Tortured by my Dermatologist (over a little sebaceous hyperplasia)

I know this sounds more like a LifeTime movie than a blog post (and maybe it should be), but it's a true story. It happened to me just yesterday and it's still real fresh, as in the wounds are literally still healing and gooey with Aquaphor ointment.

Let me start out by asking a few simple questions. and no this is not a riddle.

A dentist wouldn't pull a tooth without novocaine, 

and an ER doc wouldn't stitch someone up without a shot of lidocaine, 

so why in the heck would a Dermatologist torture me by stabbing a hot electric needle into my face time after time, without anything to numb the pain?! That is a great question. 

*Amazon links are included in this post - Disclosure: as an Amazon associate I receive a small commission on products purchased through our links.

My Torturous Sebaceous Hyperplasia Removal

The more I think about my horrific experience at the Dermatologist yesterday (lets be honest, the torture continues in my brain as I revisit the horrifying experience multiple times a day), the more angry I get.

There are so many ways it could have been done so much better, and to think it was all just over a little removal of sebaceous hyperplasia (bumps on my face caused by plugged, dysfunctional pores).

If you have bumps on your face with a little indentation in the middle, you too might have sebaceous hyperplasia that is generally worse on those with oily skin and gets worse with age (add it to the list). 

Their appearance can sometimes be minimized with skincare products (see my favorite products below) but to make them "go away" you have to have a dermatologist remove them. If you decide to go that route like I did, just make sure you listen to this podcast so your experience is nothing like mine was.

→ Listen Here for all the grizzly details of how I was indeed tortured by my dermatologist

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Sebaceous Hyperplasia Helpful Products 

*Amazon links included - Disclosure: as an Amazon associate I receive a small commission on products purchased through our links.

Paula's Choice BHA9 Serum (*Amazon)

I apply this serum every other night just to my nose and sometimes to my forehead where I get sebaceous hyperplasia. Because I have sensitive skin I have to be careful I don't get it on other parts of my face (like my cheeks) but it works great to help the bumps on my face appear a bit smaller and more smooth.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment (*Amazon)

This is what I've been applying to my post-treatment sebaceous hyperplasia areas to help healing. The ointment seals the areas well and keeps them protected for better healing. 

 

Fairface Washcloths (not on Amazon)

These are the best and only washcloths I use on my face. The soft flannel is perfect for gentle post-treatment cleansing (when scabs are sturdy - use gently) and great for gentle exfoliation of existing sebaceous hyperplasia areas.

Clear Skin Tip: from Fairface Washcloths™ for sensitive skin

{photo courtesy of marin, freedigitalphotos.net}

I love sharing Clear Skin Tips from Fairface Washcloths™ because let's face it, who doesn't want clear skin??

Clean Pillow Case = Clearer Skin

Did you know something as simple as changing your pillow case more often can actually prevent break-outs and help maintain clearer skin?

Think of all the things that are on your pillow case throughout the night. Every night. Lotion residue or other skin care products, breath, saliva, skin oils, hair oils, sloughed off skin, hair dander, pet dander (if you let pets sleep with you. I cringe), dust mites and other allergens. Need I go on?

If you re-use the same pillow case over and over again, it stands to reason that some, if not all of these irritants, will effect your skin in one way or another by irritating your face and clogging your pores.

Flip your Pillow Case for Clearer Skin

If you don't have 7 pillow cases on hand for a fresh one every night of the week, this simple trick helps minimize the number of pillow cases used while maintaining cleaner skin.

Clear Skin Pillow Case Schedule

Night 1: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 2: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
Night 3: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 4: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
Night 5: Use a fresh, clean pillow case
Night 6: Flip pillow over to use the clean pillow case side
*Launder and re-start the schedule

This is the pillow case schedule I now live by! I tried it a few years ago and quickly noticed how much fewer break-outs I had and how much better my skin looked. Even while *traveling, I bring a few extra pillow cases so I never have to worry about keeping my skin clear.
(*laundry services at hotels use bleach and other harsh chemicals to wash bed linens. I always bring my own pillow and pillow cases to keep my sensitive skin safe from redness and irritation brought on by these harsh detergents)

A few last quick tips

• I'll share a tutorial with you on how to make your own quick pillow cases out of an existing sheet if you need to make your own instead of invest in a few. 
• For sensitive skin, like mine, it's not only important to use soft fabric pillow cases, it also helps to wash them in hypoallergenic detergent and dry them without any fabric softeners or opt to use hypoallergenic fabric softeners to prevent skin irritation.
• Don't forget to change and launder your sheets regularly too, to prevent those same bedroom allergens and irritants in your sheets from affecting your clear skin!

Wishing you many days ahead of happy, clear skin!

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This Clear Skin Tip brought to you by: Fairface Washcloths

the best soft washcloths for sensitive skin

Available at FairfaceWashcloths.com