update: cortisone, dead sea salt, Herbacort, Jane Iredale

January 2, 2001

Hi all,

I just wanted to post an update on my cortisone withdrawal and the

strategies I am finding that work for me. First and foremost, I got

dead sea salts (ordered from drugstore.com) and have been soaking my

face every night for the past 6 days. I put about 1/4 to ½ cup of

salts in a big mixing bowl full of tepid water and I soak my face for

about a half hour every night. I really find it helps reduce the bumps

and redness. It tingles when I first submerge my face, but that

subsides, and its actually a very comfortable feeling on my skin. I

even open my eyes, briefly, a couple of times, in the belief that the

minerals a re probably good for my ocular rosacea too. So far this has

not irritated my eyes at all; on the contrary, they are very clear

lately.

After the soak, I do not rinse off my face. I pat the drops off

gently, but let it mostly air dry. The I apply Herbacort cream to my

forehead (the part of my face that is " off " cortisone) and I apply the

dreaded cortisone to the parts of my face that are yet to be weaned.

If I have papules I also apply a bit of sulfacet.

I have been charting the flare ups in my face since I started weaning

off cortisone (Nov. 28th) and I have found a very regular cycling of

flare ups and " flare downs " , the upshot being that a flare up last

about 4 days and a flare-down lasts about the same length of time.

Well, with the dead sea salt and the Herbacort, I managed to extend

the last flare down from Christmas eve to New years eve (8 days!). So

I am hopeful it will prove to be helpful in reducing the severity and

length of flare ups and increasing the longevity of flare downs.

As well, last week I received a free trial sample of Jane Iredale's

pressed powder (in warm ivory). I am really impressed with the colour,

the look, and the feel of this stuff. I had purchased some all mineral

loose powder from Bella Donna cosmetics (really really expensive!) And

I find the Jane Iredale stuff to be much better for my skin. It looks

natural and not cakey, like the Bella Donna stuff. Could be though

that I am still learning how to apply the loose powder.

The Herbacort cream is working out really well for me. While I am

still cycling through flare ups, I do believe that the Herbacort is

helping, not hindering.

Happy New Year everyone!

(now, by the way, engaged to be married! He asked me New

Year's Eve!)

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