The Beauty of Acne

Typically 'acne' suffers don't associate with the 'beauty' of the condition. I'm here to break down the stigma that acne warriors, battle. We are beautiful, flawed and compassionate.

[thebeautyofacne]

I know it's been awhile since my last post. Been working tons + in general life is busy. I've had quite a bit of progress since the last post. My skin is 95% clear. It's pretty amazing. I had a blood test regarding PCOS/hormone levels as well as an ultra sound on my ovaries - and the doc's said it looks like I have cystic matter on my ovaries. So I've been researching quite a bit about PCOS and I'm learning. I also have elevated levels of male testosterone, so that explains the acne. I'm going to my dermatologist on Thursday so I'll keep you guys up to date. But the photo's prove the comparison between Late January & Early May - so pending on your treatment, things can clear up realistically in 6 months. :) :) :)

[thebeautyofacne]

Time for another update, because it's been awhile! Okay so my skin became really clear after a week post 2nd micro session, I'm super duper happy with it. My dermatologist reminded me that don't focus on the redness - that's past scaring and it will fade with time. 

So really my only concern is with the persistent cystic pimples on my jawline/neck area. These have only surfaced in the past 6 months. I've been doing research and I wouldn't be surprised if I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. All the symptoms are accurate, except for the overweight part - I'm super healthy. But the irregular periods makes sense. Mine have been all over the place in the last six months. I either don't get mine for 6 weeks or I get one every two weeks. Next appointment - I'm going to ask to get a referral for the PCOS testing. 

Other than that I'm SO happy and positive. :) 

[thebeautyofacne]

Honestly…. Cannot wait till this scabbing & flaking is healed. Because skin underneath is pretty darn good! :) 

Day 3 POST Medical Microdermabrasion + Glycolic Peel.

[thebeautyofacne]

2nd Medical Grade Microdermabrasion & Glycolic Peel 

Decided this time around… ^4 weeks post my first session^ to snap some second day skin pics. I actually had the glycolic peel done all over my face this time & not just in trouble areas; like last time. It feels like your face is melting/burning off. But I'm at the best clinic in Australia and the lady that did mine is actually the head trainer for Microdermabrasion in Australia - basically I'm in good hands that I need to trust. Whilst I admit this looks pretty brutal and freaky, I know in the long run it's worth it. I'm just so glad I'm off work at the moment - because this would be a nightmare to try and cover with makeup. I look significantly bruised and scabbed up! 

Also my doc has upped my antibiotics as we think the Bactrim was slightly more effective than Minocycline ^ I developed a reaction to Bactrim 10 days after… ^ 

My baby hairs are outta control in this photo, lol. Also I promise I'm really happy in person, just look like a criminal or possibly the queen of bitchy-resting face in these photos. :P

[thebeautyofacne]

You guys.... this is super lame but today whilst driving in my car, this young guy driving the car next to me yells out "hi you're really pretty" I was so shocked I kind of just like turned and waved and proceeded to get embarrassed, then he yelled out 'You've made my day' I was just in shock and kind of sped off in front. But you sir.... made my day too! My smile is like this BIG right now ;) 

[thebeautyofacne]

Skin photo update, almost one week post medical microdermabrasion.

| Feeling a lot of skin love at the moment :)

| The second photo is my right cheek - this generally is my worse side, but compare this to previous posts and you can see the acne has decreased. 

| I wear no makeup when I go about my daily life and I freaking love it, don't have any issues with my bare skin. I only wear makeup once a week, generally weekends. I prefer no makeup to makeup - infact. Something I wouldn't have ever imagined myself saying. 

<3 Amy

[thebeautyofacne]

Happy people of tumblr… I've got a secret tumblr. 

My personal mood board | Love.Bliss.Energy

[thebeautyofacne]

Here are two low grade pictures of my skin a couple days after my first session of medical microdermabrasion. Certain breakouts that were extracted had a alcohol solution applied to help dry out and heal faster…. which resulted in scabs. I'm almost 4 days since the treatment and it's starting to look somewhat normal now :) Super happy with micro, skin texture is improved beyond words. xx Amy 

[thebeautyofacne]

Throw back thursday ( Taken roughly a year ago )

| Short hair with pearl/pink/lilac tones. Friggin loved this hair, but I'm liking the natural look at the moment so I'm growing out my hair and also with my natural colour, dark blonde. Also my skin is perfection, and if I can get it looking like this (my goal is 6 months) with minimal makeup, I will be over the moon! 

[thebeautyofacne]

Hi! Got my microdermbrasion done today. This is my face 2-3 hours after… and as you can see redness, YIKES. But the texture of my skin is super smooth. I’ve never had the treatment done before but it feels like a really abrasive vacuum cleaner on your skin which takes of the dead layer of skin - but in a medical way as opposed to a general scrub. I loved it!

