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Monday, March 26, 2012

Vive la French Women!

After a day of extensive research, I've culled articles from credible sources that aim to unravel the famous French Paradox and clue us in on why the French women look as good as they do despite eating fatty food. After all, the fat-laden 'foie gras' is a French term, is it not?

If given a choice, I'm sure everybody would rather be the skinny bitch than the fat hag. Haha. But that said, you don't have to be either of the two extremes. I would be comfortable with the middle ground--neither morbidly obese, nor anorexic skinny--but healthily slender.

This is a summary of everything I've read thus far, lovingly consolidated by yours truly:


The French woman's diet is more lifestyle and philosophy than a diet consisting merely of do and do not foods, according to Mireille Guiliano, author of the best-selling book "French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure." It is a lifestyle of learning to live in the moment for that "joie de vivre" and feasting on foods that taste good.



Despite a diet stuffed with cream, butter, cheese and meat, just 10 per cent of French adults are obese, compared with Britain’s 22 per cent, and America’s colossal 33 per cent. The French live longer too, and have lower death rates from coronary heart disease – in spite of those artery-clogging feasts of cholesterol and saturated fat. This curious observation, dubbed ‘the French paradox’, has baffled scientists for more than a decade. And it leaves us diet-obsessed women smarting.

Vanity
In Chic and Slim: How Those French Women Eat all that Rich Food and Still Stay Slim, Anne Barone seeks to unravel the puzzle. As it turns out, it's all about knickers. 'Never underestimate the power of a black lace garter belt,' she writes. 'Even French women's lingerie helps to keep them slim, [it's] a constant reminder to make choices that pay off in slimness. Their belief in this principle is demonstrated by the fact that there are almost as many lingerie shops in Paris as bakeries.' Vanity, it seems, is a very useful vice if you want to fight the flab.

Take pleasure from food
To the French woman, eating is a leisurely experience. In Singapore, we often wolf down meals in record time or eat while driving or sitting at our desks. But the French appear to have all the time in the world to sit around and dine. “The mind is the French woman’s ultimate firewall against getting fat, and the senses are, of course, the portals to the mind. Through them we take in the world—its flavours, its textures, its sounds and its smells. We sit down and eat for pleasure, using all of our senses,” Mireille Guiliano, author of the best-selling book French Women Don't Get Fat, has said.

What she means is: eat what you love. Just make the space to appreciate your food fully. This means not eating your lunch while checking your emails—it’s about not multi-tasking when you’re enjoying food so that you connect with what you’re eating. If it’s chocolate you adore, that’s okay! Just eat a small portion and concentrate on it fully. You’ll need less of it that way.
Low-carb diets have many of us saying no to white foods like bread and pasta, but in France, everyone seems to be toting a fresh baguette to bring home. "You need to eat a large volume of bread or pasta for the calories to add up, and most of the time, French meals are quite light and portions are small," according to French diet expert David Benchetrit, MD.

Cutting down on Carbohydrates may not help
Doctor François Baudier of the CFES reports that 'the French, in contrast to Anglo-Saxons, hardly ever snack outside of meals'. One reason for this is that their fat-rich diet stimulates the production of cholecystokinin, a satiety signal which promotes an extended sense of satisfaction after eating even small amounts of high-fat foods. Brie-eaters stay fuller longer.

But, cutting down on Processed Food will help
Instead of an addiction to 'invented foods' full of hydrogenated oils, E numbers and preservatives, the French way, even today, focuses on the careful preparation of unprocessed foods. It's why French women ration themselves to one rich, dark square of real chocolate rather than hogging-out on a preservative-laden, pre-frozen, half-chemical wodge of pseudo-foodo. Snobbery, alongside vanity, is an asset in the war against weight. (Consider, by contrast, the disheartening fact that the market for ready meals in the US grew by 39 per cent from 1999 to 2003; the $3 billion market for 'food bars' is expected to more than double by 2007.) When they get those enviable produits du terroirs home, French people, it seems, naturally exercise strict portion control. 

Eating slowly promotes physiological negative feedback
Dr Andrew Hill, senior lecturer in behavioural sciences at Leeds University, agrees. ‘Eating in France is a social activity. There are several but small courses, with plenty of time between courses for the physiological feedback to kick in.'

