Skincare Experts?

Sep 8, 2011

Amalee W.

Hi everyone -

So I've recently been a victim of what I think is a cold sore... I've had at least one every year or year and a half. usually near or close to the same spot prior before. Does anyone have any remedies for faster healing or to soothe the upcoming pain? Recently, I've been eating a lot of Godiva.... and the weather has been changing :\

And I usually get these red bumps all around my face... the cause for that I'm not sure of either. But those are pretty frequent too.

Thank you!

Sep 8, 2011

Kimberly M.

Hey Amalee!

I checked with my aesthetician on this one. She says that it sort of depends on the type of chocolate you've been eating - if it's straight up dark chocolate, then that's not the culprit. If it's a milky chocolate, or one that's mixed with a lot of flavors, nuts, fruits, etc - that could be a cause for the reaction.

Best advice: keep your skincare routine as simple and as natural as possible. Lay off of acidic and salty foods & drinks. Try a chamomile teabag compress on the affected area. (Brew the tea, remove the teabag, let it cool and apply...then drink the tea - it does miraculous things for the skin!). Apply a light waterbased moisturizer, and an SPF and try not to touch it! Keeping your hands scrupulously clean also helps (but avoid using hand sanitizers...they contain alcohol and triclosan - both are skin irritants).

But remember that some people are just predisposed to cold sores - whether it's genetics or age or even environment. The best offense is a good defense. Keep your diet in check, especially with the acidic stuff, and you should be fine.

Good luck, gorgeous!

Sep 8, 2011

Yasmin K.

Cold sores are Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and unfortunately there is no cure for it. Once you have Herpes you have it for life. It is contagious so when you have one on your face you need to reduce the risk of passing it on by not sharing drinks, makeup, etc. Also, don't touch it then go touch other things since you can spread it (wash your hands well).

I agree and disagree with Kim's aesthetician. I agree that a reaction to chocolate maybe happening but disagree in that you can rule dark chocolate out.

Dark chocolate is made adding fat and sugar to cacao solids, it typically has no milk in it though some might. It's possible if you're having an allergic reaction you're having it to how much cacao (cocoa) solid or fat there is in it. Milk chocolate obviously has milk in it and white chocolate contains no cacao solid in it at all (which is why it's not really chocolate).

I agree with Kim to lay off certain foods - including that chocolate. I would also recommend seeing a doctor to rule out if you do have cold sores or not. 

Sep 8, 2011

Kimberly M.

Yasmin, at the risk of sounding like a complete bitch, there's really no reason to be throwing the H word around. It's scary and not necessarily always the case.  Jeeze.

Sep 8, 2011

Jane A.

Amalee, have you gone to see a dermatologist? If you've been getting them for a while, maybe it's time to see one. Hopefully they can prescribe something that can "heal" it.

I've heard of girls having skin problems plague them for a while. In the end, they realized "diary" (Milk, etc.) made their body go hay-wire.

What really works for some, may not work on others. So if you haven't done so already, I suggest going to see a dermatologist, because we might give you suggestions that will cause a bad reaction to your skin.

Good luck!

Sep 9, 2011

Amalee W.

I don't get them that often! I think the last time I got one was two years ago? On the top of my head, I've maybe gotten 3 or 4? But, maybe I should see someone anyway?

Thanks for all your input so far! Any suggestions on good prevention?

Sep 9, 2011

Kimberly M.

Just a thought, but do they typically happen around the time of your cycle? Also, are you keeping your makeup brushes clean?

Use a really gentle cleanser (Soma swears by CeraVe) and try not to touch it.

Sep 9, 2011

Yasmin K.

No reason? It's absolutely vital that she knows for certain in order to protect herself from spreading it (and not just to other people but to other parts of her face including her eyes). Cold sores are herpes, I don't think she has cold sores by the look of her picture which is why I recommended she see a doctor to rule it out.

Sep 10, 2011

Amalee W.

Since this is the first time getting it in a year or two, I'm not sure, but I am due for my monthly present the next couple days. I deep cleanse them almost everyday, depending on how much makeup I wear.

And if anyone's interested, it's super crusty. I've been putting ointment on it to dry it out..

Sep 10, 2011

Yasmin K.

I really don't think it's a cold sore but rather an allergic reaction. I really do recommend seeing a doctor, if possible, and if not don't use any more products on it and instead simply wash with warm water and apply hydrogen peroxide (3% antiseptic) for a few day after you wash it. It's vital you don't touch it or apply anything else. 

Sep 10, 2011

Kimberly M.

Disagree with Yasmin. Hydrogen peroxide will only dry the surrounding area out, make it crustier and slower to heal.

@Yasmin- if you're not a doctor, why even throw the H word out there?? If someone has a freckle, do you automatically call it sarcoma? Just saying.

Sep 11, 2011

Deidrene C.

whoa ppl in defense to yasmin k, i think she was trying to help. it was rude calling her a bitch. oral herpes aka cold sores aka fever blisters are very contagious and they will spread to other parts of your body. they will also pop up in areas where thery were before and close to the same surrounding area. and being a sufferer of cold sores myself, chocolate can be a trigger and also the time of your period. been there too! i read up about L-Lysine and its suppose to help with keeping the virus in check. i take 1000 mg a day. like suggested by yasmin k and the others go to the doctor first and then read about l-lysine. im not a doctor but i am a certified nursing assistant taking pre-reqs for nursing and my mother is a lpn. im not telling you that taking l-lysine will help you. everyone is different. im just sharing from my own personal experiences.plus like i said i have cold sore outbreaks from time to time. here is a link that i think will help. good luck! altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm and hydrogen peroxide is one of the more popular 'home remedies". google it for yourself and you will see! 

Sep 12, 2011

Amalee W.

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll look into it!

Dec 19, 2011

Jena O.

I always suggest going to the doctor if you have a flare up like this and take l-lysine religiously.

Jun 30, 2013

Carabelle R.

Leave me a comment on what is your skincare regime! I think I could help your jawline acne!(: