Hi again, Laura... I replied to one of your posts about the first facial and gave some advice. As far as the facial itself goes..Did you at least enjoy it? I hope so. The swelling will go down, I promise. She probably thought she was helping you..but you never, ever pick cysts especially if they are not ready to be picked. (I should talk, I always am trying to get rid of them and it just ends up making it worse) The whiteheads are probably just pores that got the bacteria from the cysts into them..she probably spread the infection. Derr!!! Why are some facialists so clueless of what they are doing? If I ever just ripped the heck out of someones hair for no reason, I dont think theyd be too pleased..So why do facialists deem it necessary to poke the living daylights out of their clients??
I was reccomended a producted by Dr Hauschka..called Rejuvenating Mask. I got it shipped 2nd day air, because like you- I am suffering a wild case of hormonal acne on my chin. The rest of my face is clear.. But my chin? Whats up 4 Cysts that HURT (plus beautiful red marks from old ones that make it look like my chin is red. Gotta love that... )
Thank God I am a cosmetologist who does make up as well..So I know how to cover semi-well. No one noticed today (Christmas..and my family is the type to point those lovely things out. I was waiting for my aunt to say "Sara..Your skin used to be so clear..Whats going on with that chin of yours??!" But thank god- Nothing.)
Anyways- My story strikes a scary resemblence to yours, dealing with insurance and a bcp.. only difference is the pill. (Mine was Nordette, switched to Levora and now im trying Estrostep Fe... I take my first pill tomarrow and I am scared to death that it wont be my miracle. If this doesnt work, im gonna TRY to get on Accutane..altho I am supremely scared to.)
Well the mask I suggested to you..Is literally...a wonderful product. I work in a Spa and the Facialist there is one of my friends...I went to her with my skin and she said "Hormonal Acne. I cant do anything about your hormones, honey but I can reccomend a product" Well Dagnabit She hit the nail on the head. Get this mask.. Its at many different beauty sites, and get it shipped to you express so you get it before your cruise. It will heal the redness, calm it down and I know you are not supposed to pick..but these cysts were ready to be expunged (ew..that sounds so....so...awful. lol) So I did. I put the mask on, spot treating, and in the morning...the cyst I masacred was flat and easy to cover with make up. Not gone, mind you, but flat and pink. (as opposed to the lovely mountain it was the night before, aye dios mio.) Also, it brought the other ones to the surface,which I was able to massacre today and I will put the mask on tonight..Hopefully it will work again (Watch it wont do a thing for me since I talked about it.. Boo!) The only thing is that it costs $45 dollars and Im not sure of your age or if you are currently working.. But im telling you, it works.
Alright, well thats about the only thing I can tell you to do. The Mint Julep mask will essentially dry your zits out- but let me just warn you, you do not want to dry the surrounding skin out. So please, please avoid that product if you can. Menthol is irritating to skin that is already inflamed, not to mention you just had extractions and the like done, so your skin is extra sensitive right now. Please treat it kindly.
Please feel free to post again, and I can chat with you about these lovely hormonal problems we both are suffering from. I usually have some good product/skin advice because of the field im in and not to mention I come from an Italian family that has tons and tons of home remedies for things. Plus extensive knowledge on different brands and products.. So ask me whatever you need.