Spotless journey update 1

I started this journey to spotless face some time in November 2021.  I don’t consistently update about the progress as I didn’t really see much of it.  I didn’t have the time to really care about the spots during Hajj and then busy adapting to the middle eastern weather at the new place.  After some time, I resumed the spotless skincase routines, adding new dark spot serum and mosturiser that I’ve never tried before because they’re not available in Malaysia.

After more than two years, I think the improvement is becoming visible.  Photo on the left is the condition at the start of the journey and the one on the right is the condition now.  I’ve tried almost everything.  Products that contain Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide, Tranexamic acid, Vitamin C, Salicylic and Glycolic acids.  So, I don’t really have a regime that I can recommend.

Then (left) and now (right)

Hopefully it will be gone completely soon.  I don’t mind waiting for another two years for that :)

Coping with retainers

This is not easy.  It has been the reason why I had to go through Invisalign series after braces.  I've completed my Invisalign treatment and I have to make sure that there will be no third treatment.  I have to diligently wear the retainers.

Nighttime is a lot easier.  I don't usually take dinner and I can put them on as early as after Maghrib.  Retainers are harder than aligners.  Putting them in and out many times during the day is more challenging.

I found a solution that works for me so far.  I wear my last set of aligners during the day instead of the retainers because they are easier to pull out and put back in.  They don't look as smooth as retainers because of the stubs, but this is still better than not wearing anything at all.  I also wear the upper aligners only during the day because I think the upper teeth have more tendency to move or relapse.  The lower ones did not undergo major shifts and were done and stable for quite some time before the treatment ended.

With this plan, things are much better and more manageable.

Sunscreen and sunblock

Eversince becoming conscious with hyperpigmentation, sunscreen has become my best company.  It is important to prevent new pigments from forming while treating the existing ones, though I’m fully aware that sun is not its only cause.  Searching for one that really suits my requirements is challenging though.  Some sting the eyes and skin, some leave white cast and pill.  

The sunscreen below is one of my favourites that I’ve used up completely, twice.  It’s Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++.  It is always satisfying to be able to use up everything till the very last bit of it.  Worth every penny.  But I’ve changed to another brand as this one gives me glossy finish.  

Finished!

From this journey, I also learn about the differences between suncreen and sunblock.  In short, sunscreen is chemical and should be put on 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure.  The protection is via the reaction between the chemical ingredients and the skin.  Sunblock is physical and adds another layer of protection upon application.  Thus, you can apply it right before sun exposure.

Invisalign journey update - refinement phase

After what seems to be an endless hiatus, I am now in the second phase of this journey; refinement.  I received the refinement set today after about 6 weeks with the worn out last aligners from the previous set.  The refinement set comprises 15 pairs, which is to my great relief.  If everything is fine, this journey would end in about four months.  Actually at this juncture, I am already happy with how my teeth look like.  

My latest smile :)

Nevertheless, let’s get to the finish line.

Counterfeit The Ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc 1%?

This is the last thing that I hope to happen when buying items online from Shopee and I’m afraid it has just happened.  Counterfeit products.

I have a hunch that The Ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% that I bought might not be authentic when I noticed spelling error in the direction.  Not acceptable to me for such a well known brand.  Seller, when contacted, did not give the answer I wanted and kept repeating “We only sell original product bla bla …”.

Spelling error

I stopped applying immediately.  I bought the product again, but this time from the authorised retailer and of course at a higher price.  Once arrived, I started to make the comparison and the findings are shocking.

The authentic one (left) has no spelling error

The authentic one (left) is clearer and has lighter texture

Also, the smell of the counterfeit product is horrible.  If not counterfeit, the product may have expired or damaged.  Either one can cause undersirable effect on your skin.  Becareful.

Four months into the invisalign journey

How time flies.  I’m now into the last week of the fourth month of this journey i.e. wearing tray #16.  How far has it gone?  Picture speaks thousand words.

Tray #1 (top) vs. tray #16 (bottom)

The most notable improvement so far is, I think, on the lower teeth.  I have this one stubborn bottom tooth that could not be corrected last time by braces because it was too slanted.  The metal bracket accidentally popped off while the wire was being placed.  It is pretty much straight now.  Below are the before and now pictures.

Before                               Now

First month                     Fourth month

The teeth are certainly better aligned now.  Today, I received the last 9 sets until the 25th pair.  I really am looking forward to complete this journey that I’ve started four months ago.  For now, I have gradually, yet surely, gained confidence to smile with the mouth open.  Till the next progress … 

30-day SOME BY ME Yuja Niacin Brightening Toner Challenge

This challenge is just for fun 😆.  After so many tries before, 30 days actually don’t mean much for a visible change, in my opinion.  But well, why not?

