I’m sure you are aware of how
you
feel about your skin. But have you ever wondered what
your
skin thought about you? If your skin could speak, would it have good things to say? Would it say it was being appreciated or would it say it’s been mistreated?
I have always struggled with my skin. Acne has plagued me since childhood and I recently had another flare up in december this past year. My typical routine is to deny I have a problem and apply lots of cover up. When that doesn’t work, I get into esthetician mode and start applying chemical peels, using my acne topical medication, and getting some facials for extractions. The treatments do help, but when they fail, like they did for me in december, I got very frustrated with my skin. You might even say angry!
One day, I woke up to find my forehead full of breakouts. I had to do something about it! So I got a pair of scissors out and cut bangs so no one could see my embarrassing flare-up.
I admit it was an impulsive thing to do, but it “fixed” the problem, although temporarily, and I was happy to show my face again. Everyone complimented my new haircut, but no one realized that it was because I was trying to hide behind it.
Having another flare up brought back a lot of feelings that I have had about my skin. Breaking out again was embarrassing, a blow to my self-esteem, and even depressing. I thought about this love-hate relationship that I have had with my skin, loathing it for breaking out and then loving it when it’s clear. I thought about how my skin may feel, being hating so much and spoken of so negatively and even what it might say if it could respond. Then I wondered if it was possible that I had anything to do with my recent break out. What if, in my stressful december, I forgot to take care of my skin, ignored it’s needs, and neglected it? And could my negative thoughts and attitude play a role in my skin’s behavior? I started feeling bad for my skin, I can be very hateful to it when it’s not doing what I want. After thinking about my behavior towards my skin, I decided that being hateful and angry can’t be good for it. It sure isn’t productive or motivating. To have a better realtionship with my skin, I need to accept it for what it is and deal with the issues.
Now,
I eventually came to my senses and realized that I needed to ask for help, and saw my dermatologist. My skin is slowly improving along with my attitude about it….so I guess you can say that me and my skin are “working things out.”
But what would your skin say about you?
Are you kind to it? Do you speak well of it often or do you complain about it?
Would it say you take good care of it? Sometimes, I think our attitudes about our skin and complexion can affect how it behaves. We all know that in life, our attitude affect our behavior. So why don’t we think our body or skin may respond the same way?
If you are unhappy with your skin, change your attitude, and it will guide you to positive action!
