E W N W

"Tak Air"

2011-01-17T23:36:00.000+08:00

MY use of TCM for eczema - this is the 3rd week. It has been up and down. It gets better, then now the eczema is back in full force on my face and body. I feel so helpless. I have been trying not to take any steroids, but it is going to be chinese new year soon, and frankly I don't think I can stand it any more. I havent taken steroids for a year. And lately for the past few months, the

TCM

2010-12-21T09:33:00.000+08:00

It has been 2 weeks since I fell ill after a business trip to an emerging country, and while I have gotten better, my skin has not. Out of desperation, I decided to go see a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. I chose one that was recognized by the government and is treated like any doctor in the republic. I was told that I nave insufficient yin, and excess fire within the body (

Several Lemons later & Skin Tablets

2010-11-24T15:45:00.000+08:00

So it has been several lemons worth of hotel lemon honeyed water spiced with olive leaf extract. I have also started taking herbal Skin Tablets. No kidding, that is exactly what they are called. Skin Tablets. Simple as that. I got it from the Holland & Barrett, and it says "a traditional herbal remedy for spots, skin blemishes and dry eczema." The active ingredients are extract of burdock root

Lemon Water Day 2

2010-11-16T09:50:00.000+08:00

I totally forgot that I was supposed to drink lemon water. So this morning I ran over to the supermarket and bought some. There was a sale - a packet of four for $1.20. Just what I want! The regular lemons were 55cents each, a bit pricey if you ask me. For the morning, I used hot water instead of tepid water, since I wanted to make this a tea-like drink. I added the agave honey, and also a

Lemon Water

2010-11-15T17:51:00.001+08:00

I have started drinking water with fresh lemon juice squeezed into it. I am adding agave honey to it so that it is easier to drink. We'll see how it goes. It is supposed to be good for the skin, detox of liver, and general health.

Up and down we go

2010-10-14T17:19:00.000+08:00

For the past 3 days, my skin has been a mess again. When I visited my grandmother in hospital, everyone was shocked at how bad my skin was, and when I look into the mirror, it wasn't even the worst. Now, it is a bit better. I have finished the lecithin tablets, and I am still taking the oral olive extract. Basically there has been no change to my lifestyle. I am also still using the

Forehead is still crinkly

2010-10-07T17:54:00.001+08:00

I have no idea why. The rest of the facial skin is already much better but my forehead is drier than the rest and fine lines are not disappearing.

1/3 Bottle of Serum Used!

2010-09-28T15:27:00.001+08:00

Thanks to my relentless application of serum day and night, and bringing it along with me at home and at work, 1/3 of the first bottle of the desensitizing serum is used up! Placing a mirror by my laptop really reminds and motivates me to apply the serums! I took a anti-histamine this morning since I spotted spots of eczema on the body, and I have been itching more than usual.

Underarm Lymph Node Rash

2010-09-27T13:58:00.000+08:00

It hasn't exactly been the smoothest weekend, so there were some emotional stress. As a result I find that there are some dots, rash around the armpit area, where the underarm lymph node is.

Underslept

2010-09-23T12:43:00.000+08:00

I didn't get anywhere near enough sleep last night, and I am paying the price this morning with extremely low energy. I am reminding myself to drink more water, and to moisturize my skin.

It starts from within

2010-09-22T10:50:00.000+08:00

Today skin isn't so great. There is redness on the forehead, which never really went away, it just ebbs and reddens. 2 days ago I had gastrics, and which affected the skin quality. The body is so interconnected that whenever I am under the weather, my skin suffers. I think it is because the skin is in "emergency" mode to deal with whatever is "down" - be it flu, or gastrics, fever or extreme

2nd of use of Desensitizing serum

2010-09-21T17:10:00.000+08:00

It has been 2 days of using the Airellis Desensitizing Skin Serum. So far there is no adverse effects noticed. The serum is easily absorbed, and does not sit heavily on the skin. If there is any complains I have about the brand, it is the smell of it. The 2 products that I am using now the serum and the moisturizer both have this synthetic smell. The smell is not offensive, but it just doesn't

Starting the First Bottle of Airellis Serum

2010-09-20T09:55:00.000+08:00

It is a kinda exciting start to a week as I am opening a bottle of the Airellis Desensitizing Skin Serum today! This morning, I pumped out the last of the Hada Labo Essence Lotion. I even opened the bottle and tried to get more out, but the Japanese design of the bottle is really quite good with the tube hitting the bottom of the bottle, so there is really none! I am breaking the seal as we

No make-up day!

