TresSugar

Too Close For Comfort?

DearSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:03:06 -0700

I know many couples that do it, but I can say with certainty that you'll never catch me popping anyone's pimples but my own! Call me squirmish if you will, but I happen to think some things should be maintained and taken care of solo, in the privacy of your own bathroom, and popping your zits is one of them. Clearly Rihanna and Chris Brown disagree, so tell me, are you and your significant other pimple poppers or do you prefer to take care of such personal matters alone?

Bauer-Griffin Online

Painful Pimples

DearSugar — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 14:21:21 -0700

Dear Sugar
I'm 31 years old and for the past 6 months, I've been experiencing cyst-like, painful breakouts on my face. I've tried creams, over the counter medications and facials, but nothing is helping. I've spent an exorbitant amount of money on products so I finally decided it was time to see a doctor. My primary health care physician put me on 2 weeks worth of Tetracylene - an oral antibiotic that doesn't seem to be helping and is making my stomach hurt. I'd like to try something else, what do you think? Ashamed Of My Skin Meryl

Dear Ashamed Of My Skin Meryl
I've consulted a dermatologist and a facialist who both agree that you should probably switch to either Doxycycline or Minocycline. These antibiotics are a bit better for acne cysts and they are easier to take (don't need to take them on an empty stomach). It can take up to 2 months to really see an improvement on antibiotics, so you'll definitely need more than a 2 week supply - seeing a specialist (dermatologist) would have been more helpful than a generalist. In combination with the pills, you should probably be on a topical medicine too such as; Retin-A or Tazorac. You'll need a prescription for these meds, so I would consult a different dermatologist or bring these suggestions to your current doctor. Also, refrain from facials for a little while. There is a chance they could be aggravating your skin instead of helping.

The How-To Lounge: Getting Rid of Unexpected Zits

DearSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0700

It's Friday, and you have a whopping zit that you need to get rid of ASAP before your hot date on Saturday night. I am here to offer some quick and easy fixes to get your skin pimple free!

Click here to read more

Toothpaste (not gel) is a great home remedy that will dry out your zit and speed up the healing process, so before you go to bed, douse your pimple with toothpaste and hope for the best come morning!
Use a chilled Chamomile tea bag as a compress on your pimple to reduce swelling and redness.
Dab Benzoyl peroxide on your problem area to get rid of the bacteria living inside your pimple.
A mixture of crushed up aspirin and water has been known to de-clog pores and heal pimples faster.
You might think that dirty skin causes zits, but that is incorrect so don't abrasively scrub your face clean, instead wash with a gentle soap or cleanser.
Even though you have a date you've been looking forward to all week, don't over compensate with make up to cover up your pimple, it will only look worse. Even if you want to touch your face, avoid primping and fussing with it at the dinner table.

The most important thing to remember is to exude confidence even if your skin is flawed and have fun!

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Where Do You Stand? Sex on Your Period

DearSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

While it's true that our periods can be a total drag - mood swings, pimples, and cramps - I've heard women say they get extra horny during their time of the month - perhaps it's all those hormones pumping through their veins! Sure, it can be messy, and many men get grossed out by the idea of getting it on when Aunt Flo's in town, but tell me, where do you stand on having sex when you're on your period?

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Five Rules For Meeting His Parents

DearSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

The holidays are fast approaching, so if you're meeting your boyfriend's parents for the first time, you might want to check out the five helpful tips that Glamour magazine is sharing with us in their November issue. As we all know, meeting the parents is a huge rite of passage, one that is never taken lightly, so check out my take on their five suggestions below and a few of my own, too.

Be present. If you're overly consumed with a pimple on your face or worrying that you're not saying the right thing, you could in turn come off aloof. Make sure his parents know you're interested in the conversation and in the moment.
Don't overspend to impress. Sending a thank you note, flowers, or bringing a small gift as a thank you for hosting you is always a nice gesture, but don't go overboard - you don't want to seem like you're trying too hard.
Volley the hard questions to him. If his parents put you on the spot to the point of uncomfortableness, turn to your boyfriend and cue him to take over. He'll know how to pull back the reins.

To see two more of Glamour's tips and to check out my additions, just read more.

Drink in moderation (the night before, too!). Being hung over isn't cute, so make sure you're bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when meeting his parents for the first time. No one likes a drunk and chances are his parents will notice how much you drink, so know your limits and act like a lady.
Treat them like friends, not fogies. You don't want to age his parents by sparking up dull conversation about the weather. They are people in addition to being your boyfriend's parents so engage them like you'd want to be engaged!

In addition, here's what I suggest!

Have your boyfriend debrief you pre-visit. If you go in knowing what they are interested in, you'll be able to have an edge by knowing exactly what to say!
Be yourself. There's a reason your boyfriend wants to show you off to his parents so relax, take a deep breath, and let them get to know you.
Don't be too affectionate with your boyfriend. A little PDA goes a long way, especially in front of adults. Even if you're usually a very touchy-feely couple, tone it down a notch; you don't want to make them feel uncomfortable or come off as needy.

