kp and self-esteem

[Archive]

Originally posted by Denise

How do you maintain a positive body image with this disorder?
Especially when everything is so oriented on perfection, these days?
I won't glance at magazines anymore and will avert my eyes from certain commercials
when I watch TV. I cannot believe that with the deluge of cosmetic alternatives available
out there from Botox to face lifts to liposuccion and the likes, nobody has found (or bothered to
look for)anything for effective management of this thing! We're talking high tech procedures here
while they can't figure out how to relieve us of our little bumps! Saw this show on plastic surgery the
other day. They had 20 year olds going to their derm every two weeks for Botox injections for furrows
that don't even exist yet, as a "preventive measure"! I think I'm getting bitter...

[Archive]

Originally posted by kim r

relax denise. it sounds like today is 'fed up day' on the board. totally understandable. for the bumps on your arms, have you tried differin? i used it for a while and it worked great on the bumps (sorry not on the redness/scars)- overnight you can tell the difference. i stopped using it b/c it is summertime and it is not good to be out in the sun alot (which i am) or you can burn. i am still swearing by a body scrub and aloe wrap at a day spa. the body scrub will get rid of the bumps and the aloe will calm everything down (they massage 3 different kinds of aloe into your skin and then wrap you in warm linens for a bit- soo relaxing you will fall asleep). the next day your skin will be much happier- but only do this if you don't have any 'raw' skin.
you all may not believe me, but for a cheap/quick fix for bumps (only) on your arms and face, try Biore facial wipes. Go for the $3 travel pack at Rite Aid or Target to see if it works. Rub it on your arms until the cloth is dry. do it for a couple of nights and see what happens. I wear tank tops almost every day. I know some things work for some and not for others but this is a $3 drug store shot.

[Archive]

Originally posted by rasseleNY

kp is truly wack beyond belief. i can remember when i was really young (like 7/8) it was not a problem. b/w 12-20 it got worse...now at 22, either its starting to fade or ive just accepted it. one thing i did was get in really good shape. call me crazy but having a nice frame and good muscle shape seems to ameliorate the aesthetic effects of kp. i also have tan skin; unlike people with very fair skin, the kp 'bumps' are like freckle-lookin on me. it is kinda silly that theres no 'cure' out there for this. i definately feel ur pain though; when i was like 15 i tried to use a piece of sandpaper to rub the kp on my arm away (need i say it did not help). i have a couple of theories re: kp though. first of all, if someone can isolate and market the enzyme (keratase) and produce a topical delivery system (cream? lotion?), that should be able to help bigtime. another theory is sunlight. this summer i made a point of walking around w/o my shirt on in the sun a lot. while most KPers are unlikely to want to do this, i think it helped quite a bit. i know it's really hard to overcome the psychological mindset associated with kp- good luck and keep the faith

[Archive]

Originally posted by Cajun Girl

First of all, you would be suprised at how many of those models' pictures are airbrushed. Secondly, you need to think of the positive, how lucky you are to be alive and healthy. When I start to feel self-pity, I think of a dear school friend that was severely burned in an automobile accident at the age of 8. He suffered 3rd degree burns on his entire body. He survived but, his skin is severely disfigured. But, he did not allow himself pity and no-one thought of him as the little boy that was burned but as the sweet and considerate person that survived a horrible accident.
KP does not have to rule our life and does not automatically classify us or put us in a seperate group as people that do not have this condition. Unless we allow it to.
One of my best friends was married this past weekend; herself, her cousin and sister (all in the wedding party) have kp on their arms, shoulders and back as well as myself. We all wore strapless dresses and not one person commented on our KP. Not that it wasn't slightly noticable but, because we all had the confidence to expose our "flaws" because this is who we are. Everyone has flaws, even models and movie stars.
I am still young, and I refuse to allow kp to make me feel as if I have to wear long-sleeve shirts and jeans for the rest of my life (or until a "cure" is found). I will not be embarrased by kp and will not allow anyone to embarass me for having this condition.
I am sorry to seem so opinionated but, I am sick of kp dictating my life. (and wardrobe) I hope you find a treatment/regimine that will work for you. Best of luck.