2010-09-16T12:22:00.000+08:00

Today, my skin is good enough to go sans cosmetics! No foundation and my skin doesn't look blotchy! Without make up, I can see that I have some dark eye circles and freckles on the cheeks and lips. These flaws look very obvious in the glaring fluorescent lighting. Still, it is a step forward that I can restart my no-makeup phase again!

1/3 moisturizing serum to go

2010-09-15T10:55:00.000+08:00

So the boyfriend had some nasty rough cuticles, and I gave him the balance of the Lucas Paw Paw cream as an ointment for him to soothe his fingers. Wahey, what do you know, that means I am done with that cream! Today I brought the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moist Essence EX to office as my "office moisturiser" so that I can apply it multiple times a day. Out of the 30g bottle, there is a

Up and down the roller coaster ride

2010-09-14T18:10:00.000+08:00

Oh my skin condition is really up and down. Today I have a part on my back that is difficult for me to reach, and it has become a dry patch with some redness. Goodish news today is that when I put up the Lucas Paw Paw ointment tube to the sun, I can see that it is less than 1/3 left! because it is an ointment, it is thick and a little goes a long way, and so it is difficult to finish! Oh

So much moisturisers

2010-09-13T10:57:00.000+08:00

I have so many bottles of moisturizers that I have no need to buy them till at least the end of the year, despite the humongous amount I slather on each day. My priority in using them are as follows: 1. Face - Aim to quickly finish up the opened Hada Labo bottles, which is proving to be rather difficult cos a little goes a long way! once that is completed, I can start on the Airellis range.

A Compliment! aka What I did to control my eczema

2010-09-10T02:58:00.008+08:00

Received an observation from a friend today - she complimented me on having improved skin, sway from the bad eczema redness and patches. And then she asked me how I did it. As I explained to her, I made it clearer to myself too. 1. Remove, Reduce irritants. For me, I knew that these factors have had at some point in time irritated my skin, and caused some flare/breakout of eczema. These were

From Lemons to Green Tea Powder

2010-09-07T17:02:00.002+08:00

Am a good girl today, and brought another lemon to work, so that I could have my lemon water. For some reason, today's lemon water tasted bitter, even after I added the olive leaf extract. So, I only drank 2 glasses. Also added the enzyme powder, and that's the last of it. Yesterday's kickstart made me have more bowel movement, which was quite good, as it made me feel like all this effort is of

Precautionary Measures - Lemon Water

2010-09-06T16:32:00.005+08:00

Okay, I don't know if I am being paranoid or not, but my colleague sitting next to me seems to be coming down with something. So I have made a drink from muddled cut lemons and a generous amount of olive leaf extract and iced water as a refreshing booster. :D You can read about some health benefits of drinking lemon water here. The lemon juice acts as a detoxing agent, and the olive leaf

A Busy Weekend with Great Purchases

2010-09-06T16:18:00.000+08:00

The past weekend has been a busy one. Some new additions healthwise. I bought several bottles of Airellis serum - specifically the Airellis Desensitizing Skin Serum (x2) and the Airellis Moisture Power Serum. I also got a large tube of the same brand's Hydra Intense Creme. I did a quick test, and my skin doesn't react adversely to it, so I got a couple of bottles since they were on good

Minor flare

2010-08-26T15:18:00.000+08:00

Despite the skin subsiding, there is a bit of a flare these 2 days, for no reason at all! I am starting to wonder if those dieting/detoxing drinks that I see being sold at Watson are of any good. I am tempted to buy a pack and try. Like the Kinohimitsu J'pan D'tox Plum juice 6 Day Program drink, but then I read a review from My Women Stuff, and it doesn't seem to be working on many. So I think

Kinda hitting a plateau

2010-08-23T23:40:00.000+08:00

I think these 2 days I am kinda hitting a plateau on the condition of my face. I am more concerned with my face of course, but there are some spots on my back and legs, but since the face is the first thing people see when they look at you, it does make me a lot more anxious. Right now, the redness has subsided by quite a bit, but it is still not completely over. There are still spots that

Intensive face moisturising

2010-08-20T10:54:00.000+08:00

Intensive face moisturizing really does help. I am moisturizing my face throughout the day since I work in an air conditioned office, and it can get quite dry. And slowly, the eczema and flares are fading from the face. It has been 5 days since the onset, and without eating any steroids, just applying the steroid creams and antihistamines, it has helped. Last night, I also didnt take the

Self-Medicating

2010-08-18T16:11:00.000+08:00

So. No appointment for the past 2 days with our hotly utilized National Skin Centre, not even when I am on the waiting list. I guess God helps those who help themselves. I have been using every single arsenal available at my disposal. 1. Drinking lots of water. And keep going to the loo. When your pee is clear, and going to the loo interrupts your work, you know you're on the right track.