The unhurried approach to eating extends even to France's Big Mac generation. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found ‘from observations in McDonald's that the French take longer to eat than Americans. Ironically, although the French eat less than Americans, they seem to eat for a longer period of time, and hence have more food experience.'

Aiming for Quality over Quantity
In their study of why the French remain so much slimmer than Americans, the researchers from the University of Pennsylvania came to the remarkable conclusion that it was because the French ate less. 'Based on observation in Paris and Philadelphia,' they wrote, 'we document that the French portion sizes are smaller in comparable restaurants, in the sizes of individual portions in supermarkets, individual portions specified in cookbooks, and in the prominence of "all-you-can-eat" restaurants in dining guides.'

Make Walking a Way of Life
Guiliano rejects the ''American rule'' of ''no pain, no gain'' and describes exercise machines as a ''vestige of Puritanism: instruments of public self-flagellation to make up for private sins of couch riding and overeating.'' By all means go to the gym if you really love it, she says. Otherwise take the stairs and pick up some weights in the privacy of your own home. She finds walking an indulgence that allows time for ''freedom of thought,'' and says French women walk an average of three times as much as American women do. She proudly reports that during the 2003 blackout she easily made it past the younger people in her building who were huffing and puffing on the stairs.

But sometimes these ''simple values'' seem perhaps too simple for our harried lives. Many of us need the discipline of the gym and don't have time to stroll to the open-air market or set a proper table twice a day. 
Nevertheless, incorporating daily physical activity into our hectic routines would certainly go a long way in helping us shed the pounds. Besides, taking an evening walk after dinner is a way to unwind and relax after a long day. The point is to get moving.

Beat the Stress
Learn to relax. Stress is a major factor in weight gain for women, as well as heart conditions and other health issues. In America (and just about every other developed nation), it seems that just about everyone suffers from chronic stress. Stress hormones like cortisol block weight loss. The body interprets extended stress as famine and stores body fat to offset starvation. Prolonged stress can also lead to chronic inflammation and adrenal fatigue. Many women with adrenal fatigue crave sweets, which can exacerbate the already rapid weight gain process. 

Eat Yoghurt Everyday
Yogurt is a dietary staple that helps French women manage their hunger. Guiliano says most French women eat one or two yogurts a day, often at breakfast -- and especially after an evening of overindulgence to help balance out the calories.


According to Guiliano, the calcium content helps block your body’s absorption of fat.
"Yogurt is the perfect food because it is high in calcium, has carbohydrates, protein, and fat - everything you need in every meal," she says.

When you wake up, drink two glasses of water
After a big long sleep your body has gone without water from anywhere between seven and ten hours (sometimes more). Even though you may not feel like drinking, your body will be craving water. Answer this with two glasses, first thing in the morning.




Sources: (not in proper citation style)
Brogan, Rosie. (2011, Jan 17) “The Best Tips from ‘Why French women don’t get fat’.”Blackmores Australia. http://www.blackmores.com.au/wellbeing-blog/the-best-tips-from-Why-French-women-dont-get-fat
Craig, Gemma. (2011, Aug 18) “How to Keep Slim by Following a French Woman’s Diet.” eHow. http://www.ehow.com/how_2151568_slim-following-french-womans-diet.html
Egan, Pamela. “Female Weight Gain: Why am I gaining weight?” Pamelaegan.com. http://www.pamelaegan.com/articles/weight-gain.htm
Reed, Julia. (2005, Feb 6) “'French Women Don't Get Fat': Like Champagne for Chocolate.” The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/books/review/06REEDL.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&position=
Spencer, Mimi. (2007, Nov 4) “Let them eat Cake.” The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2004/nov/07/foodanddrink.features11
Zelman, Catherine. (2006) “How the French Stay Slim.” WebMd Weight Loss Clinic – Expert Column. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=62088

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Intolerable pain after CoolSculpting

I only have myself to blame. Once again. I'm 23 and slim by all accounts, just that I have a small bulge on my lower abdomen due to my laziness. I do Pilates and Yoga, but I guess I could have focused more on abdominal crunches or whatnot.

Anyway, I went ahead and burned S$1500 of hard-earned cash on Zeltiq Coolsculpting done on my lower abdomen. Too late to lament.

Process of Coolsculpting. Image grabbed from: http://www.aristocratps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CoolSculpting_ZELTIQ_Illustration_Chart-380x881.jpg



As I'm writing this, I'm experiencing severe bouts of shooting pain that's extremely debilitating. In the words of a Realself user whom I will quote verbatim, I'm experiencing "severe shooting pain like small kni(ves) piercing, more needles, worsening burning, constant pain as if someone brutally punched in my abdomen." Except that it's not really the punching kind of bruising pain for me, but sharp stabs of stinging pain, as though a bee the size of a baseball were stinging me repeatedly. It comes, stays for about a minute or so, then leaves. I'm 5 days post-procedure, but the pain is not abating at all. For the first three days, I experienced no pain at all. My period even came one day post-procedure and my menstrual cramps were abnormally much better than how they usually are. My tummy felt like it was frozen. It was numb, a little swollen and tingling, but otherwise perfectly fine. I went about doing everything normally, from the physically demanding to the not-so-demanding. But yesterday my tummy started to 'thaw', or at least, felt like it started to thaw. I suppose when it thaws, or defrosts, I'd be able to feel the sharp sensations of pain. First it felt like the pins-and-needles kind of itchy pain but oh, good days don't last long. I woke up last night several times cause it hurt so badly! And sleeping on my side helped, but only marginally. Frankly speaking, I'm in so much pain I don't know if this was worth it. And this is coming from a person who has an extremely high threshold of pain. I can confidently say so cause I have spinal problems and have done really painful chiropractic/Chinese tuina treatment on my back, extracted my teeth (and wisdom teeth) without taking painkillers, and have also done braces. Anybody who has done braces would be able to attest to the pain you have to go through when four teeth are extracted at the same time. I think I did take a mild painkiller for my wisdom teeth removal cause my teeth were the impacted, fully perpendicular, problematic kind which required a complicated removal surgery. The teeth extraction had me rolling in pain for about two days.

But this....................isn't even supposed to be surgery, right? The doctor kept emphasising that it was non-surgical! And the nurses (oh curse them!) told me that I MAY experience pain on the third day, but it would be like a muscle ache. And since I didn't experience any pain during the procedure, I probably wouldn't experience any significant pain three days post-procedure.

BULLSHIT!!! I'm being continuously stabbed inside my stomach, it feels like a bloody war is going on inside my abdomen! OH CURSE IT!
I NEED PAINKILLERS!

At first I thought it was my tight underwear that worsened the pain. But even when I'm not wearing tight underwear, the pain is still very much there. Lightly stroking the area doesn't help at all too. It just feels quite itchy when I lightly stroke it, but that itch would transmogrify into a stinging pain again. Which is what is happening right now at this moment.  
I really wanted to make a photo collage of the Before pictures, but I am in too much pain to do that now.

I shall copy and paste what I read on the Internet about the intense pain. Thankfully there's an online community that discusses it. I am so in need of any kind of support, since I cannot tell anybody I know about this. It's just far too embarrassing.

Very few coolsculpting patients experience extreme pain


There are multiple factors that determine each individual’s experience with CoolSculpting. Each patient has a different comfort threshold, though only a very small percentage of CoolSculpting patients experience extreme pain. Another factor may be where the patient is treated. For some individuals, certain areas may be more sensitive than others. It’s important for patients to research CoolSculpting providers to find a CoolSculpting Certified Practice to ensure that providers are adequately trained and experienced in the use of CoolSculpting technology. Once you’ve done this, your provider can determine if you’re a suitable candidate.

Atlanta Dermatologic Surgeon 

To the doctor who wrote this: Please have the procedure done yourself, then you'd understand what hundreds of RealSelf members are talking about.

And out of the hundreds of posts, I quite like this one for its vivid descriptiveness:

Hawk30 (9 posts) 29 Nov 2011
Today is my 8th day after zeltic on my lower abdomen and both flanks. Despite reading a lot on net, I am shocked at how painful and miserable post treatment days can be. Treatment itself is not much different from what most people have described here. Days 1 to 4 were ok as there was numbness, firmness and somewhat swelling. Day 5: I started feeling pins, needles, burning, and shooting pain, couldnt sleep at night due to frequent awakenings. Day 6: severe shooting pain like small knife has pierced, more needles, worsening burning, constant pain as if someone brutally punched in my abdomen. COuld not sleep at all at night. Day 7: Above symptoms got more worse. Decided to take next day off from work. Called doctor who downplayed all my complaints reassuring 'this will be over' and 'you are the only one i have had so far who is having this much pain' Day 8: shooting pain much less frequent, burning comes and goes and constant pain like post-punch. Bottom line is, the doctors performing this procedure are 'choosing' not to believe patients because : a) they have been brain washed by zeltic reps b) financial obligations and fear of early unpopularity c) they had procedure on themselves and didn't have significant symptoms. The third scenario is worse as such doctor will not empathize with the patient. I recommend that before you go for this procedure, talk to doctor about possibility of these symptoms and make sure they are willing to try and help- ie. different pain medications, nerve blocker like neurontin, lidocaine patch etc. My doctor does not believe that I am having pain enough to prescribe a narcotic or anything and kept telling me that this is only temporary. Well , so is the pain after abdominal surgery! but that doesn't mean one has to tolerate this and count days until it is over.




