Week Twenty

06/11/03

Week Twenty... I thought I would be done by now...

BUT, the past few weeks have gone by quickly, and my skin is looking pretty darn good! I still get some peely places, which of course, leave red marks if I pick at them, but I'm even starting to have less peely places now, and NO new breakouts.

My dermatologist recommended (from the beginning) to ONLY use Vasoline, nothing else. (although I still haven't figured out how to use ONLY Vasoline AND use sun screen, so I'm using both) I hated the Vasoline because it left my face shiny and sticky. Yuck. But last time he said "you're using too much, try using a really small amount" I've been doing that and I have to admit, it's working better.

My skin and scalp are still itchy, although some days are worse than others and I can't seem to figure out why. I try not to scratch. Too much.

I had a hectic day last week where I neglected to slather my lips in lip balm every 20 minutes or so, like I normally do, and that night, I had chapped lips and cracks forming at the corners. I thought they were destroyed, but I put on a thick layer of Aquaphor before bed and when I woke up, they were fine! Is this stuff amazing, or what?

I see my dermatologist again next week. At this point, if he says I need to stay on Accutane another month, that's fine. Now that I'm so close to the end and my face is looking good, it doesn't seem like a big deal. (OK, I'm secretly hoping he'll say I can stop soon, but don't tell anyone)

Funny story: I saw a good friend who I haven't seen for a few months. She knows I've been taking Accutane and said "your skin looks great, you look like you've had a face lift" Now this might not sound too exciting to younger folks, but at my age, that is actually a compliment. I can't figure out why she thinks that. Maybe all my old skin has peeled off by now, leaving younger looking skin? (or maybe she's just lying) Maybe because I don't wear makeup now?

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that, I hardly ever wear makeup now. I wear a tinted moisturizing lotion with sunblock on my face and Aquaphor on my lips.