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Acne Support Group
Welcome to An Acne Support Group in
Cyberspace's Conversation Room


Hello Fellow Cyberians and Welcome!

The Acne Support Group in Cyberspace
is a support group and chat area for everyday people of all ages and walks of life with acne to visit, discuss, share treatments, support each other, and move through the stressful event of having acne.

This is one of many of the Acne Support Groups out there, with the hope that armed with enough knowledge and support, there will one day come a time when we will all live in a world where we all have clear, healthy normal skin.

Anyone is welcome to post and share experiences and/or just have a general "bawl" about how you feel etc! We've all been there!

Good luck to everyone and remember, take what feels right for you, and let the rest go,
and when in doubt, always consult your doctor :)

Feel free to start your own thread discussion, especially when the Board is quiet. If there is anything you'd like to discuss, take the initiative and others will pick up from your thread. Key is love, support and sharing throughout. If a post doesn't appeal to you, please do skip pass it and start your own thread.
Thx - Just Me :-)

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Visits since 15 Feb 2000

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The girl who shows up late!! -- Rianne, 20:30:44 03/17/00 Fri
I have kicked myself several times in the last 10 minutes for being so stupid as to not find this earlier. Please feel free to join in!!!! (joke!!) I've just been reading some of the messages and to think I've missed sooooo much by being computer illiterate (or totally lacking common sense more like!!!). People who know me from the Roaccutane board will know that, like Jasmine, I've suffered from acne for over 20 years - a long, long, long, time and a nightmare. I won't bore you with all the gory details but I can't take Roaccutane and constantly search and search for other cures. I'm currently taking 200mg Minocin Mr antibiotic....it doesn't cure my problem but when I stop taking it all hell brakes loose. I am following the same routine as Marcus (who has helped soooo much and given me hope of curing my acne) i.e. taking zinc, evening primrose oil and saw palmetto. I have always (well, for a long time anyway!) taken milk thistle and acidophilus. I use T Zone Tea Tree face wash and Eryacne 4% antibiotic gel on my skin. Being 35 years old I also need to moisturise too, so for that I use E45 cream. My skin is so oily...it's hard to believe that one person could throw out so much oil in so little time. At times I feel like I will never be free of this acne...it's scarred my face terribly. Anyway, sorry to monopolise the site now!!! Lots of love, luck and thanks again!! Rianne.
At last!!! -- Rianne, 20:03:15 03/17/00 Fri
I just can't believe how stupid I was!!! I've found this board a zillion times but never thought to scroll down and there would actually be messages BELOW!!! (I warned you that I wasn't very clever with this kind of thing....quite an understatement eh??) I've been so busy these last few days and haven't had time to post either to the Roaccutane board or look on the net at all. I could cheerfully sit here all day & night because my skin is so bad and I need to talk to people who know what it is like to have this excruciating "disease". I've had so little time to myself lately & I'm just having to get on as best as I can with this awful skin of mine. Over the weekend I hope to be able to read all the messages/treatments/comments BELOW and hopefully glean something there that will help my skin. It's terrible still. I really don't know what to do at all. So many spots and scars....it's just horrendous. I'll now post a quick message (if there such a thing as a "quick" message with yours truly??) on the Roac. board & then I'll have to go. Jasmine, I haven't read any of the messages here yet but I hope your skin is settling down. Mine is just so unbelievably bad that I'm finding it very hard to socialise, work, etc. I HAVE to....but oh..... you know EXACTLY how I feel...... It takes up so much of my time taking all these vitamins/minerals/antibiotics etc. (and still my skin is lousy) Also trying to put make-up on as best I can & make myself look presentable (which is impossible). Thanks to everyone and lots of love & luck as always. Rianne. (anyway, got here AT LAST....forgive me for being such an idiot!!!)
Accutane and fatigue -- Ginger, 15:44:53 03/17/00 Fri
Those of you that are on accutane: I know that you've heard many times, but make sure that you're drinking at least 8, 8-0z. glasses of quality water per day. The first sign of dehydration is fatigue. Most people don't know that. Our muscles are made up of 75% water--thus if you aren't drinking, it makes sense that this extremely drying drug will cause major muscle aches!
Jasmine & links -- Just Me, 13:43:24 03/17/00 Fri
Hi Jasmine, and everyone else - Marcus, Maurice, Kaitlin, Davie, Kelly and all who visit!

Jasmine - it sounds worrying re the orange patch of skin. I wonder whether whether the cream is too strong for you - ie you know when you sometimes use a benoxide (? spelling) cream and it really really dries out your skin so it peels ie like it was a chemical cream? This is just at a guess from all those years back when I used all the Benoxyl Peroxide creams and everything else I could try! There is a Acne Blemish Treatment Lotion at MotherNature.com that sounds promising ie from the review. There's also Nelson's Acne Gel from MotherNature.com (great reviews) and "Botannical Acne Gel" by MotherNature.com (again great reviews). I may try some - as I still use an acne cream for the spots that I have and to prevent any new ones from coming up etc (just in case!!!). My spots at the moment seem to heal very fast unlike before when I had acne they would stay literally with me for like 6 weeks without budging at all ie they would grow from a spot to a large acne and then would stay large for some 6 weeks or so before starting a healing process!

Anyway, where was I ... oh, the orange colouration ... I hope it goes well at the Dermatologist on Tuesday Jasmine. If anything, he'll be able to help you (hopefully) - do make sure to tell him all that you're doing and taking. I'm sure there is a simple explanation for it or it's probably just a phase. If I remember rightly, I've had one or two brown patches from using a cream in the past that was too strong and it just went away ie peeled away etc ..

I understand re your hesitation at the moment and concerns re your skin and re the NONO, until you get your normal skin back ie normal colouring, yes, just to be on the safe side, just use it on a few as you've decided to do.

I have to rush now as lunch is over .... wanted to share those links I found yesterday as promised. Davie - will respond tonite to your post .... thanks for sharing it - and thanks too for the inspiration too to do the research and find out more on supplementation etc and inspiring me as well as others reading in :o)!

L&L, JM.

Links are:


Hi -- Jasmine, 13:11:47 03/17/00 Fri
Hi all.Hi Just Me.Thanks again for my No-No lamp.At the moment I'm not quite sure what do to because the Skinoren cream(azelaic acid)that I have been using seems to have turned my skin distinctly orange/brown.I am so worried I didn't even use the cream last night.It has been a month today of using it and just when I thought the acne was getting less a whole new crop have popped up today.I am seeing the derm Tuesday so I've decided to just use the cream once a day until Tuesday.I have rang the NHS and the pharmacist and they both say they have never heard of it turning anyones face orange!Typical!It is definitly orange not just red and sore and they both recommended to carry on with the cream so I thought I would cut down till Tuesday.The whole point of what I'm saying is that because of this I'm a bit wary of the No No while my face seems so discoloured so what I am doing is just trying it out on a couple of the biggest spots to see the difference in the healing time.I will do it 4 times a day for 4 minutes each time and give you all my progress with it.The cheque is in the post.If there is anyone out there with experience with Skinoren or can recommend another topical solution I would be very grateful.Anyway enough of me.Take care all and speak soon.Love Jasminexx
Laughter is the best medicine :) -- Just Me, 09:55:09 03/17/00 Fri
p/s I couldn't get it to work via Netscape though it works automatically on clicking via Internet Explorer. To access it the long way, go to https://justmegmt.tripod.com/Kickdog1.wav

Lots of laughter on me today! JM!! (chuckles) ...
Laughter is the best medicine! -- Just Me, 09:46:56 03/17/00 Fri
Click to listen to KickDog1.wav"

Trust me, it's really funny and I creased up in laughter! It's a wav file (fairly large) and may take a while to load up though definitely worth it!! Have fun! Later :) JM
Reason it's been quiet .. :) -- Just Me, 09:13:19 03/17/00 Fri
Hi Davie - enjoyed reading your message - lots of good stuff! :o) - will respond later as this is a quickie ...

The reason it's been quiet here is that the Board was down four days in a row on and off and more off than on and no one was able to get in, myself included. I checked out the Voy Forum Support Group (see top of page links) and it confirms that the server was under heavy maintenance and that some of the probs were indeed caused by the company/person that was trying to put porn site links on all the Voy Forum sites (yikes!) yes all 5000 plus of them! Must have been some work for someone!! Voy Forums are also updating their Boards and promising some goodies with the new Boards ! I can't wait! Yippee! More fun and more html ability I hope! It's nice to be able to make the page look fun !! Easier on the eyes!

Okay, that was my quickie .... Marcus is on hold for the moment, Jasmine is hmmmmm, busy using her NONO, and Kaitlin couldn't get in last nite ... Maurice is busy working (and so am I (yikes)! though I really really really make an effort to post something, albeit brief (grins) or not!

Will post the zinc sites etc that I found yesterday here and I'm soooooooooooooo glad that the Board is okay this morning and not crashed like it's been ALLLL week! YESSSS!

L&H, JM.
Spelling Apologies -- Davie S, 01:10:13 03/17/00 Fri

Detox -- Davie S, 01:06:11 03/17/00 Fri
Hi all,

Just checking in to see if anyone has found a miracle cure!!! Site seems quieter since I last checked it out(boo hoo!!).

Just me:- The organic style diet is going well. Have been on the rice milk(which is alright!!!) for a few days and kissed goodbye to my last yoghurt at the beginning of the week. Also drinking plenty of water etc.

Have added to my original training supplementation:- added in some selenium ,Burdock root and Echinacea. Despite what most detox articles recommend I am not supplementing on vitamins A and E as they are fat soluble(and hence stored by the body). My selenium and evening primrose oil already contain some vit E and I prefer to eat plenty of carrots(raw grated organic of course) and tomatoes to ensure that I'm receiving sufficient carotenoids/Beta carotene which converts to vit A in the body. Feel as if I could write a book on detox or as we say in Scotland(MA HEEDS BURSTIN).

Many thanks to yourself and Marcus for the inspiration to make these changes. Some of your previous postings/debates have been most helpfull. I reckon even if the skin doesn't improve any at worst it will make me healthier, happier and more able to fight infections.

I've been eating more natural protein, tuna, mackerel, chicken etc, which brings me to my next question. Eggs are usually classed as a dairy product but are obviously not made from milk. Have you read or do you think they are acceptible as they are a good source of protein and natural vitamin A.

Keep up the good work just me, don't know how you find the time.

PS.

Some site administrator sent me an E-mail the other day??

I see from Gills site that someone is taking 300+ mg of zinc daily(NUTTER!!!!!).

Burning the midnight oil so must dash, Oh the joys of working shifts!!

Best Wishes as always from Glasgow UK.
Playing with the fonts and colours -- Just Me, 22:37:06 03/16/00 Thu
Hiya, just playing with the fonts and colours for a bit .... pls bear with me (smiles) during the tests (smiles)! L&L, JM. Nite !
Vitamin E / NONO gadget & Zinc -- Just Me, 22:26:38 03/16/00 Thu
Hi everyone

I tried to post this morning but the Board was crashed and boy was I miffed!  This is the fourth time in a row and I'm pretty sure it's to do wth the porn links that someone is posting which automatically re-directs all people that visit the Forums to the porn sites which is crashing the Voy Forum server.  Well let's hope that the person has stopped now and given up!

Kaitlin, I meant to answer last night that yes, I use the Vitamin E cream twice daily ie once in the morning and once at night.  Also re Zinc, I found a fewlinks today amd there's some controversy.  Some sites say 50mg to 100mg is okay but that it's 'crontroversial' though most say 15mg is the limit and to go any higher to talk it through with your doctor.  I'll post the links tomorrow as they are at work.  I prefer to be safe than sorry.

Talking of Zinc, Marcus's message to everyone at the Acne Support Group in Cyberspace Board is :
 

"Pls covey my deepest regrets on your board in regards to the possible Zinc overdosing.  .....Maybe you could also E-mail the site which recommend it and find out where they get there info on dosages from, or leave a message on their board to find out if anyone else is following there advice!"

.... and yes, I will post to that site and ask them where they get their dosages from etc.  I think it's down to each individual as well to be careful, to do some research and when in doubt, ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR.  It's better to be safe than sorry.

Jasmine, hope you're doing okay with the NONO gadget!  :) By the way, I forgot to mention that when I initially started using the NONO, I didn't use it as recommended, ie 4 times a day for 4 minutes cos I didn't have the time and would probably just use it twice a day for 4 mins.  Things started to happen when I used it longer, as mentioned earlier.  If you're at home, you can probably do the 4 sessions.  Four minutes is a long time especially in the morning when you're trying to get to work and especially when you have more than one spot/acne as that would be 4 x many!  (grins)!

I'm going to try and get an early nite tonite .....

Oooooh, before I forget, Davie, I opened up the Organic Oat Milk drink that I bought from Holland and Barratt this weekend and yukkkkk!!  It tastes terrible (grins) so hopefully you bought  Rice Milk instead as that is delicious!!  I drink it like it's juice!  (grins) and can get through a pack a day!

Nite!  JM.
 

NONO Gadget and Vitamin E -- Just Me, 23:59:26 03/15/00 Wed
Hi everyone !!

Jasmine - :o) - I'm really happy that you finally have some power back in your hands to do something about your acne! As I've said previously, I don't know what I'd do without my NONO gadget as it helps in emergencies!!! and I've had many of those!!! in the past 3 years!

From the NONO official website, it says that it takes about 72 hours for any effects to be noticed (I think that's the gist) .... I didn't find much improvement using it as they recommended it for 4 minutes 4 times a day and now I just use it as long as I want - ie sometimes for an hour (yikes!). I asked the suppliers if that was okay as there was no warning that you couldn't overexceed the timing etc and he said it was okay as it was only light. I've never had any side effects ... so I still use it as long as I like though usually only stick to about 10 minutes per spot/acne etc. If it's really bad and it's an emergency, I'll keep it on for like an hour --- which can be a chore and a bore especially if you have a lot of spots /acne to work on ... eg 10 acnes at an hour a time - you count that one out!!

It depends what kind of acne you have and what stage it's currently in .... ie whether it's hard or whether they are at the pus stage in which case they're healing .... the NONO will speed them up to the next stage faster .... Good luck Jasmine and keep us posted!!!

Kaitlin - hi sweetie.... re the Vitamin E High Potency Cream from HealthAid - it doesn't state on the package how much Vitamin E it has. It just says :

"As a moisturiser, apply to
stretch marks, surface scars, lines, blemishes, wrinkles
and rough dry skin" HealthAid Vitamin E
cream is formulated using high quality oil which helps
reduce free radical damage and maintain skin condition.


Though through my search I couldn't find the brand on the internet, I did come across other brands of Vitamin E cream which also state they are for scarring.... you could always buy other brands, though the cream version and not the oil - well you could buy the oil version though I've never used that and don't know if it would increase spots due to it being oily etc! (Just a personal thought).

I'd definitely recommend it as you can't lose anything .... it works for me though as said it's taken about 3 months (approximately) to start working ... and I'm glad I persisted instead of giving up! I liked it also as it's a moisturiser as well and it helps when I get those dry patches from using an acne cream - so it performs two functions!

I'm keeping this short again tonite as I have some emails to answer and it's midnight. I have a message from Marcus which I'll post tomorrow (sorrie - else I'll be here another 15 mins or so !!! :)) .... will write more then ....

L&H, JM.

p/s hi guys - Davie, Marcus, Maurice, Kelli, et all :)
Vitamin E Cream?? -- Kaitlin, 22:20:59 03/15/00 Wed
Just Me: the Vitamin E cream you use from health aid, you said its high potency cream? Does it say anything like 20,000ui ect, the same way that vitamin E tablets would? Maybe I'm thinking of vitamin E oil. Anything to get rid of these damned red marks. Do you use it twice a day or once?? thanks...hope everyone is well!!!!!
No-No gadget -- Jasmine, 19:24:51 03/15/00 Wed
Hi all.Hi Just Me.I have got my No-No lamp.THANKS so much for sorting it out for me.Of course I will keep you all posted to how quickly it starts making the big inflamed spots go down and I've got plenty to try the gadget out on.Don't forget to give me the price and I'll be trying it out later.You have given me some hope.Now all I need is my Dermalux bulbs and the double zapping and the spot cream has got to make a difference surely!Anyway thanks again.Speak soon.love Jasminexx
Matchsticks for eyelids ! :o) -- Just Me, 22:53:54 03/14/00 Tue
Hi Everyone! I'm glad the site was only down a few hours today!! Whew! I wrote them first thing this morning to advise that the boards were down and asked them to fix and whew I'm hoping my email did the trick!! (grins).

This is going to be a quick one as I've been having too many late ones tonite and I have some emails to read before I can close down ....

Davie - thanks for the site which has information on Burdock Root and Enchinecea! I wish I could remember where I originally read the information I read it to take Enchinecea and Burdock ... but the site you recommended, ie http://www.voy.com/4529/3/www.egregore.com/herb/acne.htm kinda mentions all the supplements that I'm taking! Eventually I'll get them all together and the jigsaw pieces will be complete! :o).

Re buying vitamins and stuff, I've always gotten mine in bulk from Holland and Barratt though always wondered if it'd be cheaper through the internet. I worry about the quality too and try to stick to well brands like Holland and Barratt (grins) but in bulk as if I don't then one bottle of something could just last a month and it's cost me £15! Each visit to Holland and Barratt costs me about £50 plus! Yikes! There's that link below, ie http://www.voy.com/4529/3/www.nutravida.com/gold that is offering a 20% discount for those who place a first order and quote NV01 - offer is till the end of May if I remember rightly ... I need to check it out properly and check the quantities.... I have some copies of SHAPE magazine, ie from the US and it's got some sites on vitamin internet sites that have discounts etc ... will post later during the week as I'm supposed to be keeping this short :o)!