To let you have a clearer idea of what kind of pain is plaguing me, I feel like throwing up. And the bile has literally risen up my throat several times yesterday and today. It's the roll-your-eyes, please-kill-me-now kind of pain that takes your breath away. I really hope it'll go away soon and not be the way Hawk30 described it. It is only Day 5 today but I don't think I can take another day of this. Tomorrow I'll call the doc for pain medication if the pain refuses to go away.

Suddenly I have new-found respect for people who undergo surgery just to look beautiful.

Update: I just found a way to alleviate the pain! At the recommendation of one of the RealSelf users, I tried putting something cold (an aluminium can from the fridge) on the treated area. Now I'm temporarily anaesthesised. Thank God. Sweet relief! Let's see how long this will last. 4 minutes have passed thus far.

Postscript: Yes, it lasted for only 4 minutes. I couldn't stand it and went to the clinic where I did my procedure five days ago. It was my first appointment with the attending doctor, (a young) Dr Chua, but he made me feel totally at ease. Similar to Hawk30's situation, the Doc didn't think that it was serious enough to warrant nerve blockers or topical anaesthesia. I tried to describe how stinging the pain was, and how debilitating it could get, but he said that it shouldn't be too bad. Cause he's only had one patient complain about post-procedural pain. Oh, really?! He then went on to say that that patient's had it much worse, cause even the feel of fabric against her skin would trigger pain. But yes, this is happening to me too! I don't even need to touch it, I told him. It would come spontaneously. So he prescribed me a painkiller, Ponstan, generally prescribed for menstrual cramps. Now I'm telling you, I am extremely sensitive to all forms of drugs. So I was surprised to find that two hours after taking the pill, I was still writhing in pain. He also prescribed me a Hyaluronic Acid-based cream, Restylane. He said that if I massage it on, I'll moisturise the area. How this would help, I have no idea. I have massaged it on twice so far, and as expected, it didn't work at all. He's such a dear though; he didn't charge me for the medication! :D He also talked to me as though I were his peer. I love it when doctors use clinical terms to describe my condition; I was a premed student after all, and clinical terms EXCITE me. Don't treat me like a dumbass and speak to me in layman terms. The more esoteric your jargon is, the more excited I'll get! :D

He probably thought I was making a mountain out of a molehill. But, oh, I do not cry wolf! My pain is unfortunately very real and not imagined.

I'm in my sixth day and I find myself counting the days...Dr Chua says that this hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to touch) may last till the 10th day...oh, Dear Lord, please... take this pain away.

Right now the stabbing pain has just transmuted into a stinging, itchy pain. The area around my navel is excruciatingly itchy. I've had to wear a dress to work today, and I realised that the Doc was right--don't let fabric touch that area. I'm wearing shorts now and it feels much worse.    

So, my interim solution is this:

1) Soothe my extra-sensitised nerves by applying a cold pack (an aluminium can straight out from the fridge works really well) to the treated area

2) stay away from tight clothing, and wear dresses as much as possible

I stroke the tortured tummy ever so often, but it does nothing but aggravate my condition.

3) Alternate between cursing and praying. Haha, now you know why my prayers don't work.  Not

Second Update: It is the 28th of March today, which is also the 13th day since I did the procedure. The pain has largely subsided, but the sensitivity is still there. Not so sensitive that I'd cringe at the whisper of a touch, but sensitive enough to cause me mild discomfort when wearing tight jeans. That said, I was finally able to wear jeans today. For the past two weeks I've had to wear dresses cause fabric coming into contact with my skin was painful as hell. To the people out there who are considering Coolsculpt, I'd advise you to think twice. Of course the aftereffects would vary from person to person, but nobody, not even the most qualified of doctors, can guess at what your recovery would be like. Either way, be prepared for up to 6 or 7 nights of poor-quality sleep. The pain would literally wake you from your already-fitful sleep several times a night.

