Skin care...

[StephanieCD]

I'm frustrated beyond belief. Here I am, trying to accept myself, and every time I go to dress or get pretty the one thing I find most horrifying is my skin!

There are the bumps on my legs from shaving - some got infected - some never healed - some are just like razor burn.

There's the acne all over my face and now - even a huge boil on my neck from an ingrown hair - it's been there almost 2 weeks.

It seems my healing powers are weak or something because these little skin 'wounds' take forever to heal and get infected frequently.

I use clean razors, wash with antibacterial soaps, I'm pretty darned clean - I could do the laundry more ;)

It's gotta be my diet... right?

I feel absolutely horrific!! I bought a digital camera so I could get some good pictures of that dress and everything - I can't even bare to get that dressed up right now - it's disgusting.

Please... skin care tips? Random anythings... I'd love to hear about anything that has worked for anyone in this department - I just can't get nice skin... you know - like "girl" skin ;) ;)

[Priscilla1018]

Hi Stephanie,

I am going through the same thing,my wife thinks it may be hard water so I recharged the water softener. I use a fresh razor when I shave,I use a good moisturizer every day,I am extreamly clean(almost osessive about it) and still I break out and it takes for ever to heal. I have temporarily stopped shaving my chest,it is the worst. I think maybe a moisturizer with Aloe may help.I'm going to try that next.

Know exactly what your going through.
Love and Hugs,
Priscilla

[StephanieCD]

Sorry to say it's good to hear I'm not alone. If anything I do works I'll post it so you can find out, too.

I'm currently taking some fish oil pills and a strong multivitamin as I heard they might help... I'll let you know.

[Sharon]

I think maybe a moisturizer with Aloe may help.I'm going to try that next.

Priscilla and Stephanie,
I think Priscilla's on the right track in regards to finding out why you're both reacting to shaving in such a manner. I would suggest changing shaving gels and moisturizers in the hope of eliminating whatever active ingredient is disagreeing with you so strongly. If this doesn't help, I would definitely consult with an allergist or dermatologist. In the meantime, I would stop shaving while the sores healed.

Good luck to you both!

[Holly]

Ladies,

Adding to Sharon's thoughts... consider consulting your doctor. There could be other medical reasons your healing is taking so long. If nothing else, it would be good for your peace of mind to eliminate all medical issues. And certainly changing gels and/or mositurizers can't hurt. Best wishes, Stephanie and Priscilla.

[Helana]

Steph

It sounds like your hormone levels might be out of whack - go to the doctor about the acne issue and ask to get your hormone levels checked. If your testosterone is too high you can take corrective action (diet) or get androgen blockers prescribed that should quickly clear up your skin problems.

[Alayna]

Hi girls, I've got the same problem. Especially on my chest! I've never been able to get completely clear skin, but 3 things seem to help a lot:

1st, exfoliate. I use a bath & body works sugar scrub. Try to use the kind of scrub that has lots of large sugar crystals in a syrupy-looking fluid. It's the kind that doesn't foam up, and it also feels like you could hurt yourself with it if you scrub too hard:p This will free up any trapped hairs (not the deep ones though) and really soften your skin.

2nd, disinfect. Instead of shaving, I use my epilator and sometimes wax. Either way though, you should disinfect afterwards. Pulling the hairs out leaves open holes for bacteria to get in, and shaving scrapes skin away leaving vulnerable parts. It also spreads bacteria around while you shave. Although I've been lazy and haven't actually done it for more than a couple days straight, you should clean the area at least twice a day with alcohol, and especially after you shave. It'll burn like hell, but it's worth it.

3rd, moisturize. After you disinfect use a moisturizer. I use b&bw body butter, but anything specific to extra moisture is good. Perfumed ones (like what I use) tend to burn a bit so you might want to go unscented. I think Jergens has one called "intense moisture" (or something) that works well.

That seems to work for me anyways - but different treatments have different results from person to person. And when all is said and done I'm still sitting here at my computer scratching at ingrown hairs. I'm not real dedicated to my own advice if it means work:rolleyes: Also Stephanie - you should definitely go to a doctor about that boil. I hear they can get serious if left unchecked.

[Tamara Croft]

Hiya

If you do a search through the forum, you will find there is a lot of info about skin care already. You need to stick to a routine if you want nice looking skin.

http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4576

Have a read of this ^^ :)

When you epilate/wax skin, you should use an after wax cream/lotion, something with Tea Tree in it as this is a natural antiseptic.

Tamara x

Just a note: -


Try to use the kind of scrub that has lots of large sugar crystals in a syrupy-looking fluid.
It's oil and if you have oily skin, this will make your skin worse. You need to buy exfoliants for your own skin type.

[Priscilla1018]

Hi Sharon,Holly,Helena,Alayna and Tamara,

Thank you all so much for the help.

Love and Hugs to all,
Priscilla

[StephanieCD]

Wow, lots to consider here...

Less work to just be ugly ;)

But really - thank you all for so much input - I'm at wit's end. I did mention it to a doctor once - but I've never really told a doc the TRUTH, either - I imagine that'd be a quicker way to get real help instead of the vitamin suggestion I got last time ;)

The hormone suggestion, Helana, FEELS relevant - I'm going to look into it. Thanks!

[StephanieCD]

Now that I've read Tamara's goodies on that link.. I think maybe the hormone thing feels right to me cuz it's a quick fix - I need to start a skin ritual and stick to it.

T-yer a doll! Thanks ;)