Davie, yes, I find Tesco's range of organic foods as well as Asda's and Safeway's rather limited though out of those 3, Safeway's is the best. The Sainsbury's that I go to is right next to the Millenium Dome in Greenwich, which is very new age hence it caters a lot of organic foods and each week there's more stock! Sainsburys have a website where they deliver - you may want to check it out - I can't remember the URL but it may be http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/ try that ...!! Otherwise I have some mags which have sites that deliver organic foods ... gimme some time and I'll dig them out ... (aaaahhh, so much to do and so little time .... !!!) (grins).

Hi Kaitlin ! I'm gonna keep this short ... re my looking young, it's probably cos of the oily skin etc - I read somewhere that it keeps the skin looking young etc (grins) so that's one thing we have to be grateful to oily skin for!! :) Re men getting better with age, it's not a subject I'm great on .... men are men and at any age, they can be jerks or really nice and sweet - ie a 20 year old can be really wonderful and gentlemanly or be an asswipe and so can a 40 year old ie act like a kid .... so maybe perhaps the answer is they don't change much - but that's just my opinion ..... I'd like to think there are nice men out there .... haven't been in the company of many lately! :o) .... I think I frighten them away - not by my looks but by my assertiveness at times and in being someone who knows what she wants ... some men just don't know how to deal with that ... ie with 'strong' women though the secret's out here ie I'm just normal! (grins)!

Re the Dermalux bulbs, it was Jasmine that was after them, and no, they haven't turned up for her yet ....

Okay everyone, sorrie to cut this short but I'm way past my set time on this Board ... all other replies will have to wait till later tomorrow .... sleep tight and here's to clear healthy skin!!! Nite! JM.