By the way, the doctors have told me that I'd only see results after 28 days. I also did research prior to the procedure. So I'm giving it time before evaluating the results, and would definitely post the Before and After pictures in two weeks' time.   

Thursday, March 15, 2012

URBAN Article: Effective Ingredients for Beauty Products


The Straits Times Singapore

March 9, 2012 Friday

Effective ingredients for beauty products;
This is a column that cuts through the industry spiel and jargon to give you the bare facts

SECTION: URBAN; Shopping Briefs; Beauty basics


  There may have been a slew of health scares related to beauty products and ingredients, but some have been proven to work. Here are eight tried-and-tested ingredients that address various needs.
Retinol
   This is a form of vitamin A that is medically proven to stimulate cell renewal and result in younger-looking skin.
   It improves skin tone and reduces the appearance of pigmentation spots. It is also commonly used to treat acne-prone skin as it encourages cell turnover. 
   Doctors may prescribe tretinoin, which is a stronger form of retinol. It is a prescription cream because it may cause redness and peeling in some patients.
Ceramides
   Ceramides are naturally occurring fatty substances, called lipids, that form part of the structure of the skin's surface.
   They help retain moisture in the skin and keep it smooth and glowing.
   Ceramides in creams are absorbed by the skin to replace the depleted ceramides in the skin's structure, thus helping to repair the skin.
   They are used to soothe and heal dry, damaged and sensitive skin.
   They can be used to relieve the itch caused by eczema, but those with acne-prone skin should avoid them as they may be too rich.
Antioxidants
   Antioxidants are the molecules that neutralise free radicals, naturally occurring particles that are one of the major causes of DNA damage.
   DNA damage results in the signs of skin ageing, which include wrinkles, pigmentation, skin discoloration and sagging skin.
   Antioxidants form a protective barrier on the skin's surface to neutralise free radicals before they cause damage to the skin's cells.
   Common antioxidants used in skincare products include vitamins C and E, idebenone, coenzyme Q10, niacinamide and green tea extract.
Hyaluronic acid
   This gelatinous substance is a humectant, which absorbs and binds to water molecules, hence boosting the skin's moisture levels.
   It sits on the surface of the skin to lock moisture in.
   This film also helps to give the appearance of firmer, line-free skin.
   When applied, it imparts a refreshing sensation to the skin, which makes it a popular ingredient in serums and moisturisers.
   It is suitable for all skin types.
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
   This is a naturally occurring acid found in plants, fruits and animals.
   AHAs include citric, glycolic, malic and tartaric acids.
   They are applied to the skin to dissolve the top layers of the skin to reveal younger looking skin.
   The skin is stimulated to produce new skin cells in this way.
   They are used to remove blemishes and pigmentation on the surface of the skin, and also reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles.
   Off-the-shelf exfoliators typically contain AHA in weak enough concentrations to be tolerated by most skin types, although those with sensitive skin should avoid these products.
   A doctor can also perform a peel using a higher concentration of AHA.
Peptides
   These are short chains of amino acids, which are the basic building blocks of proteins.
   They are small enough to be absorbed by the skin and can trigger cells into action.
   Although peptides have many functions, the ones used in skincare activate the cells into producing collagen.
   Collagen is a protein found in the skin that helps it maintain its plumpness for a wrinkle-free appearance.
Salicylic acid
   This acid is commonly used to treat mild acne.
   It works by exfoliating the top layers of the skin's cells to promote cell turnover, similar to the way AHAs work.
   It is not as strong as benzoyl peroxide, which makes it suitable for milder cases of acne.
   It can also be applied to patches of skin which are plagued with small bumps.
Benzoyl peroxide
   The exact action of benzoyl peroxide is not known but it is believed to have antiseptic properties, that is, it kills bacteria.
   It also helps to dry out acne pustules.
   As it is a stronger chemical compared to salicylic acid, it should be used only on more stubborn bumps.
   Over-the-counter creams are generally well tolerated by most skin types, but doctors can prescribe stronger formulations.
   Use this only for spot treatment, instead of spreading it over a patch, as it can irritate the skin.
~ KAREN TEE
Copyright 2012 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

