ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ Blackpoppies.com

Saturday 28 March 2015

My cystic acne adventure

Warning: contains grim images of my face: expli-zit content etc.  
(I think some people like looking at that stuff) 
Here is one nice pic to soften the blow (and ensure the main blog post image isn't the next one!)

I've not been blessed with the good 'takes care of itself' skin. I think there was a brief period in my early 20's when I could get away with a heavy lifestyle and not get spots, but before and after that moment in time its always been partial to blotchiness. I'm fine with that, I don't feel entitled to perfect skin, the odd blemish comes and goes, some people have a far more raw deal in life. 

In my mid 20's I began to get cystic acne on my neck. It would switch from one side to the other, once one side calmed a little the other would heat up again. Cysts like this last for weeks if not months, hurt and leave scars. *brings out tiny violin 


At its worst (most of the time) I would look like I'd just been nibbled by a zombie. I hoped people would think I'd had some sort of burns accident. In some ways I was grateful it wasn't on my face so it would be less immediate, but would always be wary of anyone unfortunate enough to face me side on.



Working out what it was
I had a stint of seeing doctors and was eventually referred to a dermatologist but I don't remember any of them clarifying it as cystic acne. They seemed about as miffed as I was. I was tried out on various creams and some pills. But it only really started to calm down once I came off my birth control pill (which is what I had to do to take some of the medication they were offering). It takes around 6 months for hormone pills to fully leave your body and I believed that it was the absence of the daily hormone pill that led to my skin beginning to look a bit more normal…and it took a long time. 


What's causing it
If you are suffering with cystic acne on the neck in particular I'd consider looking at your birth control as its one of those things you don't think twice about taking. There are so many different types of the pill so its not the same for everyone and I can't even remember what I was on (possibly Microgynon) Doctors put you on the cheapest one first so remember you can change brands and find one that works for you. Some people even find it controls acne. Amend your diet where you can, but don't blame yourself for it.

I find when it comes to skin conditions like acne you are made to feel as if its your fault. Concerned friends offer (unasked for) suggestions such as "It must be wearing make-up", "it must be your diet", "its those cakes" (no! not teh cakes!). Theres certainly a stigma of it all being down to YOU. But its just unfortunate that your body is processing things differently to others.


What's helping
I've taken to googling my own symptoms and believe I have a higher level of testosterone that causes this particular kind of acne. I've been taking a supplement called DIM religiously the last week or two and have not had a new cyst since. However it could just be the right time in my cycle. 

It's been nearly 3-5 years but I feel as if its finally beginning to settle (touch wood!) I was shocked when I came across the pictures of when it was in full force. Hence the blog post, I was initially just going to waffle on about my skin care routine. I've taken for granted the 1-2 cysts I get every now and then.




If you are suffering full on at the moment it will change and go away. Your skin and body changes in good and bad ways and no one is untouchable or unworthy of those changes in some way or another. Most people are too busy obsessing about their own problems that they probably don't even notice yours. I was thinking earlier how I never see anyone with acne out and about but that's probably because I'm in my own world. Change up your routine and try and stick to natural treatments.  

As you can tell its not perfect, mostly scars which are a lot easier to conceal. I'm just grateful that's it x


Wednesday 25 March 2015

Zara Denim Skirt































Cooperative Ribbed Knit Top : Urban Outfitters
60s Style button denim skirt: Zara
Bag: Chiltern (vintage eBay)
Enamel Milk Jug: Ikea

Sunday 1 March 2015

February Favourites

Hurrow! Here are some random things I have been enjoying this Feb ͜ʖ

Ceramic Coffee Cup - Sagaform
Yes it looks like the styrofoam cup you get takeaway coffee in... but its not. No no no, its far more superior, its ceramic *clink. I guess these might be good for people with cars that like to make a tea or coffee and take it with them... I don't have a car and can't see myself walking up to the coffee shop all "fill my ceramic coffee mug over your inferior polystyrene cups plz love" but I will just look at it and maybe drink my hot lemons out of it at home instead. It was £12 (inc p&p!)









Illustrated cat from Yeti & Friends
I got this lovely stuffed cat as a present from Odie's owner who hand made and illustrated it ʕ•̫͡ʔ. The cat currently resides on my desk (which is a top ranking and highly sought after spot, well-done cat) (=^^=) Here is Fleur's Etsy if you are interested in keeping an eye out for her creations ᵔᴥᵔ





Bodyshop Instablur Primer
This is the first time I've used a primer so I might be blown away a bit too easy but…primer I am yours now.
ʕʔ

My skin is prone to getting oily fast and I thought I'd have to just put up with it. When I'm out it tends to be in the back of my mind ("am I shiny yet?") rather than listening to the fascinating things my friend has to say. ᑦ()

This grey furry cloudy stuff has given me some hope though. After doing some trains and tubes late in the day recently I went to powder my face as I thought  "well… after all that its probably got shiny now" and found it wasn't (*historical moment/miracle). I cant be sure I 100% stay shine free for the entire day, but it definitely holds it off and that glimmer of hope (and less glimmer on my face) is enough for me! .ʕʘ‿ʘʔ.

It's £14 from Body Shop and quite a small tube, but you can get it for about  £7-£8 including postage on eBay


Key Caps
I bought these on eBay to make getting into the house a bit more…er….cute ʅʕʔʃ
Be careful with the little silver bead chains that come with them though as they break easily = losing access to your flat = not cute. Get them here







Rilakkumma Purse
because…Rilakkuma
Post Japan I am buying lots of bits from China (…) to keep my reawakened stationary child happy. You can find quite a few Sanrio characters on the cheap via eBay. Only downside is you have to wait a bit but don't be put off by the feedback (unless its really really bad) Generally sellers from China are desperate to please and do send the goods (and its really cheap inc postage). I prefer to have it sitting on my desk (watching over me). It's mainly to make up for the fact I.can't.have.a Rilakkuma phone cover because I have a Google Nexus phone (and no one makes cases for android users!) ʕʔ


Cat Phone Case
because…its the only thing that seems to fit a Google Nexus handset
Which takes me onto my new phone case. I'm not crazy about it but its about as close as I can get to finding something for my difficult to dress handset. It's simple, it does the job, bit annoying they have their brand name on it at the bottom (but that can be covered with a sticker). (=`ェ´=)



Make-up bag - H&M
I bought two of these as they are just £3.99 and I think you could probably get away with using one as your on flight/travel case too (I don't know why I'm always faffing with clear plastic bags). They are also a lot easier to use at home as you can find your things quick! It's kind of like a favourites inception this one as a few of my make-up favourites are inside (=^・ェ・^=)


Vanilla Biscuits Shower Gel
I've had this stuff a few times before and ended up forgetting about it until... I spotted it again in Waitrose recently (true story). It smells SO GOOD. It doesn't just smell of vanilla, but of actual BISCUITSNESS. I would really like a body moisturiser version. You can get them at Boots and Waitrose (might have imagined seeing it in Superdrug once too) ɷ


Alpacasso Cube Squishy
I bought a few little bits from the Tofu Cute site which I discovered the other week. Its based in the UK so postage is cheap and quick for lots of little Japanese bits. This one can be used to perform the very important task of wiping your phone/ipad screen. Here be the Tofu Cute site