It has been a while since I posted an update so I thought I better to keep me on track.

At the time of my last update (July?), I had stopped taking hot showers and using detergents with perfums and dyes. I was using AmLactin 2x daily on my arms, shoulders, neck, chest, and top of the feet. I was also using tea tree oil soap 1x daily with a loofah on the same areas.

The KP on my feet and neck disappeared. The KP on my chest and arms improved. The KP on my back improved even though I had not been putting anything on it.

Since that time, I have been using acouple of different products and getting different effects. I started using Body Clear Body Scrub by Neutrogena (2% SA) when I showered (I would step out of the water stream and let it set on the skin for acouple of minutes each time). It had no effect. The KP didn't get better or worse. I wasn't shocked as others have posted the same here but I thought for $5, I would try it.

I found this facial mask from St. Ives called Peel Off Hydroxy Masque ($2-3 a tube). It contains both salicylic acid and lactic acid. It is kinda cool---when it dries, you peel it off like some James Bond mask. I used it every night for several weeks. While I don't have the red bumps on my face that are everywhere else, I do have problems with redness and uneven tone. My face has really cleared up. I can go without foundation now. I tried it on other parts of my body but it didn't work as well. ;-(

I also have given up soft drinks (lost 5 lbs in the process) and started taking a multivitamin, 250mg x2 calcium citrate with vitamin D pills, and a super Omega-3 complex from Walmart (huge whopping cow pill but beats taking the fish and flaxseed oil by mouth).

I tried making my own sugar scrub. I think I mixed 1 cup of sugar with some honey and olive oil. It really helped my upper arms and shoulders. It broke my forearms out a little so next time I will try something else--I think the culprit was the olive oil. Maybe more honey. The other problem was it made the bottom of the shower really slippery. But my skin was so soft!

Anyway, in a little over 2 months I am taking a trip to Hawaii and would really love to wear a tank top and shorts.

Onward!
ARR