Look after your skin! Women AND Men

This is not me when I was at my worst in 2012 ; it got worse. But my skin has recovered hugely with a little help! 

As you see, I don't want to walk round with these scars.

12 weeks after this picture above was taken, here I am at my son's wedding. May 2012.

Skin is a soft outer tissue which covers our muscles and bones. It sheds and replaces itself but still needs looking after despite this shedding. If it is damaged deep down it scars and doesn't fully recover but scars can fade in time and also with a bit of effort. 

Genetics

Our skin is genetically passed down. It is in our DNA. My DNA is largely Irish through my female lines and Irish women do tend to have lovely skin. This has been passed down to me. I am fortunate to have it. I have done nothing to inherit it. 

Diet 

Good skin needs vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, minerals and anti-oxidants. These are found in good nutritional foods such as salad foods, vegetables and fruit plus dairy. I eat eggs and fruit in a morning, a salad at lunchtime and a protein, veg and fruit meal at evening time. This keeps my body able to work properly and this impacts on my skin. 

Exercise

Exercise, especially aerobic, oxygenates the blood and so gives an instant glow to the skin. Exercise also helps the body to make collagen which is a protein that helps keeps elasticity in the skin. 

Therefore genetics, diet and exercise all play a part.

My lovely husband and sons were just glad that I was going to be able to attend. They didn't mind what my face was like. But I had to do something and the skin care routines and products have stayed with me 6 years later. 

It’s been a painful process and I am just reaching closure on it. I have been unable to talk about let alone show how ghastly I looked. But I am ready and hope this may help someone somewhere. For the wedding photo I had a skin care routine and very good make up. 

Once the scabs had gone, the very last scabs had fallen off and my face was scarred and red raw, I went into a very good department store to the make-up department. I covered my face with a scarf and told the girls at the shop counter. You would think these girls saw faces like mine every day of the week. They were so lovely, discreet and professional. They recommended Clinique skin care and make up for my sensitive face. 

After 2 weeks, I had a very gentle facial every 4 weeks at a local salon and come the day, I was able to cover my scars and look like I did above. 

I have had ophthalmic shingles again since. 

The skin care regimen has stayed with me though.  

Cleanse, tone and moisturise that is what it comes down to. Don't forget to exfoliate... remove dead skin cells too. 

I use two scrubs, a gentle daily scrub/ exfoliate by Clinique and once a week a cleanse with a stronger apricot scrub to exfoliate more firmly. These are pictured above.

Then I use a toner to rinse any excess exfoliate.

I use a moisturiser and some fine loose powder that's it. I have to keep my make up very light if at all. My skincare actually means I need less and less make-up. 

Thank you. This has been difficult for me but very beneficial in regard to coming to terms with my scarring. I am a bit tearful just now writing this, but I have done it. Closure.

Here's me 6 years on, no make up.