Thank you so much for sharing your experience because you have helped me A LOT. Here is a 52 year old lady with oily skin and sebaceous hyperplasia thinking about treatments. But darling, let me tell you that it has all been worth it when you reach my age WITHOUT WRINKLES.
Yes! I have wrinkles where my skin is dry (and super mobile, around the eyes) but not much elsewhere, that's the good side of it for sure!!! Thank you for reminding me 😅
Hi Garance! I had that when I was younger; the good news is that it will calm down as you age (I'm 58). Retinol and lactic acid have been my saviors -- no lasers or dermatologists necessary. I exfoliate every day (!!) and retinol every night. Beauty Pie keeps my budget in check since I go through a lot of product. Good luck; you are an epic beauty inside and out! Love you, darling; thank you for sharing with your beloved sisters. ❤️ Lisa
In my experience, skin issues are expression of something going on internally (hormonal, digestive, imbalance, overgrowth, for example). So, while surface treatments can yield great results they might not identify nor address the root cause(s). It’s an inside job that integrative, holistic, Traditional Chinese medicine or Auruvedic practitioners usually look for first. For long lasting results/resolving the issue I’d consider trying internal with external protocols.
Thanks for such an open and thorough note on this - it’s rare to get a truthful look into someone’s laser experience, to enable informed choices. With so many treatments out there this is so helpful.
thank you for sharing so candidly, dear garance. i have rosacea on my cheeks and jawline and hyperplasia mostly on my forehead, some on my chin and also a lot on my neck (where the skin is dry, so weird). what really makes a difference with my skin is to use a cleanser that has a mild enzymatic peel (mario badescu) on a daily basis. that already minimizes my pores nicely, no greasy, only moisturizing cremes (la roche-posay) and like 3 times a year a microderm abrasion called hydrofacial (in switzerland). it dries up the little donuts and after 2 weeks they peel of, but you never look bruised. i find this works best for the hyperplasia and i try not to pay too much attention to the rosacea as it reacts to stress 😬
Thank you for sharing your experience. What a courageous post. I too have struggled with this. I thought and still think you’re absolutely beautiful. It was actually a photo of you that came across my feed that initially led me to your Substack. It wasn’t your glowing skin (although in that photo it was lovely) it was your expression one of contemplation and wisdom that intrigued me. And then your writing captivated me. Physical appearance is important to our self esteem. Anyone who says otherwise is mistaken. But learning more of who a person is is what truly matters. Thank you for being so gracious and taking us along for the ride.
The one thing that got rid of my rosacea type 2 was doing a treatment I read about, out of sheer desperation, on reddit. It was referred to by someone as the holy grail and it was indeed. I struggled through most of my 40s with painful pimple-like cystic red bumps. It was mortifying and frustrating. The treatment was to use ivermectin, which is one of the ingredients in the commonly prescribed soolantra, but to mix it with your own moisturizer. The post instructed to do it every night for 6 weeks even if your skin cleared because this type of skin condition was caused by an over growth of skin mites (gross!). It completely cleared my skin and it never came back. It was the only thing that worked. At that point I had tried everything - internal, external, natural, prescription and nothing worked completely except this. I still have sensitive skin but never again the painful skin struggle of those 5-6 years.
So this might not jive with all the products galore out there but I do have some thoughts that might help. First: Severely change your diet for a while. You know the gist. No dairy, gluten, sugar, alchohol blah blah. No fried or roasted. Steam pure. Stop with all face products. Sorry including your own. Clean your face a mix of castor oil and a carrier. Like coconut or a thinner pure oil. Only put pure organic hexene free castor oil on you face mixed with again a carrier and frankenscene. Try also black seed oil. I grew up all my life with acne and skin issues. Of course it was hormonal.. along with diet and lifestyle. Just now at 65 i'm getting it together. I read all labels and if has more than a few pristine ingredients I don' touch it. This is just me. It's a journey of inner health and love. This too will pass with you. Castor oil! It saved me! keep it pure and simple like 100 yrs ago. With Love xo Madelyn
Thank you for sharing your journey with lasers. It's uncommon for people to share this intimate of information let alone photos, so thank you again. I too have sebaceous hyperplasia and have finally found skincare that works for my 60 year skin. I have Fraxel-Dual laser once a year from face to chest. The recovery is about a week for me and I get it done in the early winter months when I'm out of the sun. I use retinol and peels occasionally and invest in really good skin care products. My skin is now clear and smooth...actually looks better now than in my 40s. I can't wait for more Notes on your skincare journey and I'm so excited for more of your Paris adventures...love Paris!
