples, even my forehead (which has been clear for months).

I was not able to resist squeezing some of these .... and now I have some red pinched-looking marks on my face .... and now I am kicking myself (again). To make myself feel better, I went on a little online shopping spree. I just bought a comedone extractor, which is like a license to pick. (Yeah, I probably shoulda cut up those credit cards for real.) Anyway, here's the one I bought (saw it recommended on one of the boards):

http://www.spaequip.com/store/KMAE597.jsp

For now, I am going to jessfoliate and use the Level 9 and take a bunch of Advil tonight and generally hope for the best.

On a totally unrelated subject: I had a one-hour Pilates Reformer workout today and my arm muscles are aching so badly I can barely type. OMG, that was intense. Normally I don't hurt this much until 2 days later. I am afraid to think what Saturday will bring, I probably won't be able to get out of bed.

[LionQueen]

So .......... my face did not melt off. In fact, it looks perfectly fine this morning. No redness, dryness, or irritation, no pinch marks, no breakouts. It does look a little tired from being jessfoliated twice yesterday ... and the fact that one of my cats woke up me up at 5 AM is not helping. (She's an 18-pound Maine Coon and has a way of making her presence known.)

*Yawn*

So I guess I'm going to go with Level 9 green cream every other night for a while here, alternating it with the Level 6. In a week or so I'll bump it up to nightly use. I don't really think it's going to be a problem for me.

[~Bobbi~]

OHH I'm so glad you still have a face this morning.
Good old pilates, I love it!! When I first started doing it my husband was like "uh yeah, that really looks like a challenging workout, no way that could do anything for you or make you sore." haha I made him do and he couldn't even make it through a whole ab series. Men, I thought he was going to cry.

I guess that level 9 is really helping already. Doesn't it kind of freak you out that you have that much crap under your skin to purge? Makes me feel a little disgusting, blech.

I may have to quit reading your log because every time you get something new I think oh I need that too. I'm seriously considering ordering the copper peptides now and I'm all over the comedone extractor. Actually I have thought it for quite a while but just never got around to looking for one but you just encouraged me.

Hopefully you aren't in too much pain from the pilates this weekend. Take a warm bath with some epsom salts or something.

[LionQueen]

I'm all over the comedone extractor. Actually I have thought it for quite a while but just never got around to looking for one but you just encouraged me.

Hopefully you aren't in too much pain from the pilates this weekend. Take a warm bath with some epsom salts or something.

Well, if you order from THAT website, be sure and type in "aesthetician" when they ask for your occupation. I cluelessly put N/A and got a snippy e-mail today saying they only sell to professionals. Honestly, I think it would have been just as easy for them to fill my order ... oh well. I am thinking about writing back and telling them I'm studying skin care. I kinda am, I'm on this damn board enough.

Feeling a little punchy at the moment, fueled by 4 Cosmopolitans and a rockin' girls' night out ... my girlfriends are the BEST. God, I'm going to miss them (we are moving at the end of June). What am I going to do in a new city with no wild women to play with????

Which brings me to my reason for posting right now: they ALL commented on how good my skin looks and wanted to know what I've been using on my face! I think Green Cream has just acquired 5 new customers.

I had one zit come up on my chin today, but it's just a bump, no redness. So far PMS has not been very noticeable ... though I'm sure I just jinxed myself by even daring to say that.

OK, I gotta stagger off to bed here. Morning comes early around my place. Note to self: do not touch face after 4 Cosmos ... I can only imagine the possible damage. I'm going to splash with Calmin, rinse, apply Green Cream, chug some Advil, hit the sack.

buenas noches ...

[LionQueen]

Looking good today. Yesterday's chin zit has gone down and I have no new ones. My skin looks smooth and peaceful again, no insane purging today.

I have Level 6 on my face right now and will use the Level 9 tonight.

[LionQueen]

WOW, I am happy with my skin right now.

For one thing: I have full-on PMS in other ways (yeah, I'm a snappy bitch) -- but my skin is not breaking out. Not at all.

Also: I did everything tonight that makes my skin look bumpy. I did an hour of cardio, took a hot shower, used an AHA/BHA cleanser, then jessfoliated ... all of which brings stuff to the surface. And guess what? Aside from a few scattered bumps on the temples -- it's all smooth now.

I've got my Level 9 on tonight, plus a little L6 on the chest, neck, and eye area.

Oh, and my friends who saw me last night? Two of them have already ordered their GC!

Ha, ha, this stuff ROCKS!

[Pam32570]

I can't wait to start seeing results, and especially to have people notice!!