So, I’ve just got this that I bought from Shopee.  Where else?   

Reason for buying is because I’ve to look for an alternative to the Bodyshop Drops of Light essence lotion that has been discontinued.  I start applying today, 1st March 2022.  So my skincare routine changes slightly as below.

1. Morning face wash with kojic acid soap
2. Toning using SOME BY ME Yuja Niacin brightening toner
3. Eucerin booster serum (all over the face)
4. Eucerin ultrawhite spotless spot corrector (on the spots only)
5. Mosturise with existing Bodyshop Drops of Light day cream
6. Banana Boat 80+ SPF sunscreen (reapply twice during the day every about 4 hours)
7. Evening face wash with kojic acid soap
8. Toning using my existing Bodyshop Drops of Light essence lotion
9. The Ordinary apha arbutin 2% + HA serum (on the spots only)
10. The Raw arbutin 2% + niacinamide + glutathione serum (all over the face)

I start by applying in the morning only since this new toner contains niacinamide and I’m already applying The Raw niacinamide at night.  I will apply both morning and night when I run out of the Drops of Light essence lotion, which is expected to be soon.  On top of these, I also exfoliate my skin twice or thrice a week using existing Bodyshop Drops of Youth liquid peel that has already expired actually.  Let’s see if it gives me anything by 31st March.

Having gone this far with no really noticeable, consistent improvement, I have to admit that I’m dealing with super stubborn dark spots.  They like my face so much and just refuse to leave.

My spotless skincare routine

It has been almost four months since I started the journey to spotless.  I’ve been trying a number of different products and haven’t seen much improvement.  I am not that patient actually to wait for months before seeing the result of a product.  I would eagerly start to try another one when the one I’m using is not showing any improvement.  Because there are just too many in the market to choose from.  My bad.

However, I think I can now begin to have a skincare routine routine that I can stay with for a few months until I see the results or give up.

1. Morning face wash with kojic acid soap
2. Toning using my existing Bodyshop Drops of Light essence lotion
3. Eucerin booster serum (all over the face)
4. Eucerin ultrawhite spotless spot corrector (on the spots only)
5. Mosturise with existing Bodyshop Drops of Light day cream
6. Banana Boat 80+ SPF sunscreen (reapply twice during the day every about 4 hours)
7. Evening face wash with kojic acid soap
8. Toning using my existing Bodyshop Drops of Light essence lotion
9. The Ordinary apha arbutin 2% + HA serum (on the spots only)
10. The Raw arbutin 2% + niacinamide + glutathione serum (all over the face)

Plus a good night sleep.  I am not using any night cream for the moment to allow some time for the skin to breathe.  I usually sleep with aircond off, so it doesn’t cause any dryness.

Hope to see some positive results in a few months.  Although I am okay to wait for a year or two, the cost that comes along with it is something, especially for Bodyshop and Eucerin product lines.  Thanks to Shopee for making it more bearable.  Hope to be able to share good results soon!

My Invisalign journey

I am embarking on another journey 🙂.  A journey to straighten my teeth, especially the upper ones.  I think my two main front incisors at the top are too big and a bit protruding. Because of the size, even small overbyte can be obvious.  They're not too bad actually.  It's just that I think it'll boost my confidence even more if I can have them properly aligned, especially now that we are making more and more online appearance where our faces and mouths are closer to the cameras than ever before.

Captured at a speech I gave
during an online conference

Upon discussion with the dentist, the two incisors are actually of normal size.  But the other two incisors at the sides of them are smaller than average, which make the former two look bigger than they are.  So, it’s these latter two that need to be made bigger.

So, for my case, the Invisalign treatment is divided into two parts.  The first one is mainly to space out the upper teeth to make way for the super small teeth to be enlarged, cosmetically.  The second part is the real journey to straighten them.  So half way through, there will be a rescan for me where another set of trays will be printed, at no additional cost.

My byte before the treatment

After the first scan, I received 25 sets of trays altogether that I am not going to wear all.  I will only be wearing half of them, for about 3 months or so.  Once enough spacing is obtained, the super small teeth will be enlarged and after that, there will be a rescan and I will be receiving a another set of trays to complete the treatment.

The dentist also said that for my case, I can change the trays every week.  Good news.  Looks like I can move my teeth faster and hopefully the journey can be shortened too.

Month 1 - 6/12/2021

With this other journey, I will no longer be too preoccupied with the journey to spotless.  Hope both will end well.

Journey to spotless

Despite COVID-19, I am excitedly reporting about another journey!  A different kind of journey though.  A journey to a spotless face.  Flawless face might be too much to ask at this age.  So I will be fine with having a spotless one.