I have the exact skin type as you, and same problems! Currently I'm using azelaic acid (which treats both oiliness and rosacea) and taking isotretinoin once a week. My skin looks better, but the best it ever looked was when I used isotretinoin everyday for 8 months. Unfortunately, we can't use it for too long, otherwise, I would be taking it forever :)
Hi! Unrelated question but....I am an old member and just signing into the new substack format. Is the old community section still here and available? Where can we meet people in our area and ask questions, etc?
I only have made láser for my moles on belly and back, I have many and could spread more so I did it. It hurt, but with pauses it was made. Helas they are appearing a little bit again so I suppose I have to do in the future one more time.
As someone who's had people literally ask, "What's wrong with your face?" when I was experiencing rosacea flares, I really admire you for speaking frankly about this. The game-changer for me was Soolantra cream. Even after one application. (Someone else mentioned this below, I think—ivermectin is the key ingredient.) The reasoning for it's efficacy is slightly gross, so google if you dare, haha. The other key thing for me: Stress. I try to visualize my skin calming down, smoothing out, the redness going away ... didn't you mention Ellen Langer's "counterclockwise" study recently? It's kind of that idea—the mind-body connection. PS—I recently bought Le Baume and it's great. I also love the size and packaging; it somehow manages to feel chic.
Thank you G for sharing! And always giving us info, insights and encouragement to accept and tackle our own imperfections (skin, body, looooove, life!!!!). I have different issues: melasma and psoriasis, and knowing I am not alone amongst a sea of “social media perfect skin” is comforting. Sending love ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your experience because you have helped me A LOT. Here is a 52 year old lady with oily skin and sebaceous hyperplasia thinking about treatments. But darling, let me tell you that it has all been worth it when you reach my age WITHOUT WRINKLES.
Yes! I have wrinkles where my skin is dry (and super mobile, around the eyes) but not much elsewhere, that's the good side of it for sure!!! Thank you for reminding me 😅
Hi Garance! I had that when I was younger; the good news is that it will calm down as you age (I'm 58). Retinol and lactic acid have been my saviors -- no lasers or dermatologists necessary. I exfoliate every day (!!) and retinol every night. Beauty Pie keeps my budget in check since I go through a lot of product. Good luck; you are an epic beauty inside and out! Love you, darling; thank you for sharing with your beloved sisters. ❤️ Lisa
I second this! Retinol/retinal and exfoliation really help keep mine under control as well.
In my experience, skin issues are expression of something going on internally (hormonal, digestive, imbalance, overgrowth, for example). So, while surface treatments can yield great results they might not identify nor address the root cause(s). It’s an inside job that integrative, holistic, Traditional Chinese medicine or Auruvedic practitioners usually look for first. For long lasting results/resolving the issue I’d consider trying internal with external protocols.
Thanks for such an open and thorough note on this - it’s rare to get a truthful look into someone’s laser experience, to enable informed choices. With so many treatments out there this is so helpful.
You're welcome!!! We can't just show the good sides, the struggles are important too 🤍
thank you for sharing so candidly, dear garance. i have rosacea on my cheeks and jawline and hyperplasia mostly on my forehead, some on my chin and also a lot on my neck (where the skin is dry, so weird). what really makes a difference with my skin is to use a cleanser that has a mild enzymatic peel (mario badescu) on a daily basis. that already minimizes my pores nicely, no greasy, only moisturizing cremes (la roche-posay) and like 3 times a year a microderm abrasion called hydrofacial (in switzerland). it dries up the little donuts and after 2 weeks they peel of, but you never look bruised. i find this works best for the hyperplasia and i try not to pay too much attention to the rosacea as it reacts to stress 😬
Thank you for sharing your experience. What a courageous post. I too have struggled with this. I thought and still think you’re absolutely beautiful. It was actually a photo of you that came across my feed that initially led me to your Substack. It wasn’t your glowing skin (although in that photo it was lovely) it was your expression one of contemplation and wisdom that intrigued me. And then your writing captivated me. Physical appearance is important to our self esteem. Anyone who says otherwise is mistaken. But learning more of who a person is is what truly matters. Thank you for being so gracious and taking us along for the ride.
