Although Grant was a spunky dresser well versed in the world of financial products, unsightly razor rash, acne blemishes and the perpetual sloughing of dead skin cells dulled this bank manager's credibility. As I watched his chapped lips rave on about service fees and interest rates, I had an overwhelming urge to scratch myself raw as a contact itch washed over me. Without warning, the buffer separating my mind and mouth neutralized and I heard my outer voice blurt out "why is your skin so pissed off?"
Combining a pinch of cynicism with a cup of condescension, Grant retorted with a half baked explanation about his condition being a side effect of the acne medication he'd been taking for 10 years. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the travesty of this rationalization, I realized I would have to tread holly-go-lightly to keep him off the defensive and prevent his mood from matching his skin tone.
Grant had been battling symptoms of acne since he was 13 years old and started on his first round of oral and topical antibiotic medications at 16 years. Although he agreed his skin looked and felt like a 2 day old cheese sandwich, he preferred it to the once bubbling cheese pizza face of yesteryear. When I suggested that it needn't be either, I glimpsed a glimmer of hope in his jaded "heard it all before" eyes.
The most common course of action sufferers of acne are steered toward taking is to dry up embarrassing pustules at all costs without ever getting to the root of the problem. Not only does this compromise the immunity of the body's largest detoxifying organ, a permanent solution will never be in sight. Because "big business" has set the precedence for industry standards, most skin schools, media advertisements and product descriptions all target solutions for various skin types' I.E. Dry, oily, combination, etc when in actuality, there are only two skin types - balanced skin and unbalanced skin. The only way to achieve balance is to address 3 important steps: Remove pollution, increase circulation and balance nutrition. Knowing is the easy part. Sifting through the contradictions and learning to take responsibility requires patience, rational thought and determination.
I prepared Grant as best I could for the long road ahead. Patience and consistency would prove to be his most valuable ally during the healing phase. Like any detoxification system, things appear to get much worse before they are able to get better. There were times when he was close to throwing in the towel but summoned the strength to stick with it as he learned to look beyond the hot spots and appreciate the tone and texture of skin that was regaining health and vitality. Due to the severity of Grant's condition and the amount of pollution his skin had encountered over the years, it took him about 12 months to come out the other end. While he still encounters the odd hot spot, he now has the tools to respond accordingly.
For more information on how Grant learned how to manage symptoms of acne, please visit www.shavinggallery.com/shavedoctor www.shavinggallery.com/shavedoctor or call 770 975 9998
Lauren Cross is known as the Shave Doctor in her Shaving Gallery brick and mortar store along with www.ShavingGallery.com www.ShavingGallery.com where she helps men and their families learn how to use shaving as a skin care solution rather than a means to an end.
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