i have two theories

[lucky2289]

Originally Posted by OhMyFace

Thanks, GirlHarley.

And Lucky2289....I am so glad that this board has provided you with this kind of support, as it has me. Also, I am very encouraged by your info about colonics....I have done some home cleansings that have helped, but I have often considered going in for the real deal and may still do so.

I was very nervous the first time, but for me, I finally just decided to do it out of desperation more than anything. I have had a host of upper and lower GI problems, and when I say I suffer from severe constipation, I am not exaggerating. I do not want to gross you out, BUT, when I saw what came out of my body after my first two colonics, I was horrified and I thought 'no wonder I had acne' (Plus I lost 8 pounds in two days). Food particles left in the colon for more than 24 hours are host to more than 24 bacterial toxins. This is NOT normal, no matter what GI specialists will tell you. Some people are more sensitive than others. I have a very sensitive body, and MY body reacts badly to this. I get bloated, sick feeling, and usually break out. Battling constipation has been a battle for years of my life, longer than acne, but for me the two go hand in hand, and colonics have helped me with both. Some people think that if they do not have constipation, they do not need colonics, WRONG! The colon wall is very porous and 'rippled' - food particles get trapped and build up over time. (I watched a TV special the other day talking about how colonics are the secret that many celebrities use to stay looking so beautiful) My advice...do your research and go to a licensed practitioner, even it costs a little more. I find I have a MUCH better cleanse if I fast the day before (or at least skip dinner) and drink LOTS of water to lubricate the colon. The colon is like a sponge. Imagine hard food stuck on a dinner plate, you have to soak it to soften it up and get the food off right?? Same idea with a colonic...the cleanse will be much more productive if you drink an abundance of water the day and night before to 'soften everything up a bit'. Good luck to you...let me know how it goes if you decide to do it!

[Micheybell]

Kamala,

I couldn't agree with you more. I made a post recently where I said that the harsh med's both prescription and non ... may seem like they're working at first but after several weeks/months of use your skin suffers greatly. It becomes very dry which in turn causes more breakouts .. and these breakouts are a whole lot worse than what you started out with. I regret ever going to the derm. that first time.

I switched from all those harsh med's (retin-a, benzaclyn, cleocin, BP treatments etc.) to Cetaphil and an Ultra Moisturizing Glycolic Complex which actually contains some essential oil. The derm's are always saying oil-free and stay away from oil blah blah blah. I do not think that's the answer. Essential oils are necessary and good for your skin. My aesthetician does facials and uses squalene oil (shark liver oil) at the end of every session. It's wonderful!!!

Your other point about coming to the boards .... you're 200% correct that it only stresses you out more having to think about your problem and talk about them constantly. I come here to give advice and help others .. when I'm feeling really down about my skin I stay away from the boards.

Something that also will help is to just relax and not touch or think about your skin at all. Be gentle with your skin and drink lots of water and eat right. That WILL help. Eating right does in turn help your skin and even more importantly your overall health.

Good luck to you!!

[OhMyFace]

Lucky2289,

Thanks for the input.....I made an appointment for next Friday for a colonic with someone who my acupuncturist recommended to me....I am very excited! (and nervous) I have made this appointment before and have gotten too scared and backed out, but this time, I am going to go through with it for sure. I have already seen a tremendous difference in my skin since switching birth control pills but maybe the colonic will brighten my skin back up again and help me heal faster.

Thanks for the encouragement.