iS clinical

iS Clinical's Acne Kit System, from StrawberryNET


In a bid to enhance the appearance of my shallow but visible pitted scars, I consulted Dr Lee from The Sloane Clinic. I would blog about my positive experience at The Sloane Clinic another time, when I actually decide what to do with my scars. Surprisingly, Dr Lee was very forthcoming and told me that I didn't have to do anything with my scars. Especially given the fact that my walk-in interview was only a month from the consultation, it would be extremely risky to undergo Fraxel. Also, apparently Fraxel may cause skin discolouration which may take some time to heal. In the end, we decided on a session of Microdermabrasion since there wasn't any downtime. 

Or so I thought. 

There was downtime. I was able to resume normal activities immediately after the procedure, despite the pinkish tinge on my cheeks and forehead, but my face turned scarlet red towards the second half of the day (I did it in the morning). It really looked and felt like a sunburn, except that nobody in my family bought that. On the second day, my face was still pinkish, but didn't burn as much as the night before. My skin felt raw and red, and I tried to avoid the sunlight as much as possible. On the third day, the redness had all but subsided, and I was left with a healthy-looking glow. I kind of looked like I had blush on.  By the fourth day, all traces of redness were gone, and my skin really emanated a deathly pallor healthy glow. My skin was a tone lighter, and my pitted scars were still there, but everything else looked smoother. I used to have small pimples on my forehead, and a few pigmented spots on my cheeks, but they had all but disappeared. For the first time in my life I felt like I had good skin. And this hadn't gone unnoticed; people complimented me on my radiant skin.

That said, I've done extensive research on microdermabrasion and am aware that quick fixes usually come with downsides. One caveat is that the crystals used in the microdermabrasion device will probably be inhaled since they are so tiny and can enter your airways during the procedure. My eyes were covered, and so were my ears, but my nostrils weren't. And I don't think it could have been cause I would have suffocated to death if they were to have been stuffed with cotton. Bottom line is, you can go for it once or twice, but if you were to do it every single month for the rest of your life, then wow, you'd be inhaling enough crystals to turn you into a walking crystal mine!  

Anyway, I digress. Dr Lee prescribed iS Hydracool Serum as a moisturiser. He mentioned that I should apply it three times a day for the next four days. I dutifully followed his instructions, and am still doing it twice a day, every single day. Why? Because Hydracool really performs well as a moisturiser. I was rather wary of it when I first applied it and felt the cooling, or some would say, tingling sensation. But the ingredients seemed wholesome enough, aside from the alcohol content. Also, Dr Lee assured me that it was gentle enough for people with sensitive skin, or patients who had just undergone ablative laser procedures. 
Indeed, what I noticed about Hydracool was that you only need to spread four tiny drops of it on your face, but its moisturising powers last a whole day! Your skin feels silky to the touch upon application, and it controls the oily shininess (and the dryness) in your skin without feeling heavy. I have combination skin, and the areas outside of my T-Zone can be chronically dry and patchy. It is most horrible. Thanks to Dermalogica, I managed to get rid of the painful dry red patches. But since I tried Hydracool, I've switched. I intend to alternate between Dermalogica and iS Clinical though, because iS Clinical is just too damn expensive.

Encouraged by the good results of Hydracool, I decided to get more iS Clinical products over the Internet. Cause it's cheaper, of course. Though only marginally. I was quite disappointed to see that the set that I got from StrawberryNET isn't as fresh as I wanted it to be; the expiry date was the start of 2013. Dr Lee's products are much fresher. Hydracool, for instance, has an expiry date in the second half of 2014. 

I've read so many rave reviews about iS Clinical's Active Serum. Here's my take on it (to be updated):

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Bio-oil

The pimple-like raised bumps on my arms recently got worse. In a desperate bid to find out what that condition was, I called a few dermatological clinics. And did extensive research. Thank God those dermatological clinics hadn't picked up. If not I would have wasted another few hundred bucks. Spending money without thinking (otherwise known as splurging :( ) is something I do very well. 

I found out the name of this unsightly condition: Keratosis Pilaris. Sounds horrid, and indeed, while the condition is hardly debilitating or life-threatening, it is horrid. 
Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which a protein in the skin called keratin forms hard plugs within hair follicles. (Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) 
So...I read that it is genetic? Why is it nobody else in my family has it? Again, I'm afflicted with things nobody else has (like high IQ. Just kidding!). 