Thanks for sharing everyone!!!!
~~~HI ALL~~~ -- Kaitlin, 21:13:57 03/14/00 Tue
Hi Everyone!

Jasmine: I'm so happy for you that you will be recieving your nono tomorrow, I hope it works wonders for you. You've been waiting for so long for it and now tomorrow you'll finally get it so GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Just Me: I always thought that Gill was a guy, I'm not sure why, I even read the story about her taking accutane ect. (must of missed something important-obviously) Your young! 35 is like your prime age, but thats awesome that you look around 25. I hope I look that young when I'm 35. Since your a little older and way wiser, and a little off topic, let me know, do men ever get any better as they age???

Yes, I'm still on accutane. I'm at 2.5 months 40mg/day. I'm hoping only to be on it for 4 months (knock on wood) How is your skin doing? Still relatively clear??? When I'm done my course of accutane I'll have to get you to re-list all of the supplements/vitamins you take every day again, there's quite afew I want to take just to be sure.

Anyhow, trying to eat healthy. I try. But sometimes McDonalds, ect. is just so darn irresistable. I have to admit though, I've been really good since being on accutane. I figure, since I'm not covered by insurance, I'm paying $100/month for my skin so I'd better do what I can to make it work. My doctor wanted to put me up last week, but I really can't afford it right now. It sucks not having insurance!!!!!!!

I'm so excited about being finished. I think it will be so awesome to go swimming and stuff and go for the "natural look" with no makeup and not worry about people seeing the "real" me. I guess it won't happen when I'm done accutane, but as soon as all my red marks ect are gone.

This might sound sortof silly, but I've got a tatoo on my ankle that I want to get done over, does anyone think that this skin will be ok? I thought I read on Gill's site that it wasn't really a good idea, so if anyone knows, please let me know!

By the way, who was it that was waiting for eternity for the dermalux bulbs??? My mind has drawn a complete blank. For some reason I think it was Just Me and that you got them, but I thought someone else was waiting too??? Just wondering if you ever got them...

Does anyone know of good eye drops to use? My eyes have been really dry and sore and bloodshot since starting accutane. I've tried "clear eyes" but it doesn't seem to be helping much.

And does anyone know if your pores shrink down after accutane? Mine seem to have gotten bigger since starting (my doctor said it just appeared that way because my skin is dry, but its not really that dry!)

Hope everyone is well, talk soon & take care..Kaitlin
Davie/Jasmine -- Just Me, 23:20:34 03/13/00 Mon
Hi Davie & Jasmine :) - I missed reading your post before I posted .... will respond tomorrow! Jasmine, I'm thrilled for you ! Yippee!! Davie - yeah, the full macrobiotic diet is a bit heavy (yeah even for me especially with the Japanese foods etc!) - the shop links were just to find a store that was local to you that would sell the cheese alternates etc ... didn't realise you were all the way in Glasgow! (grins)!!! Did they have a link for Glasgow? I didn't check!! I can find out for you though - but not tonite as my eyes are falling shut fast!! Will write more tomorrow!

p/s yes, Davie, this is my Board (smiles) and thx for your kind word and also for your contribution and sharing to the many who are reading in - it really helps each and every one of us out there ... and that's what it's all about - ie to share knowledge and information so that we all can be acne free etc!! Nite again !! (big yawns)
Freedom from Acne!!! -- Just Me, 23:11:15 03/13/00 Mon
Hello again everyone (smiles)

Now I'm almost ready for bed (grins) as I'm pooped out from a hard days' work !  Monday's are sometimes the hardest day of the week instead of Friday's!!  Especially when the weekend was so sunny and wonderful!

Hi Kaitlin!  Yes, I'm glad too that the Board is up and running again! I was beginning to get worried after 3 days of being down!  That was very unusual!! Hey Kaitlin, it's wonderful that you have no spots at all!!  Well done!  What's your success formula?

(grins) I think it's just natural to go nah nah nah nah nah to someone who's had perfect skin who has a few spots cos hopefuly they realise how we had been feeling!  Ie like see how the shoe fits!!

20, wow, that's young!  To have acne at 10 years old!  Oh my oh my!!  How on earth?  Ok, maybe as I recall now when I was about 11 years old there were some girls in my class who were way advanced than I was ie who wore were already developed and yes, had spots and some acne ... okay, yeah, I get the picture now.

Kaitlin, are you still on Accutane?  I guess you are if I remember rightly?  Are you eating healthy?  (grins).  Yes, I'm glad too that more people are joining in and sharing their thoughts and links etc as it's just so great to learn from others and inspire each other to learn more ..... as without Davie's and Marcus' encouragement / interest this weekend, I probably wouldn't have spent the time I did on finding the links etc and it's helped us all!  :)  So thx guys!

Gill's site has a lot of great stuff too and a lot of people there are on Accutane and open up their hearts and souls and some pass through quickly and some stay on longer.  Her site has been up for many years and I'm glad it is there as I never would have found it otherwise.  Strangely enough I found it by accident as I was looking for some information on the Dermalux Lamp as I'd read about it in the Here's Health Magazine and the archives came up with Dermalux and the rest is history as Jasmine and Rob answered my questions about the Dermalux!  I stayed a while and then the idea of this Board just jumped into my mind cos of all the constant missing posts at Gill's site, which was a pain as it takes so long to post and to lose what you've said and for the person it was meant for to  not be able to read it was upsetting ... so I decided to create a proper Chat Room and here I am!  There's a long way to go yet as I have to set up the main page as well - that's going to take some and I don't have the time as I have a full time job and keeping up with this page is a job in itself plus I also have another support group (complete different subject) and another site to build as well... so I have my hands full!!!  Still all in a good cause!!

Kaitlin, don't worry about writing about yourself!  We love reading about each other and following on stories etc!  Aaaaah, to be 20 again (grins) - ie I've love to know what I know now and be 20 again!  Actually nah, I'd like to be 28 again ... I look 25-28 even though I'm 35 (which is just a number). I'm shocked that I'm 35 and so are people when I tell them as I don't look it.  I could pass for 25-28 and that's how old I feel ... so perhaps that's why I look that age (just a bit of trivia)!   ~~ btw, thank you Kaitlin for your kind words on my work on this Board!  Everyone here has contributed too and thanks to you all too!!  ~~ re Rianne, we're all hoping she'll find the mouse to click and navigate her way over here at some point and join in from time to time (grins)!!

Maurice - hello!!  I see you've mastered bold and italics!  Way to go!  Not bad!!  Yes!! Promises of shared experiences (smiles) and advice (grins)!!  I like that!!!   I'll hold you to it!!  Hope your course is enjoyable and good luck with the change in jobs!  I hope that means you have one to go to and are just settling in and not that you're looking for a new job!  Thank you too Maurice :o) for your kind words on the site!  As said, you've all played a part and I am helping myself too in becoming more knowledgeable about everything instead of just reading it and letting it go .. using the information I've learnt to help others is what it's all about as if we can help any teenagers or anyone out there spend one moment less in suffering from acne, then it would have all been worthwhile!  If I knew what I know now when I was a teenager, I could have saved myself 22 years of acne and all those other health problems, lack of self esteem when growing up and all the rest that goes with it!  I wish we had the internet then!  Shame!  Never mind!

Yes, companies like Clearisil are probably just in it for the money, to sell their products, and not really in it to help the individual clear their spots full time cos that would mean they go out of money!!  They are probably just focused on one part, ie finding a product that works in some ways and selling it and that's probably where it ends for them ....  let's hope with all this work that we're doing and sharing here, it will start a trend for the future generation and it will go on into something bigger and in the near future there will be absolutely NO acne whatsoever as people will have the knowledge and the power to know what to do!  Yes, that would be so great!  I can see that happening!  Knowledge is power!!

I'm getting very sleepy now so going to keep this short (grins)

Jasmine!  Yes!  I've wrapped up your NONO and it will be posted first thing!  How do you feel?  Excited!  Yes!!  I betcha can't wait!!  I'm so excited for you!!  With all this typing I've been doing on this board over the weekend and tonite I haven't had the time personally to use my own NONO ie for the couple of spots that I have .... argh!  Never mind ... I'll try and use it when I am in bed  - sometimes I do that and I fall asleep !  Yikes!  That's not good!!  (grins)!!

Yes, I'm very proud that you sent Dermalux a very assertive email!  Way to go girl!!  I trust they will respond favourably tomorrow or the next few days!  You keep at them and continue to assert your rights daily and they will eventually give you the attention you deserve as you are asking for attention, assertively!  Way to go!!!  Soon you'll have your Dermalux and your NONO!  YES!

Jasmine/Kaitlin - my mom had bad acne too - up till she was in her 30's and 40's so she said.  I don't remember it but she does have acne scars now - she's in her early 60s.  My sister has clear skin though she has small spots ie like heat spots.  I read somewhere that acne is indeed heridatory (gee I can't spell tonite!) - though my GP swore blind when I was younger that it wasn't!  Humbug!  I heard so much put offs from dermatologists when I was younger ie "You'll grow out of it" was a popular one!  Humbug!  Being bloody dermatologists you'd think they'd learn what works and what doesn't!  I think it takes someone to have been in the situation to know what works and what doesn't!  We all seem to be more knowledgeable than those dermatologists and doctors!

Okay, I have to end now!  Marcus hope you're doing okay.  Hi Davie...  ~~~ Nite from London!  (yawns!).  JM

No-No gadget -- Jasmine, 22:43:30 03/13/00 Mon
Hi JUST ME.I can't believe it.IT HAS ARRIVED!!Thanks so much.Any bit of hope helps.Yeh I realise that it doesn't stop the acne coming up but if it helps with the speed of healing the acne that will help.I am going to bed feeling very cheerful now.Once you've sent it give me a shout with the total price and I'll send your cheque.Off to bed as I'm dying to wash my face and put on my spot potion.I'll make sure I buy the batteries tomorrow so I can start zapping those spots straightaway.Thanks again Just Me.love Jasminexx
Improving Diet -- Davie S, 22:31:10 03/13/00 Mon
Hi Just Me, Marcus...all.

Just Me: - I have just sussed out that you are responsible for this site so well done!!.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my last barrage of questions. I've printed some diet sheet stuff off from the Macrobiotics site which I will study later if I get time(many thanks). Not quite shure that I'm a Yin and Yang man though. Anyway the diet content looks bearable/interesting/helpfull. Found a page over the weekend that might interest you with links about Burdock Root, Echinacea etc. It's www.egregore.com/herb/acne.htm. Sorry I havent got time to try the live link thingy!!!

With regard to my diet, I've started cutting down on dairy produce, slowly but surely, mixed my protein drink with orange juice after the gym today and it was OK. On the subject of supplements, I've been buying most of my gym supplements(Protein powder etc) from the states where they are almost half the price and that's with the postage added(good old rip off Britain). I don't know if the same will apply to vits/minerals but I'll try and source a US supplier for Vitamins to see if it would be worth shipping. Might save us all a pound or two. Perhaps Marcus already has, if so would appreciate web sites etc.

Thanks for recommending Holland and Barret's organic selection and the Acidipholus. I'll finish of the Yakult I have and then switch. Maybe it's just me but Tesco's organic range seems a little limited(although I do like their Harvesttime organic bread), might try Sainsbury's as you've mentioned.

Finally Ive noticed that my whey protein supplement contains lactalbumin key ingredient of Yakult!!!. This might not go exactly with the organic diet but we are all aloud one vice!

Anyway must go thanks to you all for a great page, In between two day shifts and eyes are heavy, Take care everyone, regards from Glasgow UK.
Jasmine - your NONO treatment has finally arrived!!! Yippee! -- Just Me, 19:40:15 03/13/00 Mon
Hi all (smiles)

Just a mega quickie - just got home and about to start dinner! I couldn't wait to share the news with Jasmine and all here! Jasmine, your NONO has finally arrived!!!! YES!!! I'll send it out in the post first thing tomorrow!!!! I'll double check my email to get your address!!! Yes, yes, yes!!! This is great! I'm so pleased for you! I'll send it first class so you'll get it Weds!! Wahooo!!!

Will write again after dinner and after a bit of relaxation etc (grins)!

Wahay!!!! Hello Marcus, Kaitlin, Rianne, Davie, Maurice ... will be back later :o)
Me again -- Jasmine, 18:36:03 03/13/00 Mon
Have I finally gone mad.It has posted after all.I've been in too long.Speak soon.Byee
Hi -- Jasmine, 18:33:45 03/13/00 Mon
Hi all.I just did a really long message and when I sent it it didn't work.I don't know what I did wrong but too tired now to do it all again.Gutted.Anyway post later.Take care love Jasminexx
Zinc -- Jasmine, 18:30:48 03/13/00 Mon
Hi everyone.To JUST ME. How are you?Any luck on the No-No lamp.You would be very proud of me I sent Dermalux a very assertive e-mail this afternoon and I wait to hear the response.I'm glad to see more people beginning to post here.MARCUS.Hi.I just rang a company Rianne recommended for the saw palmetto and ordered saw palmetto and B6 100mg.I asked him about quantities and he said that too high a dose of zinc can cause liver toxicity and a disease called Ryhs(sp?)disease and that no more than 30mg should be taken.I'm not saying it to be funny I'm just a bit worried about you and Rianne with your dosage of zinc.It might be the high dose that is curing your acne though.He did seem to know what he was talking about because I had to talk to someone to make sure that the B6 and saw palmetto was all veggie,sometimes the capsules are made of geletine which is no good for me.So I'm on zinc 15mg and soon will be taking B6 and saw palmetto and I've rung another company to get veggie acidiphollus(sp?).So if none of it helps than at least it can't do me any harm.KAITLIN I also think about having kids and putting them through this suffering.At the moment I don't think I would.I think it is definitly heritory because my mum had bad skin and even though my dad didn't a lot of my female cousins on my dad's side have got bad skin.That's a coincidence that your brother got acne as well.My brother and sister are adopted and of course have got lovely skin where they haven't got the family genes.I'll say hi to RIANNE as I'm sure she will be joining us soon.I feel a bit positive today even though my skin is still as bad and yet yesterday I was crying over it.Up and down.Still everyone take care and speak soon love Jasminexx
Hi Just Me!!! -- Maurice, 17:06:32 03/13/00 Mon

Hi Just Me. Will be forthcoming with my experiences (and advice!) as soon as I get time (in between changing jobs and being a course at the moment, it's hard finding time). You're doing a great job. Between your site and Gill's there is so much info. available which kinda makes you wonder why big drug companies or companies who manufacture 'Clearasil' etc are very scant
on info. Maybe because they'd like to keep us all in the dark, and keep us buying products that don't work. For all the millions they spend on advertising etc. why do so many peple on these sites seem to have had to discovered cures, for themselves. makes you wonder eh?. Well bye for now


Hi Everyone -- Kaitlin, 16:27:18 03/13/00 Mon
Hi! I'm so glad the boards back up, looks like a missed a lot as I've spent atleast 1/2 hour catching up, and it looks like there's lots of new people too (great job Just Me!!!)

Well my skin is still doing great-no spots at all, just loads of red marks everywhere, and the whole "reddish" look from accutane (thank god for makeup) I was sick this weekend, and (yuck) didn't wash my face on Friday or Saturday night from feeling so ill, but haven't got anything yet which is quite unusual.

My boyfriend (who has perfect glowing skin which he barely scrubs with soap and maybe once a year gets a small zit actually had 2 this weekend! Now this sounds horrible I know but it was nice being the one with clear skin for once!
I know its because he didn't shave for a while but still, IT WAS NICE!!! (Really I'm not a horrible person)

Just Me: I just turned 20 in January. I've had acne since I was about 10. I was one of the people who developed really early, you know had my period and was in a "b" cup bra by the time I was 10, along with horrible acne. My acne was worst from when I was 10-15, then it became rather "tamed" until about a year after I finished high school (I was 18) then it went kinda wacko again! You think it could atleast have some sort of consistency!!!!!

Oh well, I think my biggest fear once I finally manage to get my skin back to good, is that I will pass it on to any children I might have. I would hate for them to go through what I went through. I was adopted myself, so I don't really know if it was hereditary or not, but funny though, my brother was adopted as well, and he had terrible cystic acne. Strange, my parents adopted 2 kids with horrible acne.

Rianne: I'm not sure if you post on this board or not, I'm sorry your having such a hard time at the moment. Anyhow on the other board I saw you were talking about makeup running off (know what that's like) and I'm sure you've already tried lots of things, but I was telling Just Me that clinique makes a really good cover up called "cliniques acne control cover up" Its extremely dry so I think it would stay on oily skin quite well. Like I said, you've probably tried it but its an idea!! Good luck and stay happy.

Well I'm so glad that so many new people are posting here now! Once again Just Me, I think you did a wonderful job on this board. I still read the other board every day, but I never post on it anymore (mainly because of all the stuff that was going on over there) I hope your skin is still doing great. Still haven't bought any zinc yet, anything for my skin.

I really feel like every time I write I'm talking about myself and boring people, so if anyone has any questions on accutane or something maybe I can help so PLEASE ASK ME so I don't feel like a stuck up b--ch who only speaks of myself!!

Good luck to all!!!
Macrobiotic food shops -- Just Me, 13:29:03 03/13/00 Mon
Hi everyone !

Hi Davie ... this is a quickie ... the link for the Macrobiotic Foods shops as promised, ie where you can buy alternates to cheese etc is as follows:

http://www.cyberpaint.com/macrobiotics/shops.htm


Lunch almost over - have to dash! Later :) JM
Non diary substitutes and CHL -- Just Me, 23:20:05 03/12/00 Sun
Hi Davie :)

Yes, I'm forever learning too and I'm glad I'm taking the time out to find these links and sites as it helps me too. You'll enjoy the Rice Milk I promise! This weekend I found some Organic Oat Milk at Holland and Barratt and that's slightly cheaper than Rice Milk by some 40p or so. For some reason I feel you're in the UK - am I right? That's why I'm mentioning Holland and Barratt and Boots and pounds and pence! (grins)! Correct me if you're in the US! Nope, actually I just looked at your email and you're in the UK so I was right (grins)!

Re eggs, for some reason I'm not eating eggs anymore and I can't remember why, ie whether it's because of something I read or whether it's because they don't appeal to me anymore. I can't remember. I was still eating eggs in December but now in March, I've stopped. Re cheese, no, that has milk, so I don't eat that. I used to love really strong cheese but now the thought of it makes my stomach churn, ie kinda like eggs, ie it makes my stomach churn, I don't know why ... I wonder if it's to do with the Barrie Konicov's self hypnosis tape which is causing me to not want to eat certain foods ... I wonder!

Regards a cheese substitute, I can't think of any off hand though you could go into Holland and Barratt and look in their fridge section and see if there is an alternate for cheese - actually come to think of it there is a substitute for cheese. I shope at times at a health store at Greenwich Market (it's the only one in the market) and he sells organic foods and macrobiotic foods and he sells fresh products like tofu, and cheese substitutes etc. I don't know their names but if you live in London, you can take a peek there. I have a site for macrobiotics (I'll find it tomorrow at work which provides links to shops in London which sell macrobiotic foods). If you go into these shops, you'll find all sorts of alternate health substitutes ie for processed foods etc.

Re Yakult, I was about to buy some this weekend at Sainsburys ie like you for the stomach bacteria thinge but yes, didn't buy it because of the skimmed milk ingredients! (sighs!). So now I take Non Diary Acidipholus (spelling?) which does the trick!! I believe you can buy the Acidipholus from the fridge in Holland and Barratt but that's still in bottles. There are a few varieties.

Re yoghurt, oh dear, yes, as it's a form of diary product, it's out of my list too!! If I did eat yoghurt I would find a non diary substitute. Bought some non diary Organic Provamel Soya Dessert from Holland and Barratt this weekend as my desert treats! Provamel have a wide range of non diary milk and oh, the packet also says non diary alternatives to organic plain yoghurt! So there you go! Holland and Barratt is your key!

Re CHL I don't know what it is - that's a question I'm waiting for Marcus to get back to us on when he has time (smiles)! I'd like to know too Marcus and I'm really intrigued as to what it stands for unless it's really obvious !

Yes, Marcus, I second what Davie is saying, ie keep up the good work!

Nite from London!! L&H, JM.
Excuse the spelling -- Davie S, 21:55:52 03/12/00 Sun

Thanks -- Davie S, 21:53:37 03/12/00 Sun
Hi just me, thanks for the links i've checked some of them out and as always I'm forever learning. Thanks again for the milk tips. I'll get some rice milk this week and give it a go. Do you still eat eggs and is there some kind of cheese or substitute you can reccommend? Since coming off the antibiotics I've started taking this Yakult which contains Lacto something or other to replenish the stomaches friendly bacteria(yet to meet one) which antibiotics kill(allegadly). I notice from the ingriedents however that it is made from fermented skim milk does this meen that this is out as well? Do you eat organic yoghurt such as Yeo Valley or are all dairy products/bi-products taboo as per article with regards CHL. If you have time would appreciate any advice. Oh almost forgot with regard to Zinc: - Sudo creme as for babies bots can help calm irritation and take colour out of small pimples-Key ingredient Zinc Oxide!!!

