Getting my skin ready - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

Julz518 · #1 06-01-2007, 01:16 AM

What is a good "game plan" for getting my skin (mainly face & hands) ready for the Big Day? I have a year to go, and I've never had major acne or any kind of skin problems. However, lately I have been getting "red bumps" (not pimples) on my face - which I think may be related to the heat (my wedding will be in the summer). I've also developed "colorless" (flesh colored) bumps on my forehead - you can't see them but I can feel them.

My daily routine consists of washing my face with Basis in the shower and applying Dove age-defying (or something like that) lotion to my face and a green-tea lotion to my hands. About once a week I exfoliate my face. I have never been "into" make-up or any kind of beauty treatments, never had a facial, etc. I don't even know how my skin is "classified" (dry, oily, patchy?), so I don't know what kind of products to buy.

Help? Where do I start?

BridalMUA · #2 06-01-2007, 05:23 AM

Hi Julz!
Congrats on your upcoming wedding! It sounds like the red bumps may be heat related if they have just developed during the warmer months, but the colorless bumps sound like comedones, which are the skin-colored, small bumps (papules) that are frequently found on the forehead and chin of those with acne. The bumps are found at the opening of a sebaceous follicle (pore). Comedones (As well as other acne) can be caused by any of the following:
* Hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress
* Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products
* Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin)
* High levels of humidity and sweating

Despite what our mothers and grandmothers have told us, chocolate, nuts, and other foods do not cause acne.

I would either see a dermatologist so you can be prescribed a topical acne medication (such as retin A micro gel) to help your "facial erruption" or get regular pore cleansing facials and/or microdermabrasion treatments. A dermatologist can also give you a list of "safe" skin care products that:

1) Are meant especially for your skin type
2) help eradicate the comedone problem.

Some of the best skin care products can be found at your local drugstore. Millions of dermatologists recommend Cetaphil, so finding a great skin care regimen doesn't always have to be expensive.

If you can't get to a dermatologist, perhaps you can visit a esthetician and ask them to give you a personal skin care analysis so at least you can pick out products that will suit your skin type. It sounds like in addition to your daily cleansing routine, you may also need to add a pore cleansing mask.

As far as your hands go, I would always use moisturizers and sunscreen (actually, that should go for your whole body!)

That way, your face and body will all be one color (or as close as possible to it!) and you will feel much better about everything.

Let me know what you decide to do and If I can be of anymore assistance!

Heather · #3 06-01-2007, 03:41 PM

Hey Julz, Something I found to work great on my face and chest (I would get those little bumps sometimes too) is Neutrogena's glycerin bar.

My face is dry in some places (cheeks, forehead) and oily in others (nose) and it seems to even it out. I also get the bumps on my chest in summertime and it gets rid of them in 2-3 days. I also use it to shave and I never have shaving bumps anymore.

In the summer I use the regular Oil of Olay moisturizer when I get out of the shower because it works with dry or oily skin. In the winter I use the Dove face cream because it's thicker and I need it more in the cold weather.

Julz518 · #4 06-01-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

In the summer I use the regular Oil of Olay moisturizer when I get out of the shower because it works with dry or oily skin. In the winter I use the Dove face cream because it's thicker and I need it more in the cold weather.

That's a good point! I switch up my hand cream in the winter/summer, but I never thought of switching my face lotion! I only started using the dove lotion last winter, and it is a LOT thicker than what I used to use... so maybe I should switch back for the summer.

And I'm definitely going to make an appointment with a derm and/or a esthetician... I don't know why I never thought about doing that! I guess I just fingured this stuff was too "simple" for them...

imstilldreaming · #5 06-01-2007, 04:29 PM

I second the Oil of Olay moisturizer for the summer, it's my favorite!

sparklesweetie · #6 06-01-2007, 05:21 PM

Hrm...I'm wondering if I should be doing something I'm not, lol. I don't use anything on my face other than make up removing cloths. I guess I'm lucky enough that my skin isn't oily or too prone to breakouts so I don't think about it...

But if you ladies reccomend using some lotion, I'll heed your advice.

And I also think comedones is what I have on my upper arms - I've had that since I was little though. Nice to know it has a name.

Heather · #7 06-02-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julz518

And I'm definitely going to make an appointment with a derm and/or a esthetician... I don't know why I never thought about doing that! I guess I just fingured this stuff was too "simple" for them...

Try the Neutrogena bar for a week first. Seriously. It'll be like a little experiment for everyone who has the same issues. It cleared everything up for me after three showers and now I use it everyday.

Julz518 · #8 06-02-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Try the Neutrogena bar for a week first. Seriously. It'll be like a little experiment for everyone who has the same issues. It cleared everything up for me after three showers and now I use it everyday.

I tried nutrogena when i was younger, and it made my skin REALLY dry... I'm thinking about going back to Cetaphil, which always worked really well for me. I mainly want to see the dermo to find out what my "skin type" is...

BridalMUA · #9 06-03-2007, 06:06 AM

I'm sure your Dermo will suggest Cetaphil, but it's good to be "Classified" as a skin type and to get an opinion on what he/she has to say about your skin. Let us know!!

munchkin · #10 06-03-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparklesweetie

But if you ladies reccomend using some lotion, I'll heed your advice.

Definitely use a lotion after you wash your face. Keeping your skin hydrated will keep it more elastic, and therefore will keep your skin from wrinkling prematurely.