Oh the lady that was doing my procedure was like you're sitting in the same chair as Harry Styles… and as a rather big fan of One Direction I was like WHATTTT… and she explained he came down and got his micro done by her when he has touring in Queensland and so did his Mum, Dad, Sister and Makeup Artist. I kinda fan girl’d on the inside. I’m in really good hands though, this clinic is kick ass. My second doctor who looked at my progress is Pink *the singer* go to dermatologist for skin when she is in Oz - which is a lot. 

xx

[officialaudreykitching-deactiva]

When you do not seek or need external approval, you are at your most powerful. Nobody can disempower you emotionally or psychologically. You cannot live prolonged periods of time within the polarity of being true to yourself and needing the approval of others. At some point you will realize that you are doing harm to yourself by being what you think you should be so that someone else approves of you. Be unique, be yourself, celebrate uniqueness. 🙏

[thebeautyofacne]

Selfie analysis

I’ve had a lot of spare time recently to kind of just lurk around the Internet. Had a few ‘ah ha’ moments that I’m going to share…

1. Don’t judge someone by their selfie - it’s quite human and almost an automatic response to see a picture of someone else be that a mutual friend, maybe a celebrity or just a random on instagram and immediately make assumptions about that person. I do it, we all have done it.

Thing is majority of the time you don’t know them on a personal level, no one really knows what goes on in their universe. So whilst I understand it’s easy to compare your lifestyle/appearance/material possessions to this image - There is always more than meets the eye.

It’s funny because sometimes selfie’s can appear to be so self validating but in hindsight it doesn’t matter what another persons opinion is of you. Only you can give yourself the gift of self acceptance.

Its kind of like when you talk to a friend who you think is insanely gorgeous and they complain about a feature they aren’t happy with and you’re like WHAT… Really? Because we don’t see that flaw, we just see their whole loveliness. And that brings me to the fact that yes we are all HUMAN…

So be kind on the internet, spread lovely thoughts and leave the ones that belong in the trash.

[thebeautyofacne]

Wisdom

Thoughts become things, choose the good ones…. :)

[thebeautyofacne]

Week 1 - Photo Progress

If you want to know what I’ve been up to with my skin, go see my last post will explain everything. I’ll keep this post brief and to the point but I feel there is a lot to mention. 

1. My skin is DRY, like really dry. My eyelid area, nostril and lip area is cracking with flakiness . But ultimately dryness = working to control oil. 

2. My skin is ITCHY, makes sense with the drying out.

3. Since having to cut out and only consume minimal carbs - I’ve been hungry all the damn time. I actually bought a raw vegan protein powder to make shakes daily because that will sustain energy and curb hunger.

4. Bactrim makes me nausceous if I take it with a small amount of food, so I’ve been having generous lunch and dinners - and I take it half way through my meals .

5. A side effect of Spiractin is that it flushes out excess fluid in the body, so I’m drinking 2-3 litres of water a day. I can tell if I haven’t drunk enough… my body tells me literally with fatigue and head aches. It’s also for me I feel like I have lost weight in the face, once again because it’s draining excess fluid. 

6. Overal redness has gone down, acne is shrinking = winning. If this is week one really interested what 3 months down the track will achieve.

Hope everyone is bright and well :) 

[thebeautyofacne]

Try the new link I just put on the Meditation, Motivation, Inspiration blog. Thanks for letting me know it wasn't working properly. Michelle

Thankyou Thankyou! All working now. :) Much love and gratitude. x

[thebeautyofacne]

I went to a 'Acne' Specialist Clinic recently...

Quite certain I've found the best acne doctor in Australia. I found out about this clinic through an episode about acne for Today Tonight.... yes that mediocre news affair show. Dr Douglas Grose explained to me he has been working on acne and skin for the past 25 years and it's his passion. He actually is the first doctor dermatologist to actually explain to how certain elements/lifestyle factors cause acne/inflammation/infection of the skin.

So what he has done is put me on a range of meds, skincare products and dietary changes to see if in three months we get any improvements. Literally feels like I've tried everything so this is pretty exciting for me. 

HE STRESSED TO BE REALLY STRICT WITH THIS ROUTINE - nothing else. He even quoted Star Wars "You don't try, you just do" * something along those lines*

1. Face and Body Cleanser  | Allmedic - I use this every morning to cleanse.

2. All Clear Lotion | Allmedic -  After I cleanse I apply a small amount of this lotion to trouble areas, so that is mostly my cheeks.

3. Morning meds are Bactrim which is an antibiotic to treat infection. Taken straight after breakfast.

4. Night | Cleanse skin with Allmedic Face and Body exfoliator, then I apply Differin all over the face.

5. After dinner at night I take meds again, so another Bactrim and a testosterone restriction med called Spiractin.

I'm not used to taking meds AT ALL... i've always been a bit of a hippie/natural holistic kinda gal, but literally will try anything at this point. 

Also he advised me to follow a Paleo diet, as a mostly Raw Vegan... this is kind of difficult but I've adapted. Basically minimal to NO carbs, this is mainly rice, bread, wheat, grains - high carb fruit such as Banana's * my fave :( * mangos, pineapple etc. 

ALSO advised that I wear a very minimal amount of makeup & ONLY Mineral products. So I went and bought some Glo Minerals & Jane Iredale. I'll do a makeup post soon - promise.

Anyone used any of these products? Love to hear your thoughts.

Much love and gratitude x

[thebeautyofacne]

Hi, This is me - post run. I'm doing interval sprint training at the moment, to work on my fitness. Endorphins are the bomb and plus I sweat out toxins, which means acne is eventually going to drip out of my pores! Massive update soon - I went to this acne specialist doctor on the Gold Coast and he is putting me on this 3 month regime - antibiotics, meds, skincare, diet plan.... got a good feeling about this. Hope y'all are well and dandy - keep being your awesome lovely wonderful selves!