Ever since not having to go to the office, I have not been religiously applying the skincare regime, thinking that I am safe because I am not being out under the sun while working from home, forgetting that hormonal changes due to aging also play a part.

They're not that bad actually and can be easily covered with a thin layer of foundation.  But if zoomed in, they're quite horrendous.  There are two spots that I am mainly targetting, one of which is shown below.  I will reveal my skincare treatment regime at the end of this post, if it works.

Day 1 - The beginning
6/11/2021

Day 6 - Hardly any change
11/11/2021

Day 11
16/11/2021

It’s difficult to ensure the same focus and exposure.  I try my best to ensure fair reporting nevertheless 😁.  After all, this is amateur work.  I think it's fading.  Not to be overly optimistic though, let’s wait for another 5 days.

Day 16 - After 2 weeks
21/11/2021

The next reporting would be in about another 2 weeks i.e. result after about a month.

Day 30 - It’s still there
5/12/2021

I am actually not quite sure now if it is fading or what.  The thing is, even if it is fading, the skin around it is also probably getting fairer, which, in a way, makes the spot more visible than before.  Nevertheless, I don't expect the positive effect, if any, is going to be very noticeable that fast, especially when the spot has been with me for years.  So I'll come back with update after another 2 weeks, or maybe a month.

It's the haze (again)

Sigh.  Year after year, it is the same problem that we have to face during this time of the year.  Is there any other solution to this?  Putting our health at risk is one thing.  Unexpected closure of schools is another.  For families like us, who have no helper to rely on, impromptu action and plan are needed when such announcement is made.  Luckily, I only have a one hour lecture today.  I can still perform my duty while taking care of Along and Angah.  Leaving them unattended for one hour is still acceptable.  But I have 5 hours of lectures to deliver tomorrow!  What if the school is still close tomorrow?  I can't possible leave them alone for 5 hours.  I hope the university is also close tomorrow.  Sigh.

Achik and pneumonia

It has been one and a half year since Achik was last admitted to the hospital.  She is back this time for the same reason.  She started coughing last Wednesday and didn't sleep well that night.  She was breathing fast.  We took her to a nearby clinic on Thursday night and the result was not good. We were given a referral letter, which meant that Achik needed to see a paediatrician.   I took her to see Dr. Khairul on  Friday and it came as no surprise when he told me that Achik had to be admitted.

Where we are this time

Because the rooms were fully booked and occupied that Friday, we only managed to 'check in' on Saturday, after Maghrib prayer.  Prior to that, we had to commute to the hospital every four hours for her nebulisation and Oxygen reading.

Pneumonia oh pneumonia

Having been hospitalised twice, I can't help but feel 'something' each time achik shows signs of fever or cold.  And she did that again yesterday.  She had her varicella and pneumococcal jabs last Saturday and started to have fever that evening, which I thought was due to the jabs.  But when the fever didn't go away after three days and she started to cough, that feeling came.  I did some information searching on pneumonia amongst children and here are my findings.  Credit to Info Sihat.

Symptoms:

• Demam panas
• Batuk dengan atau tanpa kahak
• Sakit dada
• Tiada selera makan, tidak mahu makan
• Rasa tidak sihat, sering merengek
• Pernafasan laju atau susah bernafas
• Muntah atau cirit-birit

Achik had only the first two symptoms when she suffered from the pneumonia.  She ate and drink milk well.  She was grumpy a bit when her body temperature was high, but back to her normal active self when it subsided.

Children who suffered from pneumonia will be hospitalised when:

• Pernafasan laju
• Sukar untuk bernafas
• Bibir menjadi biru
• Batuk berdarah
• Tidak boleh makan atau minum atau tidak kencing

Sounds a bit too late to me.  I don't think parents should wait until the above signs appear to have their children admitted to the hospital.  Furthermore, in a number of pneumonia cases that I came across, which sadly ended with the death of the children, the only sign that the parents could see was the fever.

Prevention checklist:

• Mengekalkan amalan cara hidup sihat - always striving for this
• Amalan kebersihan diri dan persekitaran yang baik - this too
• Teruskan penyusuan susu ibu - am doing it
• Mengambil immunisasi boleh mencegah jangkitan kuman di paru-paru - done

Based on my experience, (1) always observe the number 3.  If the symptoms do not go away after 3 days, do something.  (2) take action as early as possible.  In fact, in some cases, the bacteria that infect the lungs actually come from the infected upper respiratory organs like nostrils and throat.  Therefore, early treatment can avoid them from spreading to the lower respiratory organs.