[xxdancexx]

Okay well I really would like your help if you could that is. I got a prescription and for some reason they gave me 3 tubes of Retin-A .1%. My mom well she gave me some stuff too that's worked for her. She gave me this stuff that is tretinoin .75% and 2% hydroquinone(she absolutely lives by this stuff, and there is two bottles but the other one is lower strength tretinoin), Neutrogena pore refining cleanser, neutrogena healthy skin lotion, and well I bought some AHA souffle and some cetaphil and a jessfoliation thing a few weeks ago. So ...how would I go about a regime for hyperpigmentation? lol i don't wanna overdo it, but I have so much ahas and retinols that I don't know what to do. I really don't wanna go cooking my face up and making it worse. My skin is really uneven and blotchy with plenty of hyperpigmentation. And there is no acne...but there was a while ago, I cleared it up with Retin-A about 4 or 5 weeks ago. But what should I do!? Oh yeah and does Retin-A or that tretinoin/hydroquinone stuff work like green cream do you think?

[konradski]

It's been a month now since I started this regimen. Still really happy with the results!

Right now, I have no active acne. The left side of my face (which went through a purge early on) is quite clear and smooth at the moment. The right side didn't start purging until fairly recently and is now healing; there are a bunch of small redmarks where the bumps surfaced, but no inflammation.

My Green Cream bottle is feeling pretty light, so I just re-ordered the Level 6. The website I buy from, lindasy.com, has a cool offer where you can get 4 product samples for $10. So I am going to try out their oatmeal cleanser (for sensitive, flaky skin), the moisturizer for dry acne-prone skin, the eye gel, and the bronzing powder.

I'm also on a pretty strict diet right now, having gained nearly 10 pounds since joining this website (I think I was putting in way too much butt time in front of the computer when I first joined; now that I've settled into my regimen, I'm only checking in every few days). Anyway, I think the diet is helping my skin AND my weight (I've lost 5 of the 10 pounds so far). It's pretty much along the guidelines of the South Beach diet: low-fat proteins, whole-grain carbs, fresh fruit and veggies, lots of water. Also I allow myself a couple small pieces of dark chocolate each day.

Q

5 grammes of chewed tabs per day till clear then maintenace dose B5

[LionQueen]

Okay well I really would like your help if you could that is. I got a prescription and for some reason they gave me 3 tubes of Retin-A .1%. My mom well she gave me some stuff too that's worked for her. She gave me this stuff that is tretinoin .75% and 2% hydroquinone(she absolutely lives by this stuff, and there is two bottles but the other one is lower strength tretinoin), Neutrogena pore refining cleanser, neutrogena healthy skin lotion, and well I bought some AHA souffle and some cetaphil and a jessfoliation thing a few weeks ago. So ...how would I go about a regime for hyperpigmentation? lol i don't wanna overdo it, but I have so much ahas and retinols that I don't know what to do. I really don't wanna go cooking my face up and making it worse. My skin is really uneven and blotchy with plenty of hyperpigmentation. And there is no acne...but there was a while ago, I cleared it up with Retin-A about 4 or 5 weeks ago. But what should I do!? Oh yeah and does Retin-A or that tretinoin/hydroquinone stuff work like green cream do you think?

And I thought I was a product whore ...

OK, let's start with cleanser. Keep the Neutrogena pore refining cleanser in the shower and only use it there. Put it on as soon as you get your face wet, and leave it on for the whole shower, massaging occasionally and reapplying if necessary. Rinse it off very thoroughly before you get out. Don't use a washcloth or any other scrubbing device with it.

Use the cetaphil when you jessfoliate, which can be as often as seems to work for you. I do it once a day when my skin is normal, twice a day if it starts breaking out. Not everyone can tolerate that frequency, so you have to figure that one out yourself.

That should take care of your exfoliation, so put the AHA souffle aside for now. If the jessfoliation doesn't work out for some reason, you can pull it out again.

Now, what are the directions that came with your mom's lotion? Can you use it during the day? If your skin can tolerate it, I would use a tiny amount of the regular Retin A at night and your mom's lotion during the day. You will also need a layer of sunscreen, so I hope your Neutrogena healthy skin lotion includes at least SPF 15. If not, get the one that does. And yeah, tretinoin is like a stronger version of Green Cream. It's more irritating to the skin, but since you've been using it for 3 months already, you should be used to it.

If you can't use your mom's lotion during the day, then alternate it at night with the regular Retin A and just use the Neutrogena lotion during the day.

EDIT: I just thought of something else. Hydroquinone is generally used only as a spot treatment to fade brown spots. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU USE IT.

5 grammes of chewed tabs per day till clear then maintenace dose B5

Not for me. I'm not comfortable with vitamin megadoses, and at this point, I don't need it.

[LionQueen]

I am still absolutely clear, PMS and all.

I've used the Level 9 three times now, alternating with days when I use Level 6 twice. I'm noticing a little more flaking and purging on the days after I've used Level 9. No pimples, just comedones pushing out.

I'm currently debating my next move ... whether to stick with this program for a little while longer, or try using Level 9 two nights in a row. I've had zero redness or irritation, so I'm tempted to push the envelope a little.

[Pam32570]

Queen, LOL at you editing the "snappy bitch comment". Man, can I relate to that!!

Awesome that your skin is doing so well right now. I remembered you mentioning copper peptides earlier on. What is your take on them? Will you ever incorporate them in again? I read tons on that Skin Biology website last night and it was enlightening. But I was looking for a side by side comparison on what exactly it does compared to a retinol, and what the difference between them is, and I couldn't find that.

[LionQueen]

You know, I find that every time my temper flares and I snap at someone on this board, I regret it. It usually turns out to be some poor clueless teenager whose head I've just bitten off. I figured I'd better edit that comment before I was sorry.

Actually, I am still using the copper peptides, when I remember. I put a few drops of CP serum on at night, about 45 minutes after the green cream. I just haven't been able to draw any conclusions yet! From what I've read, you have to use them for a long time before you really see results, and I haven't been all that diligent about applying them (I often fall asleep before getting to that stage). Also, it's hard to separate out results when I'm using both CP and the green cream. But let me put it this way: the CP serum certainly hasn't done any damage. I would use it during the day, but it doesn't work well with my sunscreen ... I end up with little balls of product on my face.

My understanding is that copper peptides contribute to the elasticity of your skin. Mine could use a little elasticity. Also, don't they help the skin heal better? There is a thread over on the Scars forum ... it's been awhile since I read it, but I seem to recall that people were using CP following TCA Cross and needling.

I have a couple of very shallow scars but I think I'm just going to leave them alone ... all of the anti-scar techniques scare me a bit. I feel like I have more to lose than I have to gain by messing with them.

[Pam32570]

It sounds like you could use the GC at night and copper serum in the morning (except for the sunscreen issue). I won't be trying it for a long while, but I'm pretty impressed by that guy Dr. Pickard's philosophy/findings. He's all about less is WAY more. Its cool that he posts on their message board. Everything he supports goes along with what I've found to be true so far about skin care....and its based on scientific research. I'm going to post some of what I found out in my log when I get a chance...

[~Bobbi~]

Queen-with your personality (from what I tell from your log anyway) you'll find wild woman friends any where you go.
That is so great people are asking what you are using on you skin!!! That is the ulitmate compliment.
I just have to say I think it's so nice of you to give advice so much on here. You are always so thorough with your answers. Maybe you should make this a career.
I'm glad you are making it through the PMS unscathed so far. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[LionQueen]

Bobbi, you are SUCH a sweetheart. I sure hope you are right about the wild women. I really love my community and friends here, so it's going to be awfully hard to pull up stakes ... but we want the kids to grow up close to family, and we just don't have that way out here. And I'm getting awfully tired of Bay Area traffic and crowds wherever we go ... it's a constant hassle and constantly getting worse. *sighs*

So anyway, I have 2 friends just starting with their Green Cream tonight, and I sure hope it works for them because I feel somewhat responsible. I kind of have the same feeling here on the board sometimes, it must be my maternal instincts kicking in. It makes me furious when derms prescribe stuff like Retin A and Differin for these kids and don't tell them how it works or what to expect or anything ... it's just so half-assed.

Pffffffttt.

[QueenAmy]

Queen, I love your log. It's a pleasure to read. I'm so happy that you are doing so well with your regimen! You are my hero for not picking for over three days. I lated about 12 hours on the 48-hour no picking challenge. OY!
Let me tell you, leaving a zit alone long enough for it to heal is next to impossible. I have waited over 14 days-not picking, waiting, being patient, and they never go away (well the larger ones anyway) until I rip out the gunk and the white blood cells realize- "oh, there's an infection we'd better deal with". It's like that spot just stays there, and does nothing until I pick it and trigger my body's healing process. GAH- How's a girl supposed to NOT pick when this is what you have to deal with? However, I have been trying to not pick, and a mini zit is actually going away after three days. It's a start.