Marcus: Please don't take my comments as a criticism, I was just curious. Also I agree with your advice regarding taking copper with Zinc. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.
Zinc limits, Minocin and being safe -- Just Me, 17:22:24 03/12/00 Sun
Hi Marcus,

Thx for the feedback and the snippet from Absolute Acne Info. It makes interesting reading. I wonder why both articles are contrast in the amount of levels of Zinc that they both recommend. The version from MotherNature snippet on Zinc is as follows:

SUPPLEMENT SNAPSHOT
Zinc from MotherNature.com
May help: Macular degeneration, cataracts, male infertility associated with low hormone levels, hair loss, wound healing, impotence, prostate problems, dermatitis, canker sores, bedsores, loss of appetite, low immunity, taste and smell problems, genital herpes, binge-eating disorder, osteoarthritis, HIV, and inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Zinc throat lozenges may help treat colds.

Daily Value: 15 milligrams.

Special instructions: Take with food to reduce stomach irritation, but avoid taking with a lot of high-fiber foods, since fiber interferes with absorption. Calcium also interferes, so if your calcium intake from food and supplements is 1,200 milligrams daily, you should take 18 milligrams or more of zinc every day. Absorption can also be compromised by large amounts of iron; for best results, do not get more than 30 milligrams of iron daily from food and supplements. Since large amounts of zinc impair copper absorption, get 1 milligram of copper for every 10 milligrams of zinc.

Who’s at risk for deficiency: Pregnant women, infants, elderly people who don’t eat well, vegetarians, people with diabetes, and alcoholics.

Good food sources: Cooked oysters, clams, crab, red meat, poultry, fish, and beans.

Cautions and possible side effects: Do not take more than 20 milligrams a day of zinc (and no more than 2 milligrams a day of copper) unless directed by your physician.
************************
I guess it's down to each individual to take care of themselves and judge personally what is their own safe limit, and if really in doubt, to consult their doctor. I'm sure the sites would not advise anything that was dangerous to us. Let's just all be careful, myself included ! (smiles)

Marcus, re the Minocin, I just thought you might like to be aware of the side effects of antibiotics as I mentioned below in some of my posts. I had my wisdom teeth out about a couple of years ago and my roots were completely BLACK, ie from having taken Minocin for years! I didn't know that they had side effects! I've suffered lots of other issues in the past 10 years or so skin wise, ie blothcy skin all over my body, kinda like excema but not quite - it's just red and blotchy and also I get dry flaky skin all over again kinda like exema but not. I often wonder whether it's a side effect from the Minocin, Tetracycline, Dianette etc that I took for years when I was younger. I can't seem to shake off the red blotchiness and dry flaky skin yet though it is far far better now than it's been in years. It probably sounds worst than it is, but it also has been very very bad - my arms get red and blothcy with raised like welts and they are very hot to touch. Went to the hospital lots of times but they couldn't do anything ... didn't even know what it is .... Anyway, here's that snippet about antibiotics ...

Taken from: Zit Zappers by MotherNature.com
Resist Antibiotics for Acne
Acne is sometimes treated with antibiotics. These are often versions of tetracycline, and have caused unpleasant side effects, including overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans or bowel upsets, thrush infections or folliculitis. Bacterial resistance to these drugs is beginning to emerge as a significant problem. In addition oral tetracycline is also associated with maternal liver toxicity and tooth staining in infants, and has been associated with other congenital anomalies. Minocycline, a semi-synthetic derivative of tetracycline, has been associated with hyper-pigmentation and more severe side effects, including a lupus-like syndrome that goes away when treatment stops.

Okay, enough from me for now - dinner's ready - let's all be safe! Continue the sharing Marcus and keep up the good work!! Per usual, take what feels right for you and let the rest go!

L&H, JM.
ooops -- marcus, 16:22:24 03/12/00 Sun
http://www.absoluteacneinfo.com/zinc.html
link -- marcus, 16:15:57 03/12/00 Sun
That didn’t take as long to find as I thought!!!!
http://www.absoluteacneinfo.com/zinc.htm
I know that your concerned about what you put into your bodies & rightly so (I am too!!!!!) but please believe I wouldn’t dream of recommending or even suggest anything that I hadn’t fully researched first!!!
Zinc -- marcus, 15:50:14 03/12/00 Sun
Just me & Davis S, expressed concern about the amount of Zinc I take, below is the info I printed a while ago, I can’t remember the web address but I’ll have a quick search for it later or tomorrow & post it then!!!!!!
Zinc is one mineral that has shown to benefit acne in a scientific study. The results have been compared to tetracycline. Warning: high doses of zinc are toxic. Avoid going over 100mg of zinc intake per day from food/supplement. You should probably have an intake of at least 50mg/day. It is recommended that you also take a daily multivitamin because increased levels of zinc require more Copper and Manganese. Examine effectiveness after 14 weeks. Some individuals report results in as little as 3 weeks. Your acne may get worse before it gets better during your intake of zinc.
Zinc is of course not a cure all - end all for your acne. However, some individuals have reported zinc being 75% effective for acne treatment.
Zinc aids in healing of tissue and assists in preventing scarring. It also is important for the body in resisting infection and inflammation. Hope you found this informative!!
As for the evening primrose oil and all the other supplements I’ve just followed the labels. Just me, sorry I spelt minocin wrong!!!
Guide to HTMLGuide -- Just Me, 13:08:10 03/12/00 Sun
If that was too complicated (grins), here's the direct link to the website where I originally learnt my basic html some 3 years ago! Have fun!

http://snowwhite.it.brighton.ac.uk/~mas/mas/courses/html/html1.html


Have fun! It won't come first time but it'll happen if you're keen in keeping up the practice!! L&H, JM.
How to add a live link -- Just Me, 13:00:10 03/12/00 Sun
p/s a quick lesson for those who'd like to make their links "live" as it's called! You type in the following:

< A HREF="http://www.mothernature.com/ency/Herb/Saw_Palmetto.asp" > then type full name of link eg http://www.mothernature.com/ency/Herb/Saw_Palmetto.asp < /a >

remember to take away the space between the < and "A HREF" and the " and > and also the space between the < and /a and /a and > as if I put the spaces in it will perform the command, ie I had to put the spaces in to show you how to do it! Have fun if you're trying! Always do remember to close the command or else it won't work!
Safe limits for supplementation -- Just Me, 12:49:00 03/12/00 Sun
Morning everyone!

Hi Davie - thanks for sharing. I read your post with much interest! BTW, I forgot to mention last nite that Rice Milk is made from rice (obvious) (grins) - but that it is 100% Non Diary as well. ..... oooh my screen has gone all funny, ie I can't see the Board anymore as I was doing some deep surfing - guess i have too many windows open .... oh, I'll have to reply from memory as I don't want to lose my windows as I found some pretty good links for vitamins etc which I'll share now and hopefully won't lose before my machine crashes ... which it shows signs of doing (groans!).

  • Encyclopedia of Natural Health by MotherNature.com (answers to all the questions you have on vitamins and supplements etc - a definite must bookmark!)
  • Vitamin and Mineral Safety Limit" by Quest (as shared by Davie)
  • Vitamin B6 from MotherNature.com (description, safety limits, interaction with other supplements etc)
  • Zinc from MotherNature.com (description, safety limits, etc). Davie, you are right regards the safety limit for Zinc as from this article it states that it should be no higher than 20mg (unless directed by doctor). I only take 15mg of Zinc (I have a bottle of 25mg but that is Zinc with some other mineral and not 100% zinc) - Marcus, pls be careful!
  • Iron from MotherNature.com (description, safety limits etc)
  • Magnesium from MotherNature.Com (description, safety limits etc)
  • Iron from MotherNature.com (description, safety limits etc)
  • Potassium from MotherNature.com (description, safety limits etc)
  • Chinese Herbal Medicine from MotherNature.com (intro to Chinese Herbal Medicine)
  • Getting Started with Chinese Herbal Medicine from MotherNature.com (description, article, links etc)
  • Putting Safety First re Vitamins/Herbal Medicine from MotherNature.com (how to be safe when taking supplements, herbs etc)
  • Guide to Supplements from MotherNature.com (Consumer's guide to supplements such as Enchinecea, Saw Palmetto etc)
  • Herbs and Botannical Extracts by MotherNature.com (A-Z guide of all herbs and extracts, safety limits, descriptions etc)


Whew! I hope I did the URL right as that took a while! Davie, thanks for sharing as it's made us all aware of putting safety first and being knowledgeable in what we put into our bodies. I have always been careful and make sure that I'm happy first before I but a supplement, though never saved the article, as never thought of sharing it with others etc ... till now ... it's great that you've been 10 weeks drug free apart from some supplementation! Well done! Yes, I agree too that we also need to eat the right foods as well as have the supplementation as one without the other won't work that well (to phrase it roughly). If you read my posts earlier, I eat an organic diet (free of toxins) and mainly stick to fish and tuna and don't eat chicken or meat anymore (mainly because I find them too chewy now and just personally don't like the taste). Lots of pasta, brocolli, organic fruit, water, tuna, prawns, though my vice is crisps or potato chips as they say in the US! (grins)! I drink lots of green tea and also now organic orange juice.

Davie, I take it that you work out hence your supplementation? Re your comment on B6 and that B3 (Niacin) should be enough ... ooooh, I take both B6, B3 and B Complex! I have always wondered if that was too much as B Complex contains a small trace of B3 and B6! I'll have to check out the links and see if my dosage is too much - which I don't think as they seem to be fairly low...

Okay, I need to get my day started so I'll end for now! I hope this posts without crashing!

Have a great day everyone and here's to freedom from acne forever!!

L&H, JM.
Vitamin Limits -- Davie S, 11:03:42 03/12/00 Sun
Dear Just Me,
Many thanks for the reply. I'll try the rice milk out and see if it makes any difference. After one course of Roaccutane several years ago and a few courses of antibiotics since(for the what seems inevitable post roaccutane flair ups), I'm currently not on anything prescribed for my skin(Doc's idea). I've only been running lead free for about 10 weeks using only sensible skin care products such as ROC. Anyway overall my skin is reasonable although it throws the ocassional wobbly (mainly around the shaving area) hence the continued interest. I've taken oral vitamins and sports supplements(mixed with skim milk, DOHHHH) for years. As I am using several products which can contain varying amounts of the same vitamins I have always checked the upper recommended limits, please don't confuse this with RDA recommended daily allowance. I have noticed over the years that these figures vary somewhat between the UK and America. I only use the best quality vits i.e Quest or Solgar (supposidly better absorption rates) and try to use time release so It is absorbed throughout the day and I don't just pee most of it away(water soluble vits). It should be remembered that suplementation is just that and most of your vit's and minerals should come from a good balanced diet. Marcus's regime has got me curious and he's obviously put a good bit of research into it(keep up the good work). However from what I've read the upper safe daily allowance for Zinc supplementation is only 15mg, some people are taking 100mg a day. I don't know what damage this can do if any, however I have read that overdosing on some vits can toxify the system which in our cases is surely defeating the purpose. From the small amount I know the B vitamins may benefit us and as it is I take a high potency B Complex. I cannot find any reason why we should take high doses of Vit B6 if anything I would think Niacin B3 would be more beneficial. Well if that hasn't put you to sleep yet then Vit UPPER SAFE LIMITS are available at www.questvitamins.co.uk/upsflmts.htm. Thanks once again, take care.
Supplement dosage and DHL! -- Just Me, 00:25:34 03/12/00 Sun
Hi everyone!

Hi Marcus - yes me too, I'm glad that the Board is back up and running again after 3 days out of action!!! I was beginning to think it had shut forever! Yikes!!

22 years old - yes (smiles), that's really young! (grins). Way to go for the sensibility to start on your supplementation so young! And for being an inspiration to so many! 3000mg on Evening Primrose Oil! Wow! That's high! Where do you find such high dosages and like Davie says, where do you get your dosage limits from? Davie - I don't really follow any dosage limits ie I buy the highest dosage at the health shop, thinking that if they were selling it at that limit, then it's safe. My Evening Primrose Oil dosage is 1000mg, though today I saw some at 1300 mg. Minacin is that the same as Minocin, ie the antibiotic? Or is it a supplement?

As posted on the other Board, what is DHT by the way?

Hi Davie ..... re the dosages I hope Marcus can give an answer or a site etc .... or I'll check out some tomorrow and post the links here etc. As mentioned, I have just been buying the highest dosages that Holland and Barratt (ie health store) sell, and not really thinking too much about whether they are too high as I figured if they're selling them, it's okay! Re diary products, yes, I read somewhere that milk is not good for the immune system, as those of us with acne etc have a 'weak' for use of a word immune system and milk prevents the body from fighting off what it needs to (that's the gist of what I read). Again it was from the Here's Health magazine a few months ago. I read also that we should substitute milk with Rice Milk which you can buy from Holland and Barratt, which is actually very delicious and very healthy! It's about £1.79 or you can buy a similar version at Sainsburys for £1.49. If I can find that article from Here's Health, I'll post it here ....

I have to get some sleep now ... will continue my responses as promised in my next postings!

P/s yes, Marcus I too hope to see more people visiting this Board as well as it has some valuable information ... it's easier to use as it's a proper message board, and it's just another place to go visit ... yes, and the words don't disappear here (grins) and there's no annonymous postings allowed! (grins) so no Jay character messing it up!! The posts won't disappear either and when it gets to a certain limit (I think 200k) it goes into the archives which will be at the top right hand corner.

Kaitlin, hope you're doing okay - oh yeah, forgot you can't access the Board during the weekends - only weekdays!

Hi Jasmine, Rianne, Kelli Maurice and all!!

Nite all!

p/s Jasmine, sweetie, 41 spots! Oooooh! I hope they're not too painful as there's nothing worst than having spots and being able to "feel" them ie that they hurt and they are hard ones. I had that last year, ie lots of hard acne on both cheeks and they hurt so much ie I was constantly aware of them. I felt so ugly. It was a phase I was going through - every month the same thing ... I wasn't on any supplementation then. Hey, yeah, come to think of it, I started my supplementation around last September I think and slowly build it up (though stopped for a few weeks).... it's now March, about 6 months later and my acne is gone! I have some spots but that is nothing compared to acne! It's like heaven! I can live with it! From what I've read, it takes about 3 months for any supplementation to kick in eg Evening Primrose Oil or any vitamin.

Marcus, I went out today and bought some Milk Thistle and added that to my regimen. BTW, I also take that acidipholus (spelling) when I remember and also Goldenseal ... though you're gonna want an explanation aren't you (grins)! I'll have to look it up for you as I read about it somewhere but didn't write it down! Later :)
Vitamin Limits -- Davie S, 19:28:12 03/11/00 Sat
Hi All, Have been reading through this and Gill's message board and I'm curious about D.H.T and also vitamin supplementation limits, can anyone help? I already take some supplements namely Evening primrose oil, B-complex and vitamin C time release in fairly high doses. I notice however that some people are taking 3 or 4 times the UK daily reccomended amount of zinc. Can someone please tell me where they are getting their dosages for these vitamins? Also have dairy products been linked with acne?? Keep up the good work everyone, Many thanks.
Hi -- marcus, 17:20:09 03/11/00 Sat
Just me, glad to see your board back up! I’m only 22 so quiet young compared to some people still suffering from this problem! The supplements I take are 3000 mg evening primrose oil, 1000mg cod liver oil, 75mg zinc 120mg B.6, A.C.E, 150mg potassium, B-complex gingko biloba, & now saw palmetto, I also take 200mg minacin MR even though it doesn’t work! (I guess I don’t want to take the risk and stop taking it now things are going so well) After a little research it became clear the D.H.T (also responsible for hair loss & excessive body hair) was a MAJOR factor in the cause of acne! This got me thinking there are certain supplements (zinc taken in conjunction with B.6 & a herb saw palmetto) that block this hormone preventing testosterone being converted into the more potent D.H.T. I was already taking the zinc, b6, & recently picked up the sae palmetto! I hope you have more people come over to your board soon; it has a few advantages to the other board! (No Jay character screwing it up for one & no letters disappearing from every single message you post!) P.S thanks for all your great info. Talk to you soon!
Saw palmetto -- Just Me, 23:10:55 03/08/00 Wed
p/s Marcus, yes, please, do keep me posted re how you and Rianne get on with Saw palmetto. What is it by the way (grins)! (chuckles!) I can look it up ... but if you care to briefly describe it, I'd be grateful (smiles)!
Supplements etc -- Just Me, 22:51:29 03/08/00 Wed

Hi everyone! Finally able to reply - had visitors!

Kaitlin - yes, I hope I find the coverup make up too! I'm sure it's great ... will let you know when I find it and how it works for me! (grins). So you're from Canada ! Great place! People always used to ask me whether I was Canadian as I sound Canadian at times - some say I sound like Olivia Newton John, American or Canadian ... it's been happening to me the past 20 years!! I say too much American influence (grins)! It's stronger when I work with Americans. I grew up in Singapore which is very Americanised! I'm half Chinese and half English by the way. Bit of trivia! :)

Kaitlin, I'm glad to hear your skin is cool at the moment! It's just wonderful when it's "normal" and not playing up ie breaking out etc! Re Accutane, as I understand it, yes it's a very high form of Vitamin A. When you stop Accutane, I assume you can take Vitamin A in normal dosages to help. I take Vitamin A as part of my supplements. It's purely from Fish Oils ie the Vitamin A that I take. How old are you by the way Kaitlin?

Re laser resurfacing, sorrie sweetie, I don't know much about that ... hope someone can help you out on that one I'm sure! Anyone? Yes I agree that it's great to be able to speak with people that are going through the same thing and know how it feels to have acne, than to just be silient with friends and family who don't have a clue and who just seem to judge you all the time when you break out and give you those looks ie like you're not clean enough in your cleansing routine etc which is why you have spots and acne etc and look terrible. They just don't seem to realise that at times we can't help it - it's a dis-ease and like falling ill, we can't help it, though will all this information we're gathering about healing acne, we can help it! YES! I wish I knew all I know now when I was younger! It would have helped me so much .... but then again I'm not so sure I would have listened! I mean especially the many years that I was going through a stage where we were all drinking after work ie workmates and stuff ... you don't want to think about acne then and what part alcohol plays in your immune system etc .... well at least now I do and am taking care of my body and it's showing (smiles)!

Yes, Kaitlin :), one day you will be acne free and scar free!!

Marcus - re your questions on Dong Quai, Burdock Root and Magnesium ... I did some research ie to get the facts right, and Dong Quai is mainly for women and their hormones / reproductive system etc. Helps women who have just come off the Pill and who want to regulate their periods etc etc. Here's a couple of links:

http://gic.simplenet.com/dr/herb/donquai.htm
and
http://www.drugstore.com/guide/Herb/Dong_Quai.asp.

I started taking it a few months ago because of my irregular periods since stopping the pill Dianette, which I was also taking mainly for acne. I suffered pretty bad acne as soon as I came off Dianette. The past few months (I guess on reflection) since taking Dong Quai my periods are regular for the first time in my life without being on the Pill! So women out there who have irregular periods, do try Dong Quai!! ~~~~~ Magnus, for you personally, I don't think Dong Quai would have much of an effect on you re acne, so you can safely dismiss it from your supplements :)

Re Burdock Root, I read about it recently in one of my searches for acne cures and have been taking it the past few days. I can't remember the link ... when I do I'll add it to the main site etc ... ie providing all the links to everything etc). For infomation on Burdock Root, here's some links:

"Alternative treatment

Alternative treatments for acne focus on proper cleansing to keep the skin oil-free; eating a well-balanced diet high in fiber, zinc, and raw foods; and avoiding alcohol, dairy products, smoking, caffeine, sugar,processed foods, and foods high in iodine, such as salt. Supplementation with herbs such as burdock root ( Arctium lappa ), red clover ( Trifolium pratense ), and milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ), and with nutrients such as essential fatty acids, vitamin B complex, zinc, vitamin A, and chromium is also recommended. Chinese herbal remedies used for acne include cnidium seed ( Cnidium monnieri ) and honeysuckle flower ( Lonicera japonica ). Wholistic physicians or nutritionists can recommend the proper amounts of these herbs"

From: http://www.mylifepath.com/topic/acne

"Burdock, Latin name Arctium lappa, is a carrot-like root from the plant Arctium lappa, a biennial herb grown in China, Europe and the United States. Employed as a popular folk medicine around the world, burdock is also consumed as a vegetable in Japan, where it is called 'gobo'.

Burdock seeds are crushed to make a popular tincture used to purify the blood, to treat gout and ulcers, arthritis, rheumatism, and cure skin diseases such as acne and psoriasis. In India and Russia, the root is a popular anti-cancer remedy , and in China it is believed to be an effective aphrodisiac, useful in treating impotence and sterility