I briefly tried Bio-Oil on the affected areas before my walk-in interview, and amazingly, my friend commented that the bumps had cleared up! Of course there are brown scars, but at least they aren't raised anymore.

But as you can tell from the size of my massive arm, I tend to get lazy after some time. Since I got into the said company, I've been letting myself go. Like what I said I would do in the first post. Not only have I been eating with a vengeance, I have also relaxed the hitherto strict skincare routine and stopped moisturising almost altogether. Bad, bad. But since I'm starting training in exactly three weeks, I'd better get my act together or they would realise what a gross-looking slob I am. 

Since Bio-Oil gave me a glimmer of hope, I shall test it for real once more. 


Before: Picture taken on the 8th of March, 2012.

Note the little red raised bumps. They feel like pimples and they even look like pimples. I enjoy squeezing them. Very often, small little oil plugs come out. But they'd mostly come out halfway and remain firmly lodged in the inflamed hive. There are brown spots too, but my iphone camera doesn't capture those well. I don't think my condition is as bad as most of the sufferers of Keratosis Pilaris who posted their pictures online, but I'm pretty sure it's Keratosis Pilaris. Maybe I'll ask a dermatologist next time. (Truth is, I probably wouldn't. I'm too ashamed to show my marred skin.)
I'll monitor the situation and post pictures of the affected area in a week.
                                       
                                             After: Picture taken on 13th of March, 2012
As you can see, the affected area has more or less cleared up.There are still light brown marks but I'm very satisfied with the results. I'll continue to use it continuously for two months, as instructed on the label, and check if the brown pigments clear up. I know my skin looks darker in the 'After' picture. I have no idea why! Perhaps cause I've been walking in the sun without sunblock.

Review of Product: 8/ 10
Pros: 
  1. Relatively cheap
  2. Oil is easily absorbed into skin and skin feels smooth for a few hours after. I have chronically dry skin, so I'm sure results will vary from person to person.

Cons: 
  1. Cloying, artificial scent that screams "Artificial Parfum". The scent lingers on your body for the whole day. I think it smells really cheap, like scented mineral oil. 
  2. Small bottle that doesn't last long, but Hey! If it works, I'm not complaining.
That said, I'll monitor this product for a month more, and see if it causes breakouts. For women, hormones are the main cause of breakouts many a time, so I'd look to see if this oil can withstand the hormone fluctuations that we undergo during our menstrual cycle.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Catty Comments

At the risk of sounding petty, I'm detailing this to remind myself in future that my sister is easily jealous, so I should always be on my guard.

Auntie Emily mentioned that Audrey didn't pass the interview because of the swimming round. Not because she was a weak swimmer, but because she was too skinny to look good in a swimsuit. My sister immediately said, rather helpfully indeed, that I would not have been able to make it if they still kept that round in the interview, since I 'wouldn't be able to hide my fats'. She went on to say, 'she was able to pass cause she wore flattering clothes that hid her stomach. If she had been wearing a swimsuit, she would have to bare her real figure.' I paraphrase but you get the gist.

During the dinner at Imperial Treasure, she mentioned that the standards of THE airlines has dropped considerably, and it wasn't like how it was in the past when being a Girl was extremely prestigious. Now graduates would rather take up proper jobs in companies that pay better. Oh yes, go on and put me down. She's also pointedly implying that standards are low now, which is why I managed to get in. Which she alluded to time and again throughout the dinner.


Maybe I'm being petty. But you'd care to note that I'm curbing my tongue and ending my ranting here. There were other things she said, but I understand that this is who she is and it was after all, her birthday celebration today. Viva la Clara!

I know I'm not nearly as attractive as you, and I really don't care...just please stop putting me down in front of others.

What irked me the most was when she insisted I took some slimming supplement/pill from Fancl, which I didn't.


On a side note, I found this on my table when I got home. My father borrowed the books for me. Sometimes I really feel that he's more excited about training than I am. It must be because he thinks I'd be rolling in money as a FA. Everything he's interested in has got to do with money. I will always remember how his eyes light up whenever he hears the word 'money' or 'salary', and somehow, he'd appear from nowhere if you talk about money to anyone. And he'd hover around like a housefly eavesdropping, and clap if he hears that you'd be earning something, however paltry the sum is.