About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Confessions

If my title leads you to expect my standing here crying and saying I've sinned against you -- sorry to disappoint.  In truth, I am a face-product junkie.  Not make-up; -- cleansing products, moisturizers, peels, masks, Sephora, samples, Buf-Puff... I was a lifeguard during the '60s.  Our idea of skin care was to mix baby oil with iodine and smear it all over us!  I've spent the past 30 years trying to mitigate any and all harm done.

This past week, I used a gift certificate for micro-dermabrasion and a chemical peel given to me by middle daughter -- she is such a good daughter!!! (At 32, she's a product junkie, too).  The dermabrasion was interesting --  like a gentle sand-blasting, it is painless and removes layers of dead cells, leaving skin really soft.  The aesthetician, Wendy,  gave me a vial of a facial infusion/non-acid peel mix that I was to put on my face that night -- and warned me that my face would turn orange.  (Unfortunately, I was klutzy with the vial that exploded onto the wall and mirror.  I spent about a half hour scraping it off and trying to get it onto my face.  It stained the wall -- not a good sign, I thought).  Several days later, I could expect my face to peel.  She gave me instructions on what not to do (I couldn't wash my face with my face brush, or anything even mildly abrasive, and I had to wear strong sunscreen).  I applied the solution, put a protective pillow case on my pillow, and slept fitfully, dreaming of pumpkins and petrified excited about what I would find in the morning.

After my initial screams examination of my even more orange face, I washed the solution off with warm water and a cleanser -- several times.  My skin looked a little tan.  I spent the next two days watching, waiting for something to happen and then all of a sudden the peeling began.  I read that it could last for 1 - 8 days, but after three days, I think it's done.  My skin looks healthy; can't wait to do this again!

11 comments:

Purple Flowers said...

I've heard alot of good things about microderm abrasion. Unfortunately, I can't have any of those pleasantries done except a gently facial. I have abit of roscea on my cheeks, and have to be use extremly gently products. Bobbi Brown has been good for me.
But I LOVE a facial. I feel like a Queen.

Lena said...

You were brave. Glad that you ended up enjoying the experience.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I have heard from others that it is a wonderful experience. I tend to be very laissez-faire about my face. i wash it twice a day and put on moisturizer and forget it the rest of the time. Well, I do use sunblock when I garden because my doctor fussed at me.

Cheryl said...

Veeeeery interesting. I'm glad it worked out well. Did all the peeling happen at once? How bad was it? I'm interested.

Jay said...

I don't know what any of this stuff it. ;-)

Brad said...

1 to 8 DAYS ? thank goodness I wasn't drinking anything when I read that or I would have spewed it all over the keyboard. I had no idea it could take that long. My face peeled when I first started using Proactive (wasn't suppose to) and that had me hiding at home for 2 days - (vanity) - I can't imagine 8 days!

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

You are so brave. I never would have tried it after being told it would turn my face orange. Glad it worked so well for you.

Unknown said...

LOLOL You are too funny! I am happy that the facial infusion/non-acid peel mix worked for you as Wendy said it would. I am thinking of trying out something like this myself since you said you can't wait to do it again. My husband always wants to give me a gift certificate for a facial etc. etc. because he thinks I'll enjoy it. I was never too sure. But I love my products and I have also started to see some of the lasting effects of my sun worshipping years now that middle age is setting in. So maybe it's time I give it a try?!
I'm glad you sure your product love with your daughter - it means good gifts for both of you! LOL

Rick Rockhill said...

I'm always fascinated by the things women put themselves through. I suppose the expression "beauty suffers" is a true expression after all. Although I suppose it was a fun adventure along the way! Glad you are happy with the end result Kathy!

Jamie said...

That sounds awesome, I need to try it!

Happy Thursday friend...and I think you have wonderful daughters!

:)

jane said...

oh, this is so good to know...