From: http://www.alternative-medicines.com/herbdesc/1burdock.htm

And though I'm only on it for a few days, yes, Marcus, I would recommend it, it from the reviews. I would also recommend Goldenseal and Milk Thistle which I've shown below. Do a search on http://www.excite.com for Milk Thistle and you'll come up with lots of reviews etc! (I'm jumping posts now as I was at the bottom and jumped up here to post this (grins)). If you want to wait till I've given Milk Thistle a try and wait to see how Burdock Root works for me, I'm happy to keep everyone posted here ! :) From what I read, Milk Thistle helps in cleansing out the liver .... ooh, you'll have to wait till tomorrow and I'll find the links and post them here! Ok ... time's running out for me tonite!

Re Magnesium, I can't remember if I'm taking it for acne or just a supplement for health .... I'm pretty sure it's for acne as well. BTW, I'm also taking Goldenseal which helps towards acne as well. It's late and I have some emails to respond to so will have to continue tomorrow nite - and hopefully I'll have some more info on the Magnesium etc as well.

I'm pleased to hear that the supplements are working for you as well and that you are acne free Marcus! Thanks for sharing that as it's always helpful to know that the same things are working for someone else!! I sometimes worry that I'm taking too much supplements, but I am careful to make sure that that which I do take is in it's pure form and not mixed ie if I buy Evening Primrose Oil, I'll make sure it's pure and not mixed with any of the vitamins I'm already taking. What supplements are you on?

Re: Dermalux Lamp, I've now been using it on Week 4 and it's all good! I'm sure it's playing a part in keeping the acne at bay as well! I look forward to using it at nite for 15 mins as for me it's quiet time and gives me time to reflect and do some thinking and planning etc as I'm usually so rushed for time!

Jasmine, I got the answering machine at the NONO Suppliers today ... I'll chase up tomorrow. Sorrie sweetie ... hang in there. You WILL get your NONO delivered very soon!! I promise! I'm sure it's because I'm only a "small timer" and the company usually delivers bulk to major home companies which is why I've been put on the back burner etc .... hope all is well for you Jasmine .... sending you healing thoughts for a speedy recovery for the issues you're going through right now!

Okay, I gotta wrap up here for now!! Look forward to more comments from those brave enough to jump in (smiles)!

Nite,

L&H, JM!
p/s out of curiousity Marcus, how old are you? How long have you had acne? As you're "wise" enough (grins) to be taking supplements I assume you're around the same age as me or nearabouts? I'm using the term "wise" as when younger, we don't usually care about our bodies that much and abuse it with overeating, overdrinking etc and when you get older you wise up to the fact that acne starts from within and we can help it with our supplementation cos it is the hormones that cause the acne flareups etc .... it all helps ! Just a bit of ramble there (grins)!!

Question -- Marcus, 17:44:43 03/08/00 Wed
Just me, like you my acne is all but gone thanks to taking numerous different supplements! I’m still getting a few small one’s now and again! I was just reading over the supplement you take and was wondering if you could give me some more info on a couple (Dong Quai, burdock root, magnesium)and if you think it would be worth while for me to add to my ever increasing regimem!!!!. I’ve just started taking a herb called Saw palmetto along with Rianne & if it helps further I’ll let you!!!
p/s only 3 weeks old!!!! :) -- Just Me, 17:07:56 03/08/00 Wed
p/s I miscounted (grins)! This support chat room is only 3 weeks old!!! Will post when I get home later ... facing the London traffic now! L&H, JM.
Hi Marcus, Kaitlin, Jasmine and all -- Just Me, 09:31:28 03/08/00 Wed
Hi Marcus :)

Good to have you visit :) .... yes, it's quite here though the information shared is pretty good as most of it works for clearing acne. I guess people just aren't secure yet in posting here as the room is only about 4-5 weeks old ... and I think people feel more secure in when there are lots of people posting etc ... in time, I'm sure this conversation room will be just as equally popular ..... for the moment, the information is right here all for the taking .. ie below posted for all to read and it's up to each individual to make their own choices as to what to do with the information. I've had acne for 22 years though lately using what I've been using, it's all cleared up and I only have a few spots now ... and no acne (YES!).

I'm still working on the main site which will include acne treatments, what worked for me and what didn't etc etc though I'm posting a lot of that information right here as I go along and then will assimilate and summarise it on the main webpage for ease of reference etc.

I look forward to more people opening up and sharing their progress and treatments here with people who are in the same situation as you, ie with acne ...

I have to rush for now ... Kaitlin, will write back later today!!

L&L, JM!
Just to say hi -- Marcus, 23:40:04 03/07/00 Tue
Just me, I've just come over from the other board, and just wanted to say hi to show my support. I tried finding your site the other day but couldn't find the link you had previously left behind as there's somthing wrong with the archives there! Any how great site and although there doen't seem to be many people here at the moment I'm sure given time it'll be just as popular. Now I've found your link I'll try to visit as often as I do the other board!
Hello -- Kaitlin, 20:33:29 03/07/00 Tue
Hi everyone, Just Me: I hope you find the coverup, its great stuff. And I'm from Canada (yipee) Only my immediate family lives here, everyone else is in Ireland. (Not that this has anything to do with anything at all)I'm just babbling.

I didn't get down to look for the almay concealer, I keep forgeting!!! I'm having a "nice skin day" (sortof) Its not really feeling that dry anymore, I wonder if I should get my dose put up from 40mg to higher?-anyways,

I know that most of you here can't take accutane for one reason or another (correct me if I'm wrong) but from reading my moms medical books, they say that accutane is basically a really high dose of vitamin A, so doesn't taking vitamin A pill help? I'm just curious to know, as this could be another way to help contain nasty breakouts when I'm finished accutane.

Does anyone know about laser resurfacing and stuff? I know that red marks fade in time, but with my luck it will take years and I'd really like to get rid of them faster. I know that vitamin E cream and AHA's are supposed to help, but it couldn't be fast enough.

Also, my pores seem to of gotten huge since being on accutane. My doctor said my skin is just dry so they seem bigger, but it's not really dry at this point and they still seem huge, anything that can help with this?

I keep asking all these questions, I hope that I can help someone in return, I'm not an expert but we've all tried different stuff and I don't know what I'd do without the info I've recieved from this board and the other. Ever since I started accutane (here I go about me again) I've read the yellow board and now this one every day (except weekends) Its so nice to have support from others in "the same boat" rather than friends who don't have a clue what its like, so thanks again everyone. I don't even let my best friend since kindergarden (which is 15 years ago) see me without atleast cover up on. Oh well, maybe one day I'll have acne free and red mark free skin!

Hope everyone's skin is well, take care!!!
Milk Thistle for acne / liver cleansing -- Just Me, 13:38:19 03/07/00 Tue
Hi .... quickie ... someone just shared that Milk Thistle is good for cleansing the liver regards acne etc. For those in London, I was reading "Here's Health" mag this lunchtime and came across a UK website dedicated exclusively to selling supplements etc @ www.nutravida.com/gold. If you quote code NV01, you will get 20% off your first order (valid till 30 May 2000). Saves wandering around shops during our lunchhour when they can be delivered to our door!! :)

Jasmine waiting for the supplier to call me back today .... left a message with his sec.

Later, JM.
Acne treatments etc -- Just Me, 22:24:46 03/06/00 Mon
Hi Kaitlin, Jasmine, and all

Here's my reply as promised!  Kaitlin, re compact liquid powder and foundation, I personally find they aren't suitable for me cos as you said, it seems to be just for people with perfect skin as those with acne have dry patches or patches with acne / spots etc and it just doesn't look right and comes out at times all cakey and unnatural, and doesn't cover as well as one would expect or hope for.

Thank you for the tip on the cover up ie "Clinqiue's Acne Control Cover Up"!  I'll look out for it!  I take it you are in the US?  It sounds like it's something that would only be sold in a high street store here in London so I may check out Yahoo to see if they sell it on line!  Hope you were able to find the Almay Lasting Concealer while at your lunchhour!  I tried to find it on the website for you the other day but couldn't find a site for Almay ...!  You may be able to get it from Yahoo ie the Yahoo part that sells anything!

Re the Vitamin E cream, I use a high potency cream version and not an oil version.  As I have oily skin from time to time, I have a tendency to stay away from any oil!  (grins).  It's by HealthAid and if you do a search again on Yahoo sales etc you may find it ... (I'll find the link for Yahoo in a bit and post it here).

Re Zinc, I am taking that as a supplement as well as a few others (actually a lot, which I have mentioned on the Accutane Board some weeks ago and will mention again in a bit for Jasmine).  Yes, I've read in lots of places that it definitely helps speed up the healing process for acne.  I've shared the sites before, and will share them again.  All this info I'm sharing is going to be part of the main website ... when I am able to find the right amount of time to get it all going properly instead of stolen moments every now and then!

Kaitlin, we love hearing about you (and you too Jasmine), so don't worry about talking about yourselves as lots of others out there reading can emphatise with you and I know it helps them feel less alone!  Re the NONO, Kailin, I think it'd be a good investment for you for any emergency breakouts etc ... and you won't regret it as I find mine a godsend!  Yes, it's great here that you don't need to put in the codes for paragraphs and can type as long as you want!!  :o)

Jasmine - hi!  The NONO didn't turn up yet today either so I'll call the supplier tomorrow and chase him up.  I'm sorrie!  He really promised that he'd send it last week!  Even if he sent it parcel post it'd get here by now ... I'll let you know tomorrow!  I'm sorry that your skin is still bad and that you're going through a breakout period.  I've had those for months and the past couple of months I'm doing okay.  I am putting it down to my diet, my supplements, the NONO and the Dermalux, the main contribution I feel is the diet and the supplementation as they help control the acne from within.  From what I've read, the supplementation and diet take a few weeks, if not a couple of months or so to kick in like anything.  I've been adding things lately as well that I keep reading up on ie like Burdock and Selenium and I seriously feel it is working as for the first time in a long time, I have my period and don't have any new acne at the period time and only a few spots which would usually be acne!  I credit it to all the four factors, each playing a small part.  The homeopathy helped as well ie Sulphur and Natrum Mur ie for Acne.  You're only supposed to take it till it starts to get better and then stop, which I have.  Again, the homeopathy takes a while to kick in.

Regards anything topical on my face, the past few months I have been cleaning my face properly ie using soap and or facial cleanser ie Vitamin E soap or Tea Tree Soap, then using Potters Skin Clear Lotion to cleanse the skin (and you wouldn't believe the dirt that is still on there ie make up etc even after washing with soap!), followed by Synergie Pore Purifying Astringent with Zinc (which dries out imperfections and tightens pores, followed by using Vitamin E cream to moisturise and fade away scars (the Vitamin E cream is very dry ie when you put it on it fades into the skin and doesn't leave that "oily" feeling that most moisturiers leave, followed by T-Zone Tea Tree Oil (Acne/Blemish Treatment Stick), followed by Witch Doctor Witch Hazel Extract Antispetic/Astringent to dry up any oily patches, followed by pure Tea Tree 100% Oil, and when that dries, I use Potters Skin Clear Ointment for mild acne, and then put Antiseptic Dusting Powder (which contains Zinc) or Baby Powder to absorb any oil overnight.  Wow!  That sounds a lot!  It takes me ages to do my skin cleansing every nite but I figure it's worth it so I peservere!  When I was younger I used to sleep with my make up on a lot of nights!  I wouldn't dream of doing that now!

If you want to know what supplements I take daily they are:

  • Enchinecea
  • Dong Quai
  • Evening Primrose Oil
  • Burdock Root
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
  • Vitamin C
  • Magnesium
  • Selenium
  • Calcium
  • Iron
It took a bit of getting used to to take so many supplements but you get used to it after a while.  I used to weight train and used to take a lot of supplements then ie to replenish all the energy lost during weight training and to build muscle so it feels the same.  And no, no steroids - I wouldn't even know where to get them!  Because I had acne when I was training some people automatically thought I took steroids ... well I can figure why but it wasn't true - it was just my hormones playing up ie the overproduction of androgen.

I found more information on the supplementation I was taking from  Healing Light Acne @ http://www.itsnet.com/~treelite/HL/Acne.html .  It was a big help to read it there as I was already taking most of the supplementation advised - though I added a couple more, ie Burdock Root, which I have been taking a couple of weeks and feel it has contributed immensely!

I do feel everything that I am doing has contributed to the state that I am in now, including my eating habits which now includes organic foods ie without the toxins of normal food and I feel great for it, ie I now no longer crave tea or any stodgy foods and will walk pass the diary counter at Sainsbury's very easily without being tempted to buy any cakes!  I think Barrie Konicov's self hynosis tape helped on that ie the Freedom from Acne Self Hypnosis tape.

Also Jasmine, I feel that the NONO helps too ie when the acne starts to grow and you can feel it, or you get spots growing, if I use the NONO straight away, I can usually prevent it from growing any bigger and stop it there and then.

However, my main overall conclusion as to what helps keep my acne under control (as mentioned above) :) is the organic eating habits (ie with fruit, veg and lots of water along with no meat or only chicken and tuna) help a lot as we are what we eat!  My tongue feels so much cleaner with eating organic vegetables and pasta!  Seriously!  (grins)!  I had fish fingers the other nite and it tasted really ikky!  I was gutted cos I loved fish fingers with runny eggs and spaghetti but can't eat it anymore cos of the stodiness!  As we get healthier, our bodies start to know what it good for us and I guess I'm glad that it happens automatically and I'm not forcing myself to NOT eat unhealthy foods cos I won't stop myself - ie if I want to, I'll let myself - it's just that I have no more cravings for stodgy food, only organic foods!  I drink organic orange juice at a large pack a time now!  Prior to finding organic orance juice, I wouldn't even take a sip of normal orange juice as I found it too citric for my liking but organic orange juice (from Sainsburys) is GREAT!!  (ooh, I'm thirsty now!)!!

Okay, have to rush off now and answer some other posts!  Nite everyone!

L&H, JM.
 
 

p/s was looking for the Yahoo Shopping link and came across this website: Acne Treatment Center which "provides a long term, safe and affordable solution to controlling your acne breakouts using topical medications. Our products include cleansers, scrubs, masks, sunscreens, moisturizers, as well as custom blended makeup. We are here to help you and make you feel better about yourself and your skin". Also has a section for Men as well!! Only checked it out briefly but it looks okay - though do make your own assessments and use your instincts etc! Good luck!

The Yahoo Shopping link is http://shopping.yahoo.com/

Hi Kaitlin / Jasmine and all (smiles) -- Just Me, 10:02:53 03/06/00 Mon
Hi Kaitlin, Jasmine, Maurice and all who visit here :0)

I didn't get a chance to post this weekend as I was busy with other issues in my life - ie like a life (grins)! Was on the puter for a bit but doing other things like answering emails - I just wanted to chill out for a bit instead of spending hours on the computer ....

I will aim to get a reply in either this lunchtime or later tonite when I am home ....

Jasmine, as I was driving off from my driveway this morning, saw the postman deliver to my postbox - couldn't see whether it was the NONO though if it was he would have left a note as it would be too big to get through the letterbox! I'll let you know tonite!

Will respond again later in more detail - have to rush for now! Wanted to say I'm still here and haven't forgotten everyone etc!

L&H,
JM.
Just to say Hi. -- Jasmine, 18:55:33 03/05/00 Sun
Hi everyone.Hi Just Me.I have just written on the other board but I wanted to show my support here.It must be hard to get a new board started but I'm sure people must be having a look and once they get used to it will post here.Thanks again about the No-No lamp.Hopefully we will have it soon.My skin is still terrible and I am still being a recluse.JUST ME Do you use anything else on your face apart from the No-No Lamp e.g.topical stuff or take any anti-biotics.In other words what keeps your acne under control?Apart from your Dermalux too.That's great you have found the website for the No-No.I will read up on it when I get it.Anyway that is about it.Take care love Jasminexx
Acne Treatment Websites -- Just Me, 17:52:50 03/03/00 Fri
Hi Kaitline, Jasmine, Maurice, Rianne, and all here :o)

Quickie - will post later .... wanted to share these links I just found by chance ... sometimes you find things by chance and can never find them again so I'm saving the link here (grins).

"Acne Treatment Websites"


Enjoy!
Later,
JM! :)
PS to Hi Everyone -- Kaitlin, 15:47:06 03/03/00 Fri
Thanks for the info on nono gadget. I'm seriously thinking of it for when I'm done my course just in case.

And I love the way you don't have to put funny codes in to leave spaces between stuff-its so much easier to read!!! :)
Hi Everyone!! -- Kaitlin, 15:45:11 03/03/00 Fri
Hi, thanks for your quick reply about the makeup. I'll have to try the almay cover up. I actually just bought an almay compact (liquid to powder foundation stuff) yesterday, but its the kind of makeup that people with perfect skin would wear. It doesn't cover at all (quite sheer) and felt really watery. Oh well, back to the revlon for now, but I'm sure I'll be down on my lunch hour to buy the almay! I still haven't managed to find a good foundation base, but the cover up I'm using is great (except I've got such fair skin that its a tad too dark) Anyhow, its made by clinique. Its called "cliniques acne control cover up". If your skin is really oily it works quite well as its a very dry cover up. Its almost like old foundation that dried up, but it stays on all day. Plus its got 1% salicyic acid in it, so its helping your skin (I hope) as well as covering it up.

I've seen vitamin E cream before, but I've also seen the vitamin E oil and couldn't decide which to buy! The oil had the dosage on it, meaning you could buy it anywhere from 800ui to 20,000ui. Have you ever tried the oil or just the cream? And I'll have to wait on the vitamin A cream until I'm done accutane.

I've been hearing a lot about zinc (on the other board) and I think I might try it as well. I think it was Marcus that said accutane slows down healing or something along those lines, and he's right. Ever since I started accutane any new spots I've gotten have left red marks worse than usual, and even when I cut myself it took forever to heal! So I'll have to get that on my lunch as well.

Anyhow, I've been talking about myself this whole time. I hope you are all doing well. I don't really know much about any of you (that post here) except for what I've read on the other board, but you seem to stick together (which is good) I've gotten so many ideas for when I'm done accutane (I've got an extreme fear it will all come back with a vengance) that I want to try them all, but hopefully I won't have to, and hopefully they will work for all of you.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Kaitlin / sharing NONO treatment -- Just Me, 23:08:58 03/02/00 Thu
Hi Kaitlin (smiles)

Thx for your kind words re this Acne Support Group in Cyberspace! It was a burst of inspiration and the urge to share what I knew to help others just kinda felt into place - well most of you have been party to it unfolding, if you've been following (grins) me ie from the Accutane Board to when I started this site up a few weeks ago! It's been fun! Still a way to go yet! Whew! And a full time job as well!! Yes, I know what you mean about the feeling that it'd be great if the many others that read in would post as well (smiles) ... as a lot of people read daily as you can tell from the daily hits! I guess people are still getting used to this site and not sure yet what to post or how to post - and just testing the waters. Once one starts, the rest will soon start to follow suit! Don't be shy to jump on it - the water is lukewarm (smiles)!!

The information that I'm finding as well is just amazing as all of it is just happening and jumping out at me! I have been searching for a website on the NONO gadget for months and couldn't find anything and today by pure luck I used Excite.com and went a bit deeper as there were 360 finds on the search and yes, I found the site!!! I was so thrilled!

Re your question on the NONO, as to whether or not you can share it with your boyfriend ... if I recall rightly it doesn't say you can't and as you have to wash it after each use, I'm sure it's okay. When I had my original instructions it said you had to wash it with some special solution from the chemist ie like surgical cleanser - I always used Dettol! Now I read that we can use soap - whereas the instructions before said no soap! My instincts say it's okay to share, as long as you wash it before you share it. To be on the safe side, you can always double check by writing to the address at the NONO website and asking them.

Re the red marks on your skin ... yeah I have those too and they take ages to go away. I personally found that using Vitamin E High Potency Cream (by Health Aid) helped in reducing the red scarring marks (though it takes a few weeks to take effect). Using Vitamin A High Potency Cream (by Health Aid) also helps. For make up cover, I found that using Almay Amazing Lasting Concealer stick helps hide the red marks (not completely but enough to do a good job). It "doesn't wear off, lasts up to 8 hours, is 100% Oil Free and 100% Fragrance Free"! Hope that helps! p/s One of the Articles in the MotherNature.com site for acne said that breaking open a Vitamin E capsule and rubbing it pure on scars helps!!

If any other ladies out there have any other make up tips, I'd love to hear them! We'd love to hear them!! According to the Homeopathic Remedies for Acne site ie the MotherNature.com site, it says that make up is a big contributing factor for acne as well (argh!). Which means that choosing the right make up is vital in helping our acne fight! I use Silk Corn Loose Powder to help absorb the oiliness and it's great! It doesn't clog pores. My only problem has been finding a suitable foundation base that doesn't rub off (ie even those 12 hour ones). I have been using Potters Skin Clear Ointment as an acne treatment under the make up and I think it's too oily etc and makes the make up run a little ..... if anyone has any suggestions and/or recommendations on what they use re an acne treatment under the make up and also what foundation they use that helps I'd be grateful to hear it! (smiles).

Dear Jasmine, the NONON didn't arrive today ... I guess he sent it by second post! Don't worry sweetie - it will get here and you will get it soon!! Sending hugs your way today and hope you're feeling better (smiles). I've been at the puter for about 3 hours now writing responses and it's time for bed!! (oh, not just here, but personal emails etc!!).

Nite!! L&H, JM.

Freedom from Acne Forever
SAME PERSON?? -- Kaitlin, 20:24:41 03/02/00 Thu
Kelly: are you the same Kelly that was posting on the other board?? If so hows your skin doing and hows the weather in lovely Florida?
Hi Everyone -- Kaitlin, 20:22:21 03/02/00 Thu
First of all I'd like to say you did a really good job setting up this board. I only wish more people (from the other one) would post here! At this point (for once) my skin is doing really well. I'm just starting month 3 of accutane today, but I'm having lots of problems with makeup, hoping you can maybe help me??? I've got really fair skin, and both my cheeks are covered in red marks which are taking forever to go away. I'm using clinique acne control cover up with revlon one step makeup but its just not cutting it! You can still see those darn red marks shining through and the revlon stuff doesn't seem to stay very well. So if anyone has any suggestions about other types of makeup please fill me in. I have a quick questions about the nono-can you share it? My boyfriend gets cold sores/mouth ulcers all the time and I thought it would be good if we could both get use out of it. Sounds kinds unhygenic I guess but thought I'd ask. Hope everyones skin is getting better, as said below, here's to freedom from acne forever!!!!!
p/s Kelli -- Just Me, 15:08:31 03/02/00 Thu
p/s Kelli - that was far from being a silly question !! In fact it was quite valid as you need to be informed of the side effects etc of using any item and without asking you won't know!! (smiles)! JM
NONO and Accutane -- Just Me, 15:06:02 03/02/00 Thu
Hi Kelli :) ... re NONO and Accutane - I don't know too much about Accutane ... from reading the NONO official website, it says some patients have been using it with Minocin with faster results than those using it alone (bear in mind that Minocin itself as an antibiotic has it's own long term side effects like any antibiotic). NONO is a light therapy, ie like the Dermalux Lamp http://www.dermalux.co.uk/ which I am also using (about 3 weeks now and so far pretty good!). My instincts would say that yes, you can use NONO and Accutane as the NONO is just light therapy - however I would go into further detail - perhaps write to the manufacturers of the NONO light treatment and ask them just to be on the safe side. I'm not sure whether taking Accutane makes the users more sensitive to light etc ... just voicing my thoughts ... hope they help a little .. if not to guide you in the right direction! L&L, JM!
NONO -- Kelli, 14:42:45 03/02/00 Thu
Here's a silly question...can you use the NoNo device while on Accutane?
Thanks!
NONO Website Found!! -- Just Me, 10:40:43 03/02/00 Thu
Hiya all :)

After all these months of searching, I finally struck lucky and found the NONO official website!! Guess things happen at the right time for a reason! The link is:

"NONO Website"


L&L, JM.
Hello! -- Just Me, 15:14:02 03/01/00 Wed
Hello all :)

I haven't had time to check in the past couple of days ... buzzzie bee! :) ... to update those following (grins), Jasmine is very happy that she will be receiving her NONO probably by the end of this week. Jasmine, the package didn't arrive in today's post - though I am expecting it tomorrow. I usually leave before the post gets here so I'll get it when I'm home.

I haven't had time yet to change the details at the Acne Suppport Group Home Page ie for those who wish to purchase the NONO to contact me directly ... ... I guess I'd better do it soon as people are probably innundating Home Free with phone calls!

Okay, gotta rush ... this is a quickie! Jasmine, hope you're feeling better!! Will reply to your email soon!! It's been crazy since I got home last nite ....

L&H, JM
G-R-E-A-T N-E-W-S !!! -- Just Me, 18:42:30 02/28/00 Mon
Hello everyone - heya Jasmine!!

I'm sooooo excited!!! To summarise, I was put in touch with the suppliers of the NONO gadget and just spoke with him!! YES!!!

The company doesn't ship to individuals though has specified that they are happy to ship about a dozen NONO gadgets to me at a time if there is enough call ie from those who are suffering from acne!! The company mainly ships to mail order firms. This is GREAT!! He was happy for a one off to ship me a couple of NONO's ie one for myself and one for you Jasmine!! Yeah!! Send me your home details by email and as soon as I receive it I'll send it over to you - we can work out the details by email. He's only charging £24.99, so that's cheaper too!

If anyone else wants a NONO gadget, please write me at the my email address and when I get about 12 orders, I'll place an order with the company. The charge will be the same ie £24.99. As this has just happened only a few minutes ago, I'll have to think on the other intricate details a bit later ...!! There is plenty of stock so no worries about it running out!

YES!! This is soooo great!

L&H - have to rush for now!
JM
Refreshed and Good Morning -- Just Me, 10:41:40 02/28/00 Mon
Morning all :-) ...

I'm a little more refreshed than I was last nite now ... a quickie ... Maurice, would you like to share a little about yourself ie re how old you are, where you are from, any advice you can share re your experience with acne etc that would help fellow sufferes, especially those out there who are young and could use help to stop the many years of unhappiness with "knowledge" etc? When you're ready (smiles).

I checked out "Homeopathic Remedies For Acne from MotherNature.com" and looked under scarring and came up with quite some interesting articles! Worth a look! So far I've looked up under:

  • Acne
  • Oily Skin
  • Scarring

and they have all been very useful and helpful!

Have to rush ... this is a quickie! Hi everyone :) JM
((yawns)) -- Just Me, 23:35:50 02/27/00 Sun
Heya Maurice :-) - no worries, misreads etc happen from time to time! ~~ it's late and I gotta catch some zzzz's and use my Dermalux lamp now .. gee doesn't time fly on the weekends!! Jasmine, Rianne et all out there ... hope the acne and spots are keeping at bay! Jasmine, I have one small spot under my chin (grins) - think it came out in sympathy with yours :).... it's okay - I've been able to use the NONO on it! That reminds me, tomorrow I'll be making those regular calls to Home Free!

Nite everyone! L&H, JM
Rotting teeth -- Maurice, 06:50:47 02/27/00 Sun
Sorry Just Me, I equated black roots with rotting/rotten teeth. Read your post again and it never mentioned rotting teeth etc. Humble apologies. Great site (back tracking!!! now). Maurice
Hugs to beautiful Jasmine -- Just Me, 17:37:56 02/26/00 Sat
Hi all ... Hi Jasmine ... ((hugs)) to you sweetie! I didn't get a chance to log on last nite .. fell asleep on the sofa! :o)! Re not answering the door, I wouldn't worry about it as only a few months ago I did the same as I went through a phase of having really large pus filled acne on my face - ie just one at a time but boy were they big and I took days off work because of it and even one whole week once! Well it is bad and I just didn't want to look at myself in the mirror - I felt so grossed out by the site of the acne which just was stubborn and didn't want to go away. So Jasmine, I would take time out for yourself, don't worry about your friends, they'll understand - and will be there when you need them and if not, then well they weren't real friends then! Believe you me I have not answered the door many times when I had a bad phase of acne and especially first thing in the morning, ie with my face covered in cream from the night before ie baby powder on top of acne cream to absorb the oiliness! I look like a ghost at times (grins)!

It's great that you had clear skin for 3 years... I also know how that feels and then to suddenly be swamped by acne ... I've been there too. Don't worry - just explain to them when they ring etc that you just needed time for yourself and they'll understand.

I hope you are calling Dermalux Ltd every day and asking them when you can expect delivery on your replacement bulbs, especially as they arrived at the warehouse some weeks ago. If they are having issues with packing it, mention that you'll happily pay for a courier etc (? yes?) to go and pick them up or pick them up yourself if they are not too far away - ie go with a friend if that will help. Offer suggestions and make it clear that you will accept no excuses and that you expect delivery immediately! Don't apologise for calling as you are paying for a service - instead assert your rights as a paying customer.

I didn't hear from Home Free on Friday and I'm aiming to call them every day next week with an aim of expecting a delivery date or at least a positive response. They usually are willing to make the extra effort to help when one goes in with a positive attitude that they already have an answer! It's not a problem with finding out as I'd like to purchase a spare one for myself so no worries Jasmine!

I'm doing okay - didn't get to use my Dermalux last nite as I fell asleep - third time since I bought it that I haven't been able to use it ... but generally I'm okay. It's been a long time since I've had a period where I have no new acne (usually single ones) as for months as soon as I clear up, I get a new acne somewhere on my face! But now, I'm doing okay. I'm putting it down to my organic diet, definitely my vitamin and mineral supplements and also using the Dermalux - ie all combined to help it work inside and out! It's not one thing in general but everything combined ... if you read through the acne articles from the site below ie the Homeopathic remedies they offer some pretty good advice on acne, make up, treatments etc. I don't agree with all of them, but like usual I take what feels right for me and/or from experience what works for me and what doesn't etc. Having had acne for 22 years and being through so many scenarios I know a bit! My only regret is I wish I had been more informed all those years ago. I never knew Minicon and Tetracycline had those side effects and never knew that Dianette had the side effects as well ... ie my skin was clear when I took them but the side effects happened AFTER I stopped taking them! It's like the symptoms were supressed while taking them and wham bam they came on full blown after I stopped! The worst was when I stopped taking Diannette (which is a birth control pill which helps with acne) as I suffered from bad acne (probably cystic acne) for years after! I only stopped it like some 3-4 years ago.

Jasmine, hang in there and I'm rooting for you! Your Dermalux will arrive! You will receive a NONO gadget as well!!

Gotta go for now! Dinner beckons!

LoL, JM

Maurice, where did you read about "rotting teeth" exactly??
Anti biotics -- Maurice, 22:13:41 02/25/00 Fri
I have to question the whole anti-biotics thing...rotting teeth etc. That's a new one. I work with Medical Post graduates/researchers and they say they do make you more sensitive to the sun and children's teeth may be discoloured (due to parental intake)but rotting teeth is a new one. Your dentist didn't have to be a genius to figure out that you were taking antibiotics..anymore than being able to ascertain if you are a smoker etc.
No-No gadget -- Jasmine, 16:53:19 02/25/00 Fri
Hi everyone.Just Me.I just tried direct enquiries too and they said they had nothing under the name of C Traders.I have just done a terrible thing and not answered the door to one of my friends.I just can't bear certain people to see me with my skin this bad.My chin is just a mass of pus and crusts.Lovely eh!!The thing is there is only a few friends who I don't mind seeing me like this and the friend who knocked today I have only known about a year and he is male and I have had clear skin for about 3 years so he has never seen me like this.Even my closest friends have said my skin has never been this bad before.The thing is I don't have very good health so I don't get out very much so for company I rely on people visiting me so I know it's really bad to become a total recluse and turn my friends away but I just can't help it.I feel ashamed and uncomfortable to be seen like this.Anyway I must sound a right miserable ***.I'm normally quite cheery but you can only stand so much.I just hope the cream I've been given starts to kick in and I get new bulbs or the No-No gadget or something.Anyway enough of me.How are you?Thanks for all the effort you are putting in for me with the No-No thing.I am really grateful.Speak again soon love Jasmine
Freedom from Acne by Barrie Konicov -- Just Me, 14:06:29 02/25/00 Fri
p/s I wanted to mention that prior when I had mentioned the self hypnosis tape on Freedom From Acne by Barrie Konicov, which could be purchased from http://www.amazon.co.uk for £9.95 - as they don't have a description of the product there, I found one today, as follows:

Barrie Konicov from Talk Unlimited
This is his website on Self Hypnosis.

I've been using the tape now for a few weeks and though I should, I haven't yet been listening to it twice a week in a wakened state ie I always use it and fall asleep to it ... it's good though - I have a number of his tapes.

Enjoy!
Minocin / Tetracycline .... -- Just Me, 13:32:08 02/25/00 Fri
Heya all ... quick drop in ... have been spending some time at the Homeopathic MotherNature site, ie listed below (ie in the acne section) and came across the following link:

http://www.mothernature.com/news/1999_06_09/zt.stm

Rianne, it mentions the side effects etc of Minocin and Tetrycycline (and msg is generally stay away from antibiotics). That msg reminded me of when I had my wisdom teeth out a year or so ago ... the surgeon showed them to me after and he knew that I'd been on either Minocin or Tetracycline as the roots were BLACK!! That was the side effect of the antibiotics! Ergh!!! I had taken both Minocin and Tetracycline for years from the age of 18. My doctor never warned me of any side effects etc.

If you do a search for Oily Skin on the MotherNature site you'll come across some articles on Oily Skin as well as products to buy. I think I'll probably become a member soon as I already have my eye on a few products! The acne products ie homeopathy are rather good and reasonably priced. I may buy one of the acne products there too .. prevention is always better than cure!!

I am having a great time surfing though that site! It's amazing! I'm surprised I never found it before!

Hi Rianne, Jasmine and all ... hope you're all having a good skin day today and that those acne are packing up their bags and heading off home from wherever they came from!

Will write later ... Jasmine the second Home Free ring me back, I'll let you know!

I'm doing good still re the Dermalux Lamp ie no new spots (only one or two) but no acne! I'm so thrilled that it's just taken me days instead of the 8 weeks they mentioned for any noticable changes. I'm sure my organic diet and vitamin supplementation helps as well plus no alcohol or spicy foods etc. I'm just so glad I gave up alcohol and unhealthy eating though I know how it is when you're young and you want to party and eat the wrong foods etc ... you just have to bide your time .... I guess ... I don't know what the answer is ... a few years ago I would have say no way I'm not giving up drinking alcohol to stop spots etc .... now I gave up just cos I don't want to drink anymore ... ie just grew tired of it.. tired of the hangovers and the addiction to wanting to drink etc and the high you get from it ... anyway must rush! L&L
NONO UPdate and Homeopathic Remedies for Acne -- Just Me, 20:57:21 02/24/00 Thu
Hiya Jasmine and all again!

I just wrote a reply and my machine crashed and I lost it (boo hoo!) and having to do it all again now! Shucks!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I managed to eventually get hold of the person who I was speaking with last nite, whose name is Debbie from the Specialist Department at Home Free on x1701. She said she misinformed me last nite and that they are out of stock. I persuaded her to ask their suppliers to see if they could order stock in for us as she had mentioned last nite and she said she would contact them.

Earlier today I managed to find out the name of their supplier for the NONO gadget who are C Traders based in Berkshire. However I couldn't find a number for them via directory inquiries nor via the websites - grrr! I also tried a search for NONO and only come up with Innovations or Home Free! Care to try directory inquiries or anything local that may help? I tried DI twice and got different answers twice. By that time I was beginning to get irate as I don't really like Directory inquiries especially when they keep insisting on an exact location and address and I have nought!

Anyway, Debbie said she'd get back to me in the next few days. Jasmine, sweetie, this WILL happen! Either your Dermalux lights will arrive any day now or this NONO gadget will come through! We will succeed!! In the meantime, do take a look at the Homeopathic Remedy site that I found earlier today for Acne. The link again is:

Homeopathic Remedies for Acne.


When you click on the link, in the search box, type in Acne and it will give you quite a few links for acne help and treatments! I'm definitely going in for a proper read after Friends which starts in 6 minutes! (grins)! Riannne, as said earlier, I think you'll have a field trip at this site as it's fairly detailed ! Wahoo! I'm so excited! It even has a section on Accutane.

Okay, gotta rush for now.... Jasmine, I'll keep you posted and as said if they said I have to purchase it, I'll purchase it and we can sort out the rest of the stuff later etc ... or I'll write you and get your home details etc etc ... watch this space (smiles).

Take Sulpher sweetie! It really helps me with stubborn acne! Or read the acne site on homeopathy above and choose your own as there is Silica as well for acne ... take your pick!

Later! We will succeed! Your acne will be healed and you WILL have clear skin!! L&H, JM.
NONO UPdate and Homeopathic Remedies for Acne -- Just Me, 20:56:34 02/24/00 Thu
Hiya Jasmine and all again!

I just wrote a reply and my machine crashed and I lost it (boo hoo!) and having to do it all again now! Shucks!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I managed to eventually get hold of the person who I was speaking with last nite, whose name is Debbie from the Specialist Department at Home Free on x1701. She said she misinformed me last nite and that they are out of stock. I persuaded her to ask their suppliers to see if they could order stock in for us as she had mentioned last nite and she said she would contact them.

Earlier today I managed to find out the name of their supplier for the NONO gadget who are C Traders based in Berkshire. However I couldn't find a number for them via directory inquiries nor via the websites - grrr! I also tried a search for NONO and only come up with Innovations or Home Free! Care to try directory inquiries or anything local that may help? I tried DI twice and got different answers twice. By that time I was beginning to get irate as I don't really like Directory inquiries especially when they keep insisting on an exact location and address and I have nought!

Anyway, Debbie said she'd get back to me in the next few days. Jasmine, sweetie, this WILL happen! Either your Dermalux lights will arrive any day now or this NONO gadget will come through! We will succeed!! In the meantime, do take a look at the Homeopathic Remedy site that I found earlier today for Acne. The link again is:

,b>Homeopathic Remedies for Acne.


When you click on the link, in the search box, type in Acne and it will give you quite a few links for acne help and treatments! I'm definitely going in for a proper read after Friends which starts in 6 minutes! (grins)! Riannne, as said earlier, I think you'll have a field trip at this site as it's fairly detailed ! Wahoo! I'm so excited! It even has a section on Accutane.

Okay, gotta rush for now.... Jasmine, I'll keep you posted and as said if they said I have to purchase it, I'll purchase it and we can sort out the rest of the stuff later etc ... or I'll write you and get your home details etc etc ... watch this space (smiles).

Take Sulpher sweetie! It really helps me with stubborn acne! Or read the acne site on homeopathy above and choose your own as there is Silica as well for acne ... take your pick!

Later! We will succeed! Your acne will be healed and you WILL have clear skin!! L&H, JM.
Home Free / NONO -- Just Me, 17:01:01 02/24/00 Thu
Hi again Jasmine - the person who has been contacting me at Home Free doesn't start her shift until 6pm tonite so I'll call her when I get home or in the car (if I'm still in the car then). I tried speaking with her colleagues but they only could give me the suppliers name whom I can't trace via Directory inquiries. I think all will be revealed tonite! It'll be a positive outcome!!

p/s I hoped this wouldn't happen - shame it did! Never mind - it'll be fine this evening when I speak with the woman. If need be, I'll order it for you ... the rest can be sorted out later ... will report back later :o)
Jasmine ... didn't see your last message! -- Just Me, 13:44:56 02/24/00 Thu
Hiya Jasmine - I didn't see your last message before I posted! I just read it .... let me ring Home Free now ... will post again in a few mins ...
Way to go Jasmine / Homeopathic remedies for Acne -- Just Me, 13:42:57 02/24/00 Thu
Heya all - quickie ! Firstly y-e-a-h Jasmine! Good luck with the NONO and let me know if you get stuck with purchasing it! I hope that also by now your Dermalux light bulbs have arrived! If they are still delayed, perhaps you could consider buying(?) Rianne's Dermalux? or borrowing?! Keep me posted with how the NONO gadget works for you! Like me, you'll probably run the batteries out with the regular use :o)

This is rushed - I just wanted to share a link on "Homeopathic Remedies" for acne. I found it today and it looks great! Rianne, it's a field trip for you as I think you'll enjoy it! I know I will and it has more information for me on acne - in fact there's a lot! I'll include it in my many links on the main website! You guys get the first hand on this (grins)!

Gotta rush - later! :o)
No-No Gadget -- jasmine, 13:07:48 02/24/00 Thu