If you've already been through this, do you have any tips to add? If so, please share them in the comments below.

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You Don't Need Permission To . . .

DearSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

. . . obsess over a pimple even though you're a grown woman.

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This Week With DearSugar

DearSugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Summer's almost over, so be sure to check out the seven things I think you should do before it's too late!
Take a quick quiz to see what you need to know about Implanon.
Do you feel like an adult?
Who is your biggest celebrity girl crush?
Learn the top 10 sexiest songs for a striptease!
Is popping someone else's pimples a little too close for comfort?
Have you ever been guilty of a fakeup?
Do you have a timeline?
What's worse: A snorer or a bed hog?
Do tell, what was your first orgasm like?
What are your thoughts on PDA? Does it make you uncomfortable?
Unsure Sharon doesn't know how to tell her boyfriend that he needs to lose weight. Do you have any suggestions?
Are you a pack rat?
Thinking about braving sex in the car? Check out my tips to make things pleasurable.

Arrivederci Acne Scars!

DearSugar — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 11:30:00 -0800

Dear Sugar
I am trying to overcome acne so I wash my face everyday with a cocoa butter bar and I use cocoa butter lotion. I've also cut out all sodas from my diet because I've heard they contribute to oily skin. Since I've started this regimen, my skin has cleared some, but I still have random scattered pimples.

However, since I do have less pimples than before, I've been noticing that now I these scar type dark spots on my face where my old blemishes once were. They make it look like my skin is marked and infected. My mother has recently purchased a bleach cream that is supposed to get rid of these kinds of dark spots, but I am reluctant to use it on my face because I have worked so hard to get my skin to the place it is now.

Since my skin is still not 100% pimple free, I'm wondering what you think my next steps should be to try and attain clear skin. Do you think that I should try this bleach cream? Also, should I be continuing my use of cocoa butter bars and lotions? Imperfect Illy

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Imperfect Illy
I can completely understand your reluctance to try a bleaching cream. Sensitive skin can have bad reactions to new products, especially strong products which can cause swelling, redness and even itching.

Most bleaching creams contain an ingredient called hydraquinone and should only be used on a short term basis. Another less toxic bleaching agent is called kojac. You can look to see if the cream that your mother bought has either of these ingredients in them.

Also, I suggest that you consult a specialist about your skin. Make an appointment with a dermatologist or facialist so that you can have a hands-on personal assessment of your skin. A doctor will be able to identify the correct products for your condition.

Something to consider is that if you are planning to get pregnant in the near future, it is important to avoid bleaching creams. Although there is no bad press about bleaching agents and fertility, there is suggested evidence that links birth problems with these agents. You never know, so I would not chance it. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Teenage Beauty Regimen

DearSugar — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 12:18:06 -0700

Dear Sugar
Today I went to a spa for my friend's sweet sixteen party and the facialist said that I should come back to have my blackheads and pimples extracted. The extractions cost $90 and I would have to come back every month for maintenance, but that is more than my parents are willing to pay. I am 15, and I was wondering if there was anything I could buy that is inexpensive but will still work. Also, are there any decently priced skin products that reduce aging? Preventative Penny

Dear Preventative Penny
There are tons of reasonably priced teenage products out there for you. You are never too young to start caring for your face, but you are only 15 so there really is no need for expensive treatments quite yet. It sounds like you need a good exfoliator for your blackheads and pimples. A good skin care regimen includes; exfoliating twice a week, washing day and night with a mild cleanser followed by a toner and moisturizer. And starting eye cream at an early age is good too. Clean and Clear's Blackhead Clearing Scrub is great for teens, and Neutrogena has an entire skin line devoted to teens. Try Neutrogena's Deep Clean Invigorating Scrub and see what you think. Keep in mind that you shouldn't over exfoliate - it can cause breakouts to irritate your skin too much. I think your facialist was trying to lure you back for another treatment. She knew you were new to this, but if you don't see pimples, then trust me, nobody else does either. Don't obsess over your skin yet - the best things you can do are to stay hydrated, keep your face clean and don't pick -- ever!

Group Therapy: I'm Terrified to Get a Pap!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Over the summer I had a bump on my vagina. I went to a free clinic to get it checked out (it turns out to just be a pimple) and the nurse suggested I have a pap-smear since I'd never had one before. I was petrified and when she inserted the swab, it killed. I freaked out and started crying. I tried to get a hold of myself but couldn't so she stopped. I asked her if it was supposed to hurt that badly and she said no. She didn't seem concerned that it did to me, she just thought it was nerves and suggested I come back another time. I am now terrified to go back and get another pap test - even the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach. What should I do? Has this happened to anyone else before?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To be involved in more GROUP THERAPY, click here]

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