This particular post is long overdue. Every time I had my thoughts together, I would need to shift directions and start over. The reason for this constant redirection was my fickle skin this winter season along with a stubborn set of scars on my cheek. One of these scars was a result of hitting my face on our iron stove that we used for heating the family room (don't ask). The second was right next to the first scar and a result of a zit that I just *couldn't* leave be (don't ask). The two scars seemed to merge creating a dent on the part of the cheek that the light skims across that made the scar look even deeper as a result of the shadow. I still remember my son saying from across the room, "Mom, what's wrong with your face?" Sadness. It got to the point where I started to forget I ever had a zit there or ever injured my face and went crazy searching the Internet sure that it must be something terrible happening to my skin. Along with this scar issue, I was having a terrible time with flaky skin on my face and neck. Nothing worked anymore. Not my precious coconut oil, not my cocoa butter, nothing. Initially, the coconut oil would work but, by the afternoon my skin would feel so tight that just turning my neck left or right would tingle and itch. It was as if anything I tried sat on top and never penetrated the skin at all. Every day I would try my Clarisonic brush (pictured above) to see if that would remove the dry skin. After a while, I realized that the Clarisonic was making things worse. *I am not disparaging Clarisonic. It is a great device. I have used my Clarisonic with great success at other times but, my current condition was aggravated by the use of this brush.
When I was just about ready to give up, I remembered a tube of Strivectin that I had purchased earlier in the summer to try on my scars. The Strivectin did improve the look of my scars. No longer was my son asking about the dent in my face. I knew it was still there but, definitely smoother and less obvious. My progress seemed to stall however, and it seemed the Strivectin had done all it could to help my situation. Now, I returned to my precious 100% organic coconut oil. I would apply the coconut oil and massage it into the scar. Then, I would cut a piece of cloth medical tape into the "eye shape" shown in photo below. I would pull the scar area flat and hold it that way while placing the tape onto the area while applying pressure for a bit. This was done every night before bed and sometimes I left it on the following day. This helped to flatten the scars a bit more. Even my husband noticed the improvement. Then progress came to a halt along with the arrival of a strange rash around my eyes. I still have NO idea of what caused the rash around both eyes. The rash would worsen with tears and burn if I applied any sort of cream to the area. I decided then to stop everything on my face. Now, what was I going to do. My skin still dry, flaky, and tight? This long story has now circled back around to my original reason for writing. The tube of Strivectin! I dug the Strivectin back out and starting using it on the scars AND the rest of my face, along with my neck. I started to see additional improvement in the scar, curious! I still tape the scars at night. Along with continued improvement in the scars, the flaky, dry, itchy skin was going away AND the rash around my eyes. I use the Strivectin morning and night. but I keep some downstairs to dab on the scar in the middle of the day for a 3rd treatment to that area. Within 2 weeks my dry skin issue has disappeared. Some folks claim sensitivity to the Strivectin. So far, I have not had a problem with it and I do not buy the one made for the face either. I buy the tube that says for stretchmarks but it also lists help for wrinkles on the tube. There is a minty type feel to it which may account for some folks reactions but, I find that tingle refreshing. Right after I apply it my skin pinks up but then the pink subsides. All I can say is that I am so much more comfortable in my own skin again. I spoke to my daughter about this plateau type stalling in results. She also uses the Strivectin on some scarring and she found the same thing. If she takes a break from it now and again she will see additional results with reference to scarring. Thankfully, the dry skin issue seems to be taken care of by just using the Strivectin daily morning and night. I use no other moisturizer on my face except for some 100% cocoa butter stick on my neck after the Strivectin settles in. I apply a bit of Chapstick (of all things) to the outer corners of my eyes to protect the skin from my tears (the tears seem to encourage the return of my eye rash).
Originally, I wanted to blog about my use of the medical tape to help flatten my scars and then realized I must sing the praise of the Strivectin. I feel SO much better in my skin that I have not even been wearing foundation! Those of you that follow my posts will know that I prefer a "less is more" approach when it comes to makeup. It pleases me so much and shortens my routine to skip steps in the morning. I have also found that if I am going out and I reapply the Strivectin (instead of freshening up makeup) I look rested and refreshed! I will update my post if anything changes. Strivecton has earned my vote of confidence. I hope they continue to make it exactly this same way and that I continue to have good results from it. Usually, I do not like putting things on my skin that are not 100% natural but, in this case I make an exception. I do hope they do not find out it is bad for us!
On my next medical checkup I will also have the doctor check out my scars just to be sure they are not something other than what I am treating. I did have a Physician's Assistant check them out though and she seemed to feel they were just scars. I only mention this to say - we should not self diagnose.
The photo shows an example of my cloth tape method. I cut it into the shape of an eye and make it large enough to cover both scars. The 2 scars are side by side. The skin is pulled tight so that the scar is flattened and then I apply the tape and hold pressure for a few seconds or more. Each morning I cut a piece of tape for that evening's use. This way there is never a time where I am too tired to bother with treating my scars at night.
If anyone tries this and has any additional information please contact me. I would love to hear your ideas! I would also like to caution you from purchasing Strivectin from a place other than an authorized dealer. My daughter ended up with a fake once. It seems everything is being faked these days so, be careful out there!
Strivectin information directly from
Strivectin's Website.
StriVectin-SD™ 2 oz.
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Week 2
Natural collagen resurging; texture and resilience improving
Week 4
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Though this says "Daily", too much of a good thing is TOO MUCH of a good thing. It will make my hair feel harder and brittle in some way. If I use it only once a week or so, it adds what does in fact feel like "strength" and shine. Most days, after using the bit of Mane 'n Tail (Original) Conditioner as a hair dressing. I will spray the Mane 'n Tail "Shine On" into my hands (I do not spray directly onto my hair) I flip my hair over and scrunch it into my hair from the ends up but avoiding roots. I also gently smooth onto areas that need a bit more shine - the gray around my face or tops of curls to catch the light. (Applied with my fingers not sprayed directly onto head) I will then style my hair either by letting the wave dry as it is or by clipping up sections of hair. This is beginning to look like an ad for Mane 'n Tail. I am not affiliated with the company, but I am proud to speak about both the effectiveness of their products along with the affordability! Mane 'n Tail has been around as long as I can remember. They are a company that you can count on. So far, I have not had to worry about my favorite product being discontinued. I hope my favorite products will be around as long as I need them! I love the faint cherry smell of the Strengthener and the Shine. If you do not care for the scent, be assured it fades out quickly and won't interfere with your perfume. The Conditioner and Shampoo (Original) has a very faint scent and both are pleasant. This process has taken me from losing tons of hair in the shower to very few strands coming out. I can easily count the number of strands now versus having enough over the course of a week to make a wig! Thank you for asking and for reading my posts. It is my hope that in some way my words will help someone. Please write with any questions.