Hi everyone.To Just Me.Yes you've guessed it.Rang up Home Free.No don't stock it anymore,won't give me manufacturer's address,can't order it for me and the only way to do it is if you give me the person's name who rang you back and said it was O.K. to order and give me your account no. for the catalogue then I can ring up and give your account no.as a reference and ask for the person who will do it.They said as you have an account who ever rang you will be noted down on your account details.If worse comes to the worse could you order it for me but I know this is hassle with working out paying etc?I understand you might not want to give me your catalogue account no.If you want to e-mail me instead of posting on here you have got my e-mail I think from when we did all the posting back messages that had been wiped.If you can think of a better way than giving me your details then I'm cool.Whatever is best for you.I'm would be so grateful for you going to all this trouble for me anyway.I sometimes feel destined not to have any acne treatments what with still waiting for my Dermalux bulbs.Life is frustrating isn't it.Confused I am.Anyway Just Me speak soon love JasminexxP.S.You knew this would happen!!
No-No gadget -- Jasmine, 21:00:37 02/23/00 Wed
Hi everyone.To Just Me.Thanks for that.I rang Home Free but they didn't get back to me!You must sound more positive than me on the telephone.I will try ordering one tomorrow and tell you the outcome.My chin is so bad just a mass of pus and crusts.Sound attractive.Anyway cheers again love Jasmine.
p/s re NONO ordering -- Just Me, 18:13:16 02/23/00 Wed
p/s, I just had a thought! If any of you rings up Home Free and they said that they DO NOT stock the NONO anymore (ie if the person who answers doesn't know that they are taking orders, do write and let me know and I'll ring them up perhaps and place the order for you or I'll ring them and ask for a contact person etc that will okay the orders etc). I hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, let me know! Thx
Jasmine / NONO gadget -- Just Me, 18:05:29 02/23/00 Wed
Heya ... back briefly - To Jasmine and all interested !! Home Free just rang me up and said that they are now able to purchase the NONO gadget for anyone who wants one. They were not allowed to give away the manufacturers' name and contact details but happy to place any orders for anyone who wants to order one!

If you're interested, the number is +44 870 908 7080 (for international orders) and 0870 908 7080 for UK orders. Good luck with helping your acne heal faster! :o). To take a look at the NONO gadget click on the Acne Support Group Homepage link above.

Best of luck!!

p/s I may just buy another one myself just in case the one I currently have goes kaput! :o)
Real Time Chat & Innovations -- Just Me, 12:21:44 02/23/00 Wed
Morning all - well afternoon actually....!

Jasmine, Innovations rang me up at work yesterday but I wasn't around and they said they'd call back.... I'll keep you posted on what they say - though it sounds hopeful especially as they rang back so soon! :0)

Re the Real Time Chat room, I left a message there that if anyone wants their piccie next to their name (grins) or any symbol, ie a smiley face or any favourite gif file or anything, let me know, send me an email with your picture, gif file, etc and I'll add it to the Acne Support Group website and send you the URL to link to your name in the chat room! It's a cool feature!

Gotta rush for now! Later :0)
p/s -- Just Me, 22:26:46 02/21/00 Mon
p/s Rianne, if you really really still don't know how to do it, then let me know and I can register for you, and I'll give you a password, which you can change once you log on inside. If you have an email address write me ... I'll have to put in a programme on this site at the top somewhere so that people who don't have email addresses can write me ... soon, I promise!
To Rianne :) -- Just Me, 22:24:26 02/21/00 Mon
(grins) - Hi Rianne - I didn't want to risk my message being deleted into oblivion as it seemed the message board was disappearing again ie with the blue lines going in between messages!

Re the Real Time Chat room, you just need to register for a handle ie what you want to call yourself - I called myself JustMeUK - you could call yourself RianneUK or whatever you wished. The BeSeen site just asks you to register for a handle and that's all you need to do and each time you go into the real time chat room, you log in as your handle.

It'd be great if you logged on as you, Jasmine and I live in London so our timings are the same and we could all "chat" live sometime! I'd like that! And of course, all the others in the UK can join us too and those in the US and Singapor and everywhere else in the world, ie Australia etc!! We could always arrange a time some day soon!

The site again is: Acne Support Group's Real Time Chat Room! See you there soon!!

Gotta get to bed now! Nite :)
p/s -- Just ME, 16:55:20 02/21/00 Mon
p/s Jasmine, I'm glad you like the background :)! It took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to do! :) But worth it!! It is easier on the eyes. I'm still learning!!
Jasmine / NONO Information -- Just Me, 16:53:29 02/21/00 Mon
Hi Jasmine and all :)

Jasmine, I'm so sorrie that you're having a really bad time with the spots and acne. I know how it feels - I was there myself only a few weeks ago and even a few days ago ie with one acne on my left cheek which is still there but almost faded. The NONO really saved my life when I was going through the bad phases ie I could use it to help speed up the healing process ie so instead of weeks of having the acne it would be days. (((hugs))). Nothing I can say will make the pain and the unhappiness go away ... I wish I could take it all away but I can't. Whinge all you like sweetie ... THAT definitely helps! :-)

I just called up Home Free as I'm a long standing customer and they said they would look into it for me and provide a number or contact details for the NONO. They will revert back to me in 48 hours. I'll post the details here when I find out; and I'm fairly positive about this. I'll call up Innovations as well and say the same as I'm a long standing customer for Innovations.

I haven't been into the real time chat room for a few days but the last time I was there, there had a been a few people in there! It's a great place to go live for someone else who is suffering to talk to ie live! Support and understanding are the most important in getting through the painful stage ie emotionally, of having a bad phase of acne. I used to really really get upset by the double looks by family and friends and work colleagues. And there was nothing I could do - except feel completely low and down .... and wanting to just disapear! Gotta go for now ... (((( hugs)))) again!
sorry -- jasmine, 12:53:51 02/21/00 Mon
Sorry didn't mean to post twice.love jasmine
spots -- Jasmine, 12:51:31 02/21/00 Mon
Hi everyone.Hi Just Me.This is all very clever and the background is much more pleasant on the eyes than yellow.I'm glad to hear you are getting on with your Dermalux lamp.I rang the Home Free catalogue about the No-No lamp and she is going to look into it for me and ring me back.I am still having a really bad time.I have started my Skinoren cream but it takes at least a month before any improvement.Meanwhile I am just covered.One of the spots on my chin is about the size of a five pence piece and just got so many I have no chin left.I am very depressed about it all.Anyway enough whining.Just wanted to say hi and good luck with this project.I went into the chat room but there was nobody there.I hope it catches on.Anyway take care love Jasmine.
spots -- Jasmine, 12:49:30 02/21/00 Mon
Hi everyone.Hi Just Me.This is all very clever and the background is much more pleasant on the eyes than yellow.I'm glad to hear you are getting on with your Dermalux lamp.I rang the Home Free catalogue about the No-No lamp and she is going to look into it for me and ring me back.I am still having a really bad time.I have started my Skinoren cream but it takes at least a month before any improvement.Meanwhile I am just covered.One of the spots on my chin is about the size of a five pence piece and just got so many I have no chin left.I am very depressed about it all.Anyway enough whining.Just wanted to say hi and good luck with this project.I went into the chat room but there was nobody there.I hope it catches on.Anyway take care love Jasmine.
To Jasmine -- Just Me, 23:01:35 02/20/00 Sun
Hi Jasmine (smiles) - I'm doing okay with my Dermalux Lamp. It's been almost 2 weeks now and no new spots or acne have appeared. My skin is also less oily for some reason and I'm not sure if that is due to the lamp. Usually after I've washed my face, it gets oily within just minutes but now after hours, only a little oil is by the nose area. I'm not even taking natrum mur! I'm only taking Sulphur (ie homeopathy) once a day or maybe twice. I know my hormones have a lot to do with all this and this month I can tell that my hormones are on track and my period will be on time, so maybe that helps as well. I'm thinking also that maybe the Dong Quai (supplements for hormones) that I'm taking are eventually kicking in (just a guess).

I'm sorry to hear that you picked your spots - yeah I know how tempting it can get. For me, I just have to burst an acne ie one that is big and large and filled with pus, cos it looks gross and you just want the pus to get out, so you squeeze it. Hang in there, one day soon your acne will be gone. I'm sure when your Dermalux bulbs arrive, you'll be on your way to clear healthy skin again. I'm surprised they are taking so long to wrap up 4 bulbs!! Geez! Sending you lots of wishes for a speedy recovery from your phase of acne / spots at the moment!

Yeah, it took ages to scan in the NONO gizmo and build the website! I'm just learning and it's taking a while. Once you get the hang of what works and what button does what it all falls into place - it's the learning that takes the time!! I'm glad I was able to put it on the site! If enough people call up Home Free and/or Innovations, I'm sure they will put the NONO gadget back on the market as I think they stopped it cos there wasn't enough demand ie those with acne didn't KNOW about it!! But now they do!! Do trying ringing - you may get a better response? It's worth a try!

Sorrie - I'm posting here as I find it easier to type in the box here than to go through all those links at the other site and it takes forever for the messages to load back up. I read there and will post there from time to time per usual - my main irk were the missing messages, ie you say something important etc and then the messages go missing (grrrrr!) (grins)!

To worried mom, I hope your daughter gets better soon. I don't think the drugs helped much. I don't know anything about drugs as I've never taken any at all in my life, though figure they can't be doing her any good. Some have responded to you at the Accutane site, which I'm glad about!
Accutane and Acute Psychosis -- worried mom, 13:55:17 02/20/00 Sun
My daughter is a beautiful 20 year old with no history of neuroses whatsoever...not even depression. She has a 135 IQ and we have great expectations for her. However as of last Tuesday she is in the psych ward at our local hospital. She lives at home, drinks moderately, smokes pot on occasion and recently (two weeks before she started getting sick) did a line of "coke." at a party. She has tried the drug Xstacy in the past (months ago) at least twice. Two weeks ago, she began taking the drug Accutane...with in 4 days she was showing symptoms of paranoia and defragmentation of thought patterns. After 6 days she was totally out of touch...delusional, hallucinating...paranoid thinking plants animals and humans were trying to communicate with her subliminally. She got so bad I was afraid she would hurt herself because she was wandering the house and property at night, that I signed papers to commit her. She was admitted for "Acute Psychosis" Have you ever heard of such side effects from Accutane? And so quickly?There is no history of psychosis in either side of the family that we know of. Of course I want to think that this is the culprit...And indeed, after being off it for almost a week now, she is much better, but not 100 percent, and of course she is on Anti pyschotic drugs and zoloft now...Any input you can give would be so appreciated. Could the damage be permanent?
Information on Nono -- Just Me, 00:54:41 02/20/00 Sun
Hi all - I've managed to scan in the advert from Innovations regards the NONO treatment gadget finally. It's on my homepage @ "Acne Support Group in Cyberspace Homepage". It's just been built and under test .... so there'll be the odd error I've not spotted ... Jasmine, you get to see what it looks like now! :)

CHL, you're reading different things into my response to you. I never said that I doubted your statement that Iodine causes acne. And what I mentioned re Lecithin was what was on the description of the Lecithin tins I picked up at the health store. I used to weight train and the description reminded me why I took Lecithin all those years ago, ie to rebuild lost energy. Obviously you are taking Lechithin and protein for different reasons, and they are all valid. No one is saying you are wrong. There are apples and pears and some people prefer apples and some pears - there is no right or wrong, just different choices. Sweetie, I would have very happily purchased the protein powder this afternoon but it wasn't for me at this particular time as I take enough supplements and I had a decision to make, based on my own personal knowledge over the years of working out and the supplements I'm taking. I did not make the decision lightly nor on the spur of the moment, but based it on my own knowledge. I appreciate all your input and your enthusiasm over your own personal protein intake and sharing it here with all of us. I'm sure you've helped some out there reading in. I wish you well on your journey and happy days with clear skin!

It's late and I gotta get to bed. Nite!
Disappointed -- chineseherblady, 18:04:26 02/19/00 Sat
Hi Just Me, Well, maybe some day in all your efforts to search out for information you will also read somewhere that IODINE may be a culprit for acne. It is interesting that you say that lecithin is for people who work out and something about lost energy. I don't work out major. I do exercise regularly and am a energetic person and I know that eating many carbohydrates caused my energy level to fluctuate. I am not sure if there are any "Protein" supplements other than the powder. They only thing that I mentioned about your diet was the seafood I did not mention anything about potatoes JUST THE SEAFOOD and seafood is one of my favorites but I always got a big breakout within a few days after eating it. Well, a person can maintain (in other words live) with minimal levels of protein intake, however, if my skin is made up of protein and the protein that I take in goes here and there (wherever it is needed) and there is no protein left to go the the skin where it is needed to rejuvinate the skin then I guess if I have a skin problem then my skin will not be able to heal properly. So whatever. I do know that I have not heard of anyone that is freed from acne from Goat Soap or any kinds of cleanser at all actually, nono gadgets, Dermalux lamp. I see alot of people hoping but not one has cured them of acne. Acne is from the inside and I will leave this forum with knowing that I have been cured of cystic acne with Chinese Herbs and it really doesn't matter to me if anyone else uses it. It was nice to be able to share and give people the opportunity to know that Chinese Herbs are available. Best wishes to all on your journey to freedom from acne. I hope someday you find what it is you need to help you. I have found it. Thank you for inviting me into your forum.
Food habits -- Just Me, 17:00:17 02/19/00 Sat
Hi everyone, Jasmine, Rianne, Rob, Chinese Herb Lady and everyone .....

CHL, thx for the input re seafood. I got my diet from the Macrobiotic Approach to Cancer by Michio Kushi which I refer to regards to healing myself of toxins etc in the blood as I had a lump removed about 2 years ago and it recurred a few months ago (both non malignant). Prawns were definitely on there as a healing food/food that promotes health etc. I got my diet re organic potatoes and brocolli from Miko's Macrobiotic Diet too. I didn't want any lumps to recur so going by his diet. I note what you say though. Thx. Re the banana thing, I probably should have rephrased ... the book I'd read or the article mentioned that those with cellulite should stay away from bananas and not that bananas cause cellulite - ie it doesn't help. Having said that like anything else, everyone is open to taking what feels right for them and letting the rest go, just like any acne treatment ie what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I think an individual usually knows when something "feels" right and/or if you're going to go for it, eg take me and the Dermalux Lamp and when I asked Jasmine and others for their feedback about it. Both Jasmine and Rob answered and I kinda went with my gut instincts and took what I needed from Jasmine's and Rob's response and went ahead and bought one, cos it felt right for me. Now I could have gone the other way if my instincts had said no .. it's all down to the individual ... eg Jasmine and the NONO gadget. For me it works wonders ie with individual acne ie it helps in the healing process. Jasmine is trying to buy one ... and maybe others out there are too ... if it's meant to happen it will. Gee I've lost track now ... (grins)!

Re the source of iodine and acne, yeah, I'm all for absorbing information and I would love to hear what the article has to say. Information is power ! :) Re the protein drink,... I went to the health store and looked at the protein cans and read the descriptions etc and decided that it wasn't for me as (1) Lecithin is for those who work out ie body build and to replenish lost energy etc and (2) the other protein drinks contain soya and lots of supplements ie of which I take almost every supplment you can think of which means if I took the protein drink, I would be overdosing on my supplements, which is a nono. As it is I have to be careful and read every ingredient of each supplement I buy, ie as sometimes you buy Evening Primrose Tablets and you read that it has extra B6 in it or something, and I'm already taking B6, so I'd be overdosing - so I have to make sure I buy each supplement in it's pure form, ie no mixtures. When I started taking Dong Quai and Enchinecea my body reacted for the first few weeks, ie I got diahorrea for days! Then it stopped! I was taking chrolophyl (spelling?) and the same happened as well!! So coming back to what I was saying re the protein drink, I figured that I'm already taking enough protein ie by my supplements as the descriptions of the pure protein powder mentioned that it just included supplements and named them ... which was what I was already taking. Re my energy levels, I have a sleep condition which causes me to be excessively tired and we're trying to figure out a solution etc and/or find the cause etc.

Re tofu, how do you cook it? It's one of the recommended foods of the Macrobiotic Foods and I keep meaning to buy it but don't know how to cook it! DUH! I love tofu! I usually have it at a Chinese Restaurant! Yumm!! Would love to hear the receipe for your veg, tofu and rice! My kinda food - just wish I knew how to cook it!

You wanna know about my diet? Junk food? .. hmm, I don't really eat junk foods anymore. Especially since listening to the Barrie Konicov's hypnopsis tape on Freeddom from Acne! In the tape he tells you that you will no longer be attracted to foods that aren't good for you (that's not his exact words but the gist!) ... and since the tape I haven't bought any chocolate eclairs (grins) - ie I walk straight past them at Sainsburys and my stomach turns over when I think of eating one! So I guess his tape helps with any junk food ie like sweets! I'm a crisp person - that's my biggest flaw! Not really a chocolate person, or a sweet, or a MacDonald's - not any more - will probably eat Kentucky once in a while ... but mainly I stick to the healthy foods these past few months, with my supplements. My diet is okay I think - I just could expand it a little more. I have Miko's book which I have to read properly ... though it contains too many japanese foods which are so boring!!

I have to run ... later!
Seafood=Iodine -- chineseherblady, 20:16:40 02/18/00 Fri
Hi Just Me, Your Diet sounds like it would be tasty. I hate to pop your bubble but I have read that iodine in seafood may by a culprit for acne. I really like shrimp, crab, etc. but I avoid it. I tried eating it a couple of times and either it was a coincidence or not, I broke out within a few days. Regarding the Banana fiasco. Personally I don't believe that eating bananas all day will rid acne. Actually I do believe that too much of many things is not good. Balanced nutrition is the key. And I also personally do not think that bananas cause cellulite. I know that one banana a day in my protein smoothy is just perfect. If you want I can find the source I read about iodine possibly being a culprit for acne. Actually I read it in a couple of places. I am just on my lunch I will post more this weekend. I get three days off instead of the normal two. Yipppeeee for me. Anyway if I recall you said you might start on your protein drink this weekend? I weigh 115 lbs and I am 5' 3". My body doesn't require as much food as alot of people. ANyway my nutrition intake consists of "smart ground" ( I put it into meals that would normally have hamburger. I eat vegetables, tofu, and rice. Nutrition isn't always exciting. It is however, quite a job to learn to eat nutritionally. It really isn't something that I can say in one sitting. It involves looking at your diet and seeing if anything needs to be replaced or added or removed. If you want I would be willing to go through it with you maybe make suggestions and we can see what happens. Patience will perservere. We really need to look at your height, weight, what your personal desires are? etc. So if you want to let me know what types of stuff, (junk food, meals) we can look at it. I am learning too but I like the direction it is taking me. First thing though I would like to know how your protein drinks works for you.
p/s -- Just Me, 19:14:34 02/18/00 Fri
Ooooh, that end bit didn't come out so here it is again!

p/s another great book on homeopathy The Family Guide to Homeopathy : Symptoms and Natural Solutions by Dr Andrew Lockie
The Liver Diet & Protein by CHL! -- Just Me, 19:10:05 02/18/00 Fri
Hello again .... responding as promised (have to be quick as I have to go out and won't be back tonite and won't be able to use my Dermalux (aauuuuuwww)!!  Here goes .. only have a few mins left ...

Hi Chinese Herb Lady ... thx for sharing your routine re making the protein drink.  Again, it sounds yummy scrummy!!  I wish I could remember what I put in my protein drink all those years ago when I was weight training... I know I had either Lecithin granules (protein right?) - duh, from not doing it so long I've forgotten all the info etc!  Anyway, it's noted re your grammes etc ... actually on second thoughts I would always follow what the Joe Weider book said ie on the protein drinks and/or the Muscle and Fitness magazines.  So I probably got the portions right.  What was my skin like then?  .... if I remember rightly I had acne still (cos I wrote a journal which I found when I moved here about 2 years ago and it mentioned I had acne).  I can't remember what I was taking for acne then ... I was around 23 years old .... I'd just stopped drinking and smoking and went on a fitness spree .... and probably also came off the Pill.  That probably messed my insides up a bit.  When you're young you don't think too much of the side effects of taking chemicals and suppresants in your body.

I think the acne wasn't bad then ... just the odd one or two.  I remember feeling bloated all the time despite working out at 5am in the morning before I went to work!!  I was fit.  I think the only times that my acne was non existant was when I was on Diannette and also on Minocin or Tetracycline.  As I grew older I just didnt' want to be addicted to those pills as I kept having to get a repeat prescription.  As you get older you care about your health more and you see the side effects.

I remember going to a few dermatologists at the hospital as I was really tired of having acne and they just said I had an over production of androgen, the male hormone and that the only thing that would stop it was to go on the Pill.  End Story!!  And they said the usual, ie "You'll grow out of it!"  Humbug!!  Pah!  If only THEY had acne!!

My mom had acne too though my GP insists that it is not hereditary!!  My sister's skin is clear and clean and she doesn't get acne at all - just those small zits!  She doesn't realise how lucky she is - so I guess perhaps it's in the genes!  She looks like my dad and I look like my mom, so maybe I inherited my mom's genes!  (groan)!

Re cellulite - (grins) - yes that's that stuff on your thighs (grins) mainly!!  ie that orange dimply peel effect which some men have too!!

p/s re your diet - do you have any recommendations on what kinda stuff you eat etc?  It's really hard to find the right healthy diet and mine gets really boring at times though when I like something I usually eat it every day till I get bored!!  Currently I'm on king prawns for dinner with organic brocolli and organic potatoes, followed by herbal tea and some fruit.  For lunch if I don't bring anything in ie pasta with tinned tuna, then I'll get some pasta from Tescos or buy a salmon sandwich from the staff restaurant, drinking a few cups of herbal tea during the day and trying to pile in some water there!!  Then I take my many supplements.

If you know of any links etc re a diet for acne etc, I'd be most interested and also to hear of your diet.

I have to rush now .... as promised here is the Liver Diet by Doctor Andre Lockie specially recommended for acne to cleanse the liver out (to be done for one month at least).    :-)


Acne
From The Family Guide to Homeopathy (pg 336)
By Doctor Andrew Lockie

from pg 336 "

    ... the Liver Diet on pg 352 followed for 1 month, should also have a positive effect."

Liver Diet
From The Family Guide to Homeopathy (pg 352)
By Doctor Andrew Lockie

This diet has been used to good effect by a naturopath and by a homeopathic doctor in the treatment of a variety of conditions where malfunctions of the liver is suspected.  Its purpose is to avoid those foods which the liver finds difficult to process. Time limit:  one month.  Then have "forbidden" foods twice weekly.
 
 
Foods to avoid Foods to be eaten in unlimited quantities
A. Meat, fowl A.  Fish (white preferred, limited tinned fish with oil washed off).  Pulses - beans, peas and lentils.
B. Eggs B. Tofu - a soya milk product also known as bean curd available from Chinese food shops
C. Refined bread and cereals C. Wholemeal bread, unsweetened whole grain cereals and wholegrains - brown rice, wholewheat pasta
D. Sugar, foods containing sugar, syrup, treacle, honey D. Molasses, unsweetened jams (refrigerate after opening), Marmite.
E. Cows' and goat's milk and products eg cheese. E. Soya milks
F. Tomatoes, citrus fruit, bananas, avocados F. Vegetables, pineapples, grapes, melons.  Suitable fruits tinned in natural juice.
G. Nuts (except almonds) G. Almonds sunflower and sesame seeds.
H. Coffee, cocoa, alcohol, 2 cups of tea only a day H. Grain coffees, herb teas, suitable unsweetened fruit juice, Rooibosch and maté teas
I. Chocolate I. Carob powder
J. Fried food J. Food can be sauteéd using cold-pressed margarine or oil or vegetable butter
 
Restricted Foods: Berries (strawberries, raspberries, goosberries etc) and apricots, peaches, sultanas, raisins and dates can be eaten twice a week in unlimited quantities.  Less than one eighth teaspon salt can be taken daily.

Suggested menu plaln

Uncooked breakfast
- muesli or breakfast cereal and soya milk or some suitable fruit juice.  Wholemeal toast and suitable margarine or spread.

Cooked breakfast 
- Mushrooms on toast or white fish.  Porridge and soya milk.

Main meal
- White fish / pulse dish / textured vegetable protein.  TVP is available from helath food shops - two meals weekly only.  Wholemeal pasta / browon rice / potatoes.  Fresh vegetables, some uncooked if possible ie as a side salad with the meal.

Desserts 
- suitable fruits, with or without a wholemeal pastry or crumble.  Desserts based on soya milk.  Brown rice puddings with soya milk.

Smaller meals
- wholemeal sandwiches with a suitable filling ie Marmite, pear/apple spread, tahini spread, lentil or bean spread.  Salad.  Suitable fresh or stewed fruit.  Home-made soup with wholemeal bread.

p/s another great book on homeopathy 

Liver Diet for Acne -- Just Me, 10:43:23 02/18/00 Fri
Hello - just a quickie for the moment .... hi Chinese Herb Lady :) - glad you like the background! It took me ages and ages to find the right picture and then chose the right parts of the picture to make the background! So yes, it's my own handiwork!! It may look easy but it was oooh, so tricky to get it just right! I'm still learning!

I will be back later to respond to your posts and also share of the Liver Diet for Acne from the homeopathy book that I have ... details to follow later on tonite. ... back later! :)
Stuff -- chineseherblady, 03:11:59 02/18/00 Fri
Just Me, The blender really doesn't get too dirty as I put enough rice milk (not sure exactly) that when I add 1 full banana, 1 large apple peeled and cored, and 2 gigantic (well gigantic as they can be - I mean only so much yogart will fit on top of a Tablespoon) Tablespoonfuls of yogart and the whole mixture fits into a 32 oz. mug. It pours really easy. I guess with the amount of rice milk I add. I think soy milk might make the consistency and tad thicker but I can't remember as I only used it once or twice so far. I just rinse it out and run cuz I am usually in a hurry in the morn also. That is another one of my goals, to get my natural breathing (all the time) to relax me and also not rush so much in the morn LESS STRESS which will have a domino effect on skin. Anyway cellulite, is that the stuff that gets on the backs of the thighes that isn't soft anymore. I had that once. I was really worried but ya know what, I wonder if that wasn't a nutrition deficiency. Maybe not but I don't have that anymore, it is soft again. Ya know back to that skin is made up of protein thing. With this protein nutrition if you eat high carbs still in the afternoon you may not find that protein has the ideal effect. So let me know what types of nutrition you have in the afternoon and evening once you start protein. When you use to drink protein drinks did you have skin troubles? Also are you going to get the 24 grams per serving powder?
Background -- chineseherblady, 02:57:16 02/18/00 Fri
Just Me, Now that is a background. That is awesome. Please keep this one. It just came into focus as I was reading the 2nd post. Nice treat.
p/s -- Just Me, 23:19:54 02/17/00 Thu
CHL - I meant to say, yes, I'll keep you posted in the next few days how my energy level goes!" I'm really looking forward to this!! I love bananas though stayed away from them for years as I'd read somewhere that they added to cellulite! (grins)!! I'm fairly slim but nevertheless I didn't want to add to the amount of cellulite that automatically comes with being a woman, and especially a woman whose hormone levels are off the charts!!
Yummy!!!! -- Just Me, 23:16:07 02/17/00 Thu
Hi Chinese Herb Lady! Yummy, yummy, yummy! My taste buds went all watery at reading your protein shake!! Yes, I definitely think I will give it a try. I used to weight train and used to take the supplements and drink the shakes - that was years ago. I will just take it up again ... (then I went on the Joe Weider recommended protein drinks etc - ie kinda spoon fed!). I will visit the health shop on Saturday and pick up some protein powder! Yummy, yummy! And bananas are good for you too huh, so someone was saying at the Accutane site! I'll have to buy a new blender too - one that's easy to wash in the morning as if I leave it - it'll sure clog up!! :) Thx for the tip CHL!!

Now I must go and try catch those 8 hours sleep! Think I missed it as I was a way to go with my Dermalux lamp and it'll be an hour before I get to bed. Nite!

Maurice - thx for the support!! :-) Appreciated!! See you soon!!
energy -- chineseherblady, 20:18:17 02/17/00 Thu
Hi Just Me, yes I think protein plays a big part (at least for me) in energy levels. Now I have a nice level energy all day long. Definitely sounds like it would not hurt you ,and it actually may be good for you to dive into the protein world. What if you just picked up some 24 grams of protein powder per serving and some rice or soy milk and if you want to add some banana, apple, and plain lowfat yogart or whatever combo and just try it while you are researching the protein thing. If you do I would be really curious as to how you feel within a few days or a week. Now it may also be that the rest of my nutrition for the day is contributing to the nice level energy I have. In other words I practice good nutrition all day and I'll mention again daily water intake, 30 minuntes physical exertion every other day, and I go to sleep so I get 8 or more hours of sleep. Anyway, I look forward to hearing your results if you add the protein. Peace
Acne Support Group -- Maurice, 18:33:34 02/17/00 Thu
Good luck with your project. You have my support. I will check in regularly. Bye for now.
Real Time Chat Room -- Just Me, 16:17:29 02/17/00 Thu
Hiya again! I see some of you have already found the Real Time Chat Room last nite! (refer link above) and hope some of you were able to get together in real time to chat etc ... it's a pretty cool gizmo!! Look forward to chatting with some of you soon in real time in the room ...

In the meantime, I have to concentrate a little on the main page of the Acne Support Group in Cyberspace to help those who will eventually arrive at this page so that they can get the help and support that they need ... more so support and other people who know what they are going through as I personally feel one of the worst things about having acne is that you feel all alone! I had it (and still do some) since I was 13 (I guess when my periods started) and I'm now 35, which makes it gee some 22 years! And I felt alone pretty much all of the time ... probably why I'm a loner and prefer my own company .... cos no one around me has acne, apart from one of my cousins who doesn't live in the same country ... everyone else has had normal healthy skin and people (ie family wise) always used to comment about my acne ie why I wasn't growing out of it as I grew older etc etc etc and that just makes you want to crawl into your own skin when you hear them say that .... and when you have people passing you in the street just staring at you cos you have some large acne on your face - you just want the ground to swallow you up .... and there's no where you can turn to to hide, and also when there's a light shining on your face when you have bad acne and in company ie friends where you want to be liked etc and you feel ugly and out of place cos you have acne .. some friends accept you as you are and don't even notice and some just stare at you and your acne, making you feel even more self conscious than you already are!

Ohhhh, that felt good to let that out! Thx!
Protein & herbs!! -- Just Me, 16:01:50 02/17/00 Thu
Hi Chinese Herb Lady! ... a quick one ... re energy, my energy levels aren't that great - in fact they're not too good! If protein is helping zap energy into you that's interesting to note as for months I have been trying energy pills and iron tablets etc and nothing much helped. I must do some reading up on this. Interesting to note your comments on yoga and breathing!

Question for the women here ... (men you can skip over (grins)! ... do you find that each month, when you get that transparent jelly like discharge (is that ovulation? - duh me - I've always wondered about that!) ... that your skin is much better and clearer than the months that you don't? Last month I had no discharge and my skin was bad and this month I am discharging and my skin is okay ... though tumm is a bit bloated. Any one noticed anything unusual for themselves ie any patterns?

I envision in the very near future, a time when we all have clear, healthy, normal skin, and that a cure for acne is found once and for all! - just because we all deserve to have normal healthy clear skin.
Chinese Herbs -- chineseherblady, 15:26:24 02/17/00 Thu
Hi Just Me, It is actually the Chinese Herbs that have cured me of cystic acne. improved 90 to 95 percent. The protein is possibly assisting in this. It seems to have improved a bit more but mainly trying to supply the proper amount of protein can provide many benefits. I have a nice level energy all morning which helps my stress level at work which in turn helps spots. I wonder if acne sufferers all have much energy that isn't dispersed properly. Exercising, proper nutrition, proper sleep, all help with stress and stress seems to affect spots so concentration on all of these and daily intake of water. My newest revelation is that of breathing and yoga. I think breathing may be a factor also (affecting stress) It is not just spots that these things help with but also preventing other health issues and just all around feeling good, etc. We can reap nothing but benefits.
Chinese Herb Lady -- Just Me, 11:37:16 02/17/00 Thu
Hi Chinese Herb Lady! .... I'm still having probs at work - ie can't see the blue background ... but at least I can get in via Netscape! All that fancy gizmo background and it wouldn't work! (grins).

Re protein.... I will read up on your old notes at the Accutane site and supply feedback on my own comments etc. It sound really interesting ie if it had an affect on acne ie helps etc. If you're happy and willing to share with others what you have learnt in your trials and errors re the cystic acne and how protein helped you, I'm more than happy to include your "protein piece" on the main acne support group website - you supply the info and I'll format it and make it look professional etc with the layouts. Same goes to anyone else, ie if you have any treatments etc that you feel will benefit and help others etc, and happy to write about it, then drop me a line, and I'll include it on the main website ... formatted and with your name and email (if you wish to be included etc).

p/s Rianne, re the Cica Gel sheets, I haven't started using them yet. Will advise on how they work etc when I start!

Re Dermalux Lamp... I think it's working well as my skin is clearing up and no new acne or spots are forming since I used it! I know it takes 8 weeks before any signs of improvement etc take place ... so not sure whether this is just a good phase for me or whether it's the Dermalux! It's too coincidental to be just a run of luck though (grins)! The past day or so I haven't needed to use my NONO gadget either ie the red light therapy to help the one acne I have on my cheek as it's fading all by itself each hour ! It's still quite a size that it's noticeable and it's a not very nice feeling looking at the mirror and seeing the bump on my face as you just want to look away and think how gross that is! I don't understand why in the year 2000, someone hasn't yet come up with a cure for acne ... and why some of us get it and others don't. If it is to do with hormones etc, then why can't someone come up with something natural to help that? I personally take Dong Quai which is for hormones (think men can take it too as it's a supplement). I think it's been helping too.

back later ...
Protein -- C.H.L., 02:31:36 02/17/00 Thu
Hi, Just Me. This is a great site. You should be proud of yourself. I really like the "stories" idea too. That way I would not have to explain over and over again my story. Yeah, actually she said our skin is made up of protein. I really look forward to hearing the results of your personal protein survey. How much protein you consume on the average. Also daily water intake, exercise????, and plenty of sleep. I have to go exercise now and then fix dinner but I will mark this site as a favorite. Later
Jasmine, Rianne, CHL, Kate, & Terrance -- Just Me, 10:35:49 02/16/00 Wed
Quickie message ..., as promised ... I haven't had a chance to read the messages the past day or so .... so this one is from memory for the day before that ...

Hi Jasmine ....
Re the NONO gadget, I'd say that HomeFree is your best bet as I saw the NONO gadget / gizmo in their catalogue around the Christmas period. I wish you much luck there!! The NONO gadget has "saved" my life many times ie especially lately for the odd stubborn acne. Without it I'd be under my bedsheet covers for days and weeks not wanting to come out - though having to as I need to pay the bills! I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with acne at the moment. I have had my fair share and know what it's like to wake up to a sore face, take a look in the mirror and just want to go back to bed, and wake up and hope that they'd all be gone ... but they never are! It makes you feel that you're a bad person somehow for having acne, - ie why does it happen to you etc, after everything you've tried to do, all the medication, diet, cleaning routines etc etc and still the acne comes back time after time again ... it feels like a punishment - and you search high and low for cures all over and buy everything possible that you can get your hands on or any book that offers the slightest bit of hope .... and yet the acne still comes back -ie the old ones heal but new ones keep coming - especially in areas you never thought acne could grow! Jasmine, ((hugs)). One day soon, they'll all be gone and we'll all have clear healthy normal skin! Yeah!

Hi Rianne .....
Hope you're doing okay. Keep up with the Natrum Mur ... I've actually stopped taking Natrum Mur and have been on Sulphur ie the 30C dosage and I think it's been helping as my skin isn't that much greasy now and the acne is healing faster - though not sure how much that is to do with the Dermalux lamp which I've been using for a week now. Jasmine, my skin was only really tight the first couple of days - though I'm thinking now that could have been to do with the make up I was using ... and not the lamp. I had an acne grow on the side of my cheek a few days ago - just like that and used the NONO gadget and bezeeses, it healed up fairly fast!!! I was very impressed and obviously very happy! Again, maybe the Dermalux helped as well? I'm not too sure at the moment. Things are going okay ... I have small red spots ie the red ones with pus inside (ergh! - hate that word!) and one acne on cheek (ie the hard one - but with the use of NONO it is healing fast and gets to that pus stage in hours - ie where the pus breaks out and the acne grows smaller ... (oh dear it all sounds so gross when put on words! ergh!).

HI Chinese Herb lady ...
re protein intake - duh .. I'm not too hot on that one. I''ll look into what you said and perhaps get going again on those protein drinks you guys are talking about! I could sure use that for mornings as I hardly eat breakfast! Your diet is interesting ie with the protein and I didn't realise that the body is made up of protein etc etc .. I'll have to read up more on what you have written - as said I haven't had much time to read the board ....

Have to rush off for now ... this is a quickie ... later!

p/s Hi Kate & Terrance - I hope someone answers your question either directly or here ....
Accessing page via Netscape -- Just Me, 09:56:31 02/16/00 Wed
Hello again ... p/s if anyone is having any problems accessing this page via Netscape, ie like I'm having at work, please could you either write here and let me know or write me at my email (click on my name). I can view it via Internet Explorer at work, but with Netscape, I can't see the background nor logo at top ... and wonder whether it is just the firewalls etc at work etc ... or something else. Appreciated! Thx.

p/s there are teething problems as I go along and I'm fixing it constantly ... or adding bits and pieces to improve. If anyone has any ideas of backgrounds or logos for the top (the computer support was the only appropriate thing I could find ... for the time being) ... it'd be appreciated! :)
Timing is 8 hours behind London -- Just Me, 07:58:20 02/16/00 Wed
NB: Just counted - the timing is 8 hours behind London!!
Welcome!! :) -- Just Me, 07:56:59 02/16/00 Wed
Hi all - welcome to those that have taken a peek into the room overnight!! :) - there were some teething problems with the Board and the newest posts went to the bottom - I have now fixed it. By the way, it is in the US time zone - I'll have to figure out the time difference and will post it in the header later on so people from the UK will know what the timings are etc. Later :)
Dosage -- Kate, 04:29:38 02/16/00 Wed
I was just put on Roacc today, and the doctor started me off with 60 mg. I only weigh 120. Isn't this too much?
When will the red marks fade? -- Terrance, 00:00:47 02/16/00 Wed
I was wondering when the red marks from my Accutane treatment will fade and how long Accutane continues to work after treatment. If oyu can respond I would greatly appreciate it.
Acne Support Group Chat Room -- Just Me, 23:12:22 02/15/00 Tue
A quick message ... to introduce you to the new chat room. All you need to know is just take it away and discuss as per normal. Re the real time chat room, you'll need to register before you can enter the room (it's totally free - just for security reasons) and it's in Real Time, which is great fun!

Oh, I created this room because of all the disappearing messages at the Accutane site .... the more chat rooms the merrier as more people will join in and share information. By the way, the aim is to set up a main page (see above) and as I hadn't really planned on this and it happened at the spur of the moment, my thoughts were if there are any of you interested in sharing the information you already know about acne, and sites etc, just email me and I'll include it on the main page, with your email address etc of course (if you wish your email address or just your name etc) - so basically this will be a site built by acne sufferers for acne sufferers!!

If you wish to add personal stories etc, then please do feel free to type out something and I'll add a page solely for stories etc.

If anyone has any suggestions etc, please feel free as well to email me at the above address, ie just click on my name, ie SoulLightBeam@aol.com.

It's late, have to get to bed! I've probably forgotten to say lots, ... it'll have to wait till tomorrow! Time to use the Dermalux lamp now!!

Nite!
Reminder: No image tags and please remember to close your html codes - thanks.
Posting Guidelines: Flaming on this Board is not permitted, ie where you attack a person, using harsh, snide and untoward words
and any such posts will be instantly removed & if persistent, the poster banned from the site.
If you are unable to be civil and courteous with your fellow cure seekers, please do not post anything.
Thank you for visiting and sharing with us - here's to Freedom From Acne Forever!!! J


Disclaimer The information on this chat page is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of disease. The site owner is not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of this information, which is shared by everyday people who suffer from acne. We strongly recommend consulting an appropriate health care provider before attempting to self-treat for a specific condition. Since each person's individual constitution plays an important role in determining which herbs work and which ones don't, no claims are made as to the effectiveness of the products shared. It is up to the individual to become informed about the various healing methods available in order to choose what works best. We encourage you to be persistent in exploring all forms of health care.

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