I live in South Florida, and while not having a winter can be pretty cool sometimes (or warm that is) I’m not sure the skin damage combined with the acne from the humidity is worth it.  Once a being of fair and radiant porcelain skin many would wonder at, I am now one of the derma-suffering. Friends and strangers try to help.

“I heard swimming helps. The chorine really dries you out.”

“What are you eating? Stay off the milk and cheese.” 

“Are you drinking enough water?”

They mean well. And I’m sure that there are some things that can really help, but once you’ve ruled out diet and exercise, it’s time to take a look at better products.

First I was using salicylic acid, which in all my research gets great review. I have to say that it will reduce the size of pores and refine skin minimally. This was with strongest dose of 2%. The product, Neutrogena’s ‘Fight and Fade’ boasted that it would also reduce scaring and damage. Again, not so much. I think for someone with very minimal problems like blackheads or enlarged pores this is a good product.

To work it out, I went to the dermatologist today. He quickly provided me with a prescription of a low dose of Retin-A. This is a better route for both skin damage and acne because unlike salicylic acid it peels the skin and helps the skin produce brand new, healthy cells. Salicylic acid is only a drying agent. Because of this, it can also be a wrinkle aid, as in aids in creating more wrinkles. So really a better product for the teens.

I’m not entirely convinced the doctor isn’t part of a greater Retin-A conspiracy, though. When I went to fill the script, the pharmacy informed me that he wrote ‘medically necessary’ for me to have the name brand instead of the generic. Generic=$10 copay Name=$60 copay …… What exactly is this medical necessity? Does each ‘medically necessary’ script score lobster tail and a randy girl?  How would I find that out? 

He also suggested using Dove *BAR* soap and Cetaphil moisterizer with spf.

For now I’m going to try the Retin-A. I’ll update in a month with progress. Here’s my ‘before’ pic. It doesn’t look like much, I know, but it’s terrorizing I swear, especially for a makeup artist!

 Once you’ve gotten the casual-safe-place smile down, try moving up to teachers and coworkers, and that guy who always goes over the 30-minute limit on the elliptical machine. When you’re ready, bring your smile to family brunch and see how your beauty radiates through cousin Gino’s screaming babies and Aunt Dora’s drooling, sad stare. Add a splash of white wine, and you’ll be gorgeous! Your family will think you have that secret love-affair glow. 

***Do not throw your smile around recklessly. The guy in the Save-on parking lot making strange gestures between his figures and pointing at you does not need a smile. If you cannot determine between responsible smiling and reckless smiling, do not smile at all.