DIY Beauty Fridays: Body Pimples and Aspirin

I've posted about the miracle of aspirin on pimples before but bringing this up again because I am breaking out.....on my back.

Pregnancy makes things go haywire.  The added hormones coursing through your body has different effects on everyone and, for me, I get pimples on my back or other odd areas.

I pulled the aspirin trick out, to hopefully rectify this little "pimple problem."  For those that didn't know, aspirin works wonders on drying a pimple out and literally reduces the size tenfold, without having to pop it which causes scarring.

Aspirin Trick for Pimples

1 uncoated aspirin
2 drops of water

Let the aspirin dissolve in the water mixture, or if antsy, crush the aspirin slightly, add the water and make a paste.  Apply to clean skin and only on the affected areas.  Let dry 10 - 15 minutes and wash off with a clean warm washcloth.  Immediately apply moisturizer to the area.  Go to bed and wake up with a very small red dot!!

This trick is used all over the world and truly works.  I highly recommend you trying it.  For those that have already, what did you think?

    

Blackheads??? Email Q & A

Woohoo....my very first email question! Thanks Stephanie for sending this my way!!!

Hey Christina

I've been reading your blog for a bit now and am really liking it. Question, though, about blackheads.  Can you actually prevent blackheads and do products like Biore Pore Strips really work?

-Stephanie M., Vancouver

Hey Stephanie!!

This is a really really really good question because a lot of people suffer from blackheads. For those that don't have them (you lucky people you) blackheads are a form of non-inflammatory acne and are formed when your pores get clogged. (A lot of dermatologists say that blackheads are the first stage of acne, forming before bacteria invades the pores, which in turn results in infection and inflammation...AKA a pimple.) Blackheads occur when your skin produces an abundance of oil and that oil gets clogged in your pores. When the oil is oxidized, it turns black in color.

Blackhead prevention is similar to that of pimple/blemish prevention. Drink lots of water, clean your skin every night prior to bed, try to wear less make-up, don't scrub your face too often and don't use products with excess oil. Let's say, though, that you do all of these things and you're still getting blackheads. This is when you have to take different, more drastic, measures like extraction or pore strips.

Pore strips are nice because they are inexpensive and don't cause too much discomfort. Biore's brand is a really great deal, easy to find and fairly easy to use. Problem is they will not work on everyone. Some people's blackheads are far deeper in the pore than others SO the strips may pull out some but not all. Extractions (physically removing the blackhead yourself) are the only way to remove the blackhead if it is deep down in the pore.

Extractions are pretty painful (I'm not going to lie) since you have to get the gunk out of a small pore. BUT once it's done, you have a clean pore again. If you are going to do an extraction follow these tips...

1. Steam, ladies, steam. I can't stress this enough. Take a steam-filled shower, hold your head over a bowl of hot water, or lay a towel over your face for 10 minutes. It'e extremely important to open the pore and loosen the blackhead before poking at it.

2. Choose the method that's best for you and your skin. Whether it's rubbing a towel on your face to remove them, using an orange stick or a flat blackhead remover tool, or taking two cotton balls (one for each finger) and press the skin GENTLY around the blackhead, choose the one that's going to cause the least amount of discomfort.

After you're finished extracting, leave the skin alone. Rinse in cool water to close the pore and wait before applying anything else to the skin as you don't want to re-clog the pores. Here is a great article for home-made blackhead remedies... http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Blackheads-(Various-Methods)

**NOTE: I used to get extractions done with my facials though a lot of places no longer offer this service anymore. If this is something of interest to you, I'd recommend finding a spa that offers this method and have them do it. Because I'm so fair, my skin becomes red and scars very easily so I found it best for me to have a professional perform the extractions.

What have you all tried? Anything that has worked exceptionally well?

Razor Bumps...GONE

I am probably the only person I know that doesn't wax.

*GASP*

I know, sometimes even I can't believe it. Get this though, I actually went for a brazilian after my first tattoo. (Not too sure if I was sane at the time or running on adrenaline...) I visited my friend, an esthetician, who was going to complete this torturous event. Went to the salon, we got to chatting as she was setting up and I was trying to be brave the entire time. I think that I am the only person that has EVER done this, but halfway through I look at my friend and yell, "STOP". I got up, explained that I couldn't finish, paid her and walked out to her laughing at me. (love you Julie but seriously, that was the most pain I have ever been in.)

Needless to say, I have never gone back. Which means, yes, I have to use razors.
I am not going to get into picking a razor because that will take me all day, plus, it would cut into a different blog post, but I do want to say that because of shaving, I will get ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Everyone knows what they are and how embarassing they can be since it is beach time. If you are also prone to these unslightly bumps, do I ever have the solution for you.

It's called Tend Skin Liquid. This actually takes away the red bumps, ingrown hairs and irritation. It's also sensitive enough to use on your bikini area OR a man's face and neck. Put some on a cotton ball and rub over the area to soothe the irritation. Within minutes, you'll notice a drastic difference. This will work for people who have just shaved and also the amazing COURAGEOUS ladies who brave waxing.

Try it out ladies and trust me, you will wonder how you lived without something so great.

It's a Pimple Intervention

Yes, as you can see, I am posting about pimples....again. Now, it could be that I woke up this morning with a zit (...or three) on my chin, for which I'm retaliating, OR maybe I just have some great advice......Hmmmmm, food for thought.

Pimples, plain and simple, are the cause of excess oil clogging the pores. Once a pimple has emerged, it can also be spread to other parts of the skin very very quickly. Because of this, touching, squeezing, or picking is never advised. (But, come on, who actually listens to that.) Here are some great tips to actually prevent pimples....

1. Drink Water. Yes, we all know this. Weird thing is it actually works. Water is going to flush the toxins out of your body thus aiding in the prevention of acne or pimples.
2. Skin Care Regime. This is an absolute must! Develop a regime that involves a cleanser, exfoliant and a moisturizer. Exfoliating is one of the easiest ways to remove dirt and buildup on your skin. Ensure that the exfoliant you're using is gentle and doesn't irritate or dry your face.
3. Ponytails. For all the ladies with long hair ensure that you get it off your face when sleeping. If you are a fan of product, like I am, and don't wash your hair before bed, like me, just think of all that junk touching your skin. (Dry Shampoo, pomade, hair spray, hair masks.....sorry, just thinking what would be touching my skin if I had long hair...)
4. Pillowcases. Okay...I am not saying to wash your sheets every day or anything but changing your pillowcase every night will actually help. Our hair touches the pillowcase, then our faces touch it.....you get my drift
5. Wash It Off. You definitely want to remove the make-up before you sleep. Whenever I sleep in make-up, and yes, I have done so a few times, it always seems that I get a new pimple the next day. When you sleep, it's best to let your skin breathe so remove the daily face and put on a great night cream. You'll notice a major difference.
6. No Picking. Umm, I'm bad for this one. The last thing I want is to walk around with a big whitehead, so if you MUST touch it make sure that your hands are clean. (I find it best to only pick something after I've cleansed my face). Also, put a tissue in between your fingers and use the tissue to touch the actual zit, instead of your hands. (Less spreading this way.)
7. No Washcloths. This is something that my mom told me back when I was in high school. Washcloths, though clean, still harbour bacteria. Try not to use a washcloth when washing your face. I went out and bought a natural facial sponge that I use and have noticed a vast improvement to my skin. Also, change the towel you dry your face on often. Bacteria builds up everywhere and the last place we want it is on our face!

This tips will help greatly. Trust me on that. Also, if I have missed anything, let me know as I would love to be able to expand on this list.