That means so much Alexis thank you! I agree 100% with everything you're saying ❤️
The one thing that got rid of my rosacea type 2 was doing a treatment I read about, out of sheer desperation, on reddit. It was referred to by someone as the holy grail and it was indeed. I struggled through most of my 40s with painful pimple-like cystic red bumps. It was mortifying and frustrating. The treatment was to use ivermectin, which is one of the ingredients in the commonly prescribed soolantra, but to mix it with your own moisturizer. The post instructed to do it every night for 6 weeks even if your skin cleared because this type of skin condition was caused by an over growth of skin mites (gross!). It completely cleared my skin and it never came back. It was the only thing that worked. At that point I had tried everything - internal, external, natural, prescription and nothing worked completely except this. I still have sensitive skin but never again the painful skin struggle of those 5-6 years.
So this might not jive with all the products galore out there but I do have some thoughts that might help. First: Severely change your diet for a while. You know the gist. No dairy, gluten, sugar, alchohol blah blah. No fried or roasted. Steam pure. Stop with all face products. Sorry including your own. Clean your face a mix of castor oil and a carrier. Like coconut or a thinner pure oil. Only put pure organic hexene free castor oil on you face mixed with again a carrier and frankenscene. Try also black seed oil. I grew up all my life with acne and skin issues. Of course it was hormonal.. along with diet and lifestyle. Just now at 65 i'm getting it together. I read all labels and if has more than a few pristine ingredients I don' touch it. This is just me. It's a journey of inner health and love. This too will pass with you. Castor oil! It saved me! keep it pure and simple like 100 yrs ago. With Love xo Madelyn
You can use your micellar water and cleanser first, then the La Roche Posay. Im not in favor of all these lasers and machines they can hurt the skin
Thank you for sharing your journey with lasers. It's uncommon for people to share this intimate of information let alone photos, so thank you again. I too have sebaceous hyperplasia and have finally found skincare that works for my 60 year skin. I have Fraxel-Dual laser once a year from face to chest. The recovery is about a week for me and I get it done in the early winter months when I'm out of the sun. I use retinol and peels occasionally and invest in really good skin care products. My skin is now clear and smooth...actually looks better now than in my 40s. I can't wait for more Notes on your skincare journey and I'm so excited for more of your Paris adventures...love Paris!
I have the exact skin type as you, and same problems! Currently I'm using azelaic acid (which treats both oiliness and rosacea) and taking isotretinoin once a week. My skin looks better, but the best it ever looked was when I used isotretinoin everyday for 8 months. Unfortunately, we can't use it for too long, otherwise, I would be taking it forever :)
Thanks for sharing so openly ! Could you please share your journey with rosacea ? Have you done laser ? Thank you very much !
Hi Mara! I will very soon, I haven't done laser yet, but probably will. Looking for the best options!
Hi! Unrelated question but....I am an old member and just signing into the new substack format. Is the old community section still here and available? Where can we meet people in our area and ask questions, etc?
Thanks for your help!!
XXBryn
I only have made láser for my moles on belly and back, I have many and could spread more so I did it. It hurt, but with pauses it was made. Helas they are appearing a little bit again so I suppose I have to do in the future one more time.
As someone who's had people literally ask, "What's wrong with your face?" when I was experiencing rosacea flares, I really admire you for speaking frankly about this. The game-changer for me was Soolantra cream. Even after one application. (Someone else mentioned this below, I think—ivermectin is the key ingredient.) The reasoning for it's efficacy is slightly gross, so google if you dare, haha. The other key thing for me: Stress. I try to visualize my skin calming down, smoothing out, the redness going away ... didn't you mention Ellen Langer's "counterclockwise" study recently? It's kind of that idea—the mind-body connection. PS—I recently bought Le Baume and it's great. I also love the size and packaging; it somehow manages to feel chic.
Thank you G for sharing! And always giving us info, insights and encouragement to accept and tackle our own imperfections (skin, body, looooove, life!!!!). I have different issues: melasma and psoriasis, and knowing I am not alone amongst a sea of “social media perfect skin” is comforting. Sending love ❤️