End of May update: Summer is coming

 Update: May 27 2022

Life being on fire is part of life, right? We can't control the fact that we are living through an apocalypse, nor can I control the weather, or how other people will react to my actions. all of these things play a part in our mental AND physical health. I think that's something that many people don't realize: you can't just take a pill and think it will cure everything. 

I have found that having Darier's or Keratosis Follicularis is something that you have to look at the WHOLE picture that is your life. What are you eating? What are your stressors? What are the products that you use on your skin and hair... 

The anti histamine diet reminded me that food is a huge contributor, at least for me, when it comes to flare ups and overall skin health. My skin is looking pretty great post diet, but also I reintroduced many triggers from that list (namely gluten, peanuts, and shellfish) with little reaction (thank goddess) but I did stay off of soy milk as my go-to grab, I am now on oat milk and almond milk for coffee and tea and when cooking. 

My face with no makeup, just moisturizer (and not enough sleep!) is very clear, I think the OMEGA and Primrose have been helping my mask wearing irritations as well. Less red overall. 

Notice the Keratosis is minimal and is light pink, not really raised or bumpy, not irritated,

I really like the body wash they suggested: CeraVe has a whole line of products I just might need to get into after using this:

I was also given this advice on follow up: 

For skin:

Ground flaxseed: please consume 2 tbsp freshly ground flaxseeds each day. Add to meals or mix and drink in water. You may divide the dose to 1 tbsp twice per day if needed. Ensure you are drinking enough water throughout the day as increased fibre consumption from flax may cause constipation.

If purchasing flaxseeds whole; grind 1/2 to 1 cup in coffee grinder or blender. Freeze remaining amount to be used throughout the week. If purchasing flaxseed powder, ensure it is freeze-dried and stored in fridge/freezer. Flaxseeds are susceptible to oxidation from light and heat.

We recommend that you discontinue taking ground flaxseed should you experience any adverse effects.

Can be found at grocery stores such as Walmart, healthy planet, & or whole foods.

Sunscreen: unfortunately the Supergoop sunscreen we discussed is not sold in Canada. Please see this other great alternative:

La Roche Posay SPF 50 - found at Shoppers: https://shop.shoppersdrugmart.ca/Luxury/La-Roche-Posay/Anthelios-Mist-Spf-50/p/BB_3337872420030

I have yet to introduce these but am happy with the recommendations my naturopathic doctor has given so far. now I just need to find the flaxseed and spray. 

What's working for you?

Darier's White Disorder and wearing COVID-19 face masks

I have been seeing some people talk about how they hate that their new mask wearing routine is making their DWD freak out! I have been having a good reaction to Kiehls Ultra Face Cream and SoonJung creams (as mentioned in a previous blog). It feels nice, no burn, and has really helped create a barrier to the friction of the mask.

Here is more on them:

https://www.etudehouse.com/int/en/index.php/collections/soonjung.html


https://www.kiehls.ca/en/skincare/category/moisturizers/ultra-facial-cream-622.html



And from that time I talked about Black African Soap: http://fightagainstdariersdisease.blogspot.com/2020/02/trying-african-black-soap.html

And that time I talked about trying Korean Beauty Products: http://fightagainstdariersdisease.blogspot.com/2020/01/while-in-korea-beauty-and-skin-products.html

Trying African Black Soap: For acne and Darier's White Disorder

Fun fact: going off pill form birth control and onto a dipped IUD has changed the way my body deals with my hormones and that means my DWD has changed over the past few years, but recently it has changed AGAIN - but it's not exactly the Darier's that's upsetting... it's ACNE?! 

I'm too old for this crap!

I asked my dermatologist what a raw, red, crusted (sounds like DWD!) but with white heads was all about and she confirmed my suspicion: that's not a break out that's acne. GREAT.

So I leaned into some postings in the Darier's White Facebook Group about African Black Soap, this is the one I found and used:

From Mama's Life Product's website:

What it does

Helps remove scars, suitable for all skin types, assists in removing makeup, delays aging of skin, and removes extra oil from skin, excellent for razor bumps and in-grown hairs. Rich in Vitamins A, E & Iron, Revered for having skin nourishing benefits due to an abundance of antioxidants.

How to use it

You can use the Black Soap for showering, bathing, washing your hands, hair and face. Take the Black Soap apart and knead it into a ball to make sure there aren’t any jagged edges, and rub between hands to work into lather.

Key Ingredients & Benefits

100% Unrefined Raw Shea Butter: Shea Butter can be used to treat all of the following skin conditions: Dry Skin, Eczema, Infant Eczema, Stretch Mark Prevention & Minimization, Psoriasis, Arthritis & Rheumatism, Wrinkle Prevention, Diaper Rash, Muscle Fatigue, Scar Minimization & Skin Discolorations, Dry Hair & Scalp and as a natural shaving agent. Shea Butter has been used for centuries for its amazing abilities to renew, repair, and protect the skin. Shea Butter helps to alleviate eczema, soothes sunburn, minimizes stretch marks, long lasting moisturizer, rich in vitamin E, A, and F.

Roasted Plantain Skin: Helps to remove foreign objects and particles from the body. Relieves sunburn, Helps to heal from insect bite, Aids in quicker healing of wounds, Lowers chance of scarring, Treats acne and Rosacea.

Cocoa Pod: Antioxidants, Helps reduce stretch marks, Hydrates skin deeply, Sensitive skin healer.

Coconut Oil: Vitamin E, Assist In Anti-Aging, Rich In Protein, Tissue Repair, Excellent Moisturize For Dry And Hard Skin, Excellent Exfoliant.

Palm Oil: Contains vitamin E, Great anti aging product, Helps skin fight free radicals that damage skin, Deep cleansing, Helps in prevention of skin inflammation.

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Ingredient List: Roasted Plantain skin, cocoa pod, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, palm oil, Shea butter.

Scent: Unscented

I'm in! So I tried it for a week and I am HOOKED:

It definitely helped my raw irritated facial skin; it dried it out without making it sore and itchy. I found that doing it before bed with the Vitamin A cream worked best (in the morning I used my sensitive astringent and a moisturizer **it could be that it's winter here or just the fact that I'm using soap for the first time in ever on my face like this but my skin is thirsty for a good moisturizer. So far I'm making do with the leftovers from Korea but I will need a replacement soon! Something heavy but not oily or perfumed.... I also still did my used coffee grounds as a scrub 2x this week, and avoided the chin area/went over it lightly as it hurt so much.

No makeup in my pictures, and they were taken after washing my face with the soap. The lights are so bright that you don't really get to see how red and raw it was. 

I am going to keep this for a while and I think once my Aveeno sensitive skin wash runs out I may switch to this as an all around body wash too (though I will have to secure a good body lotion as it is drying) any suggestions on what you use for body lotion and facial moisturizer is welcome! Leave me a comment to tell me what works for you!