Skin NOT healing right since going RAW

[Coconutcutie]

I have been 100% raw (with exception of nutritional yeast and a few supplements) for about three months now. Before going raw I was eating a traditional Chinese diet for the 6 months prior....small amounts of organic meat, cooked vegetables, and cooked whole grains. Before that I was transitioning to raw, so I was about 60-70% raw, with some meat included.

Among other reasons, I went raw was because I heard that it would improve skin problems...I was convinced it had to be my answer....my skin problems are acne (cystic), rosacea, sun allergy, and possibly eczema. At the three month mark I can see that my cystic acne has improved, the other conditions remain the same.

However, while my breakouts have improved somewhat since going raw, I have noticed that I am not healing from breakouts as well as I used to. Whereas only the cysts used to leave scars, even the smallest of pimples are leaving huge indented areas. This never happened to me before with small breakouts. While there may be other factors involved such as having a long-term reaction to an antibiotic that is known to down-regulate collagen production throughout the body, this factor was present for 6 months before going raw and I was healing fine (on the Chinese "cooked" diet. I also notice that my face looks deflated and saggy and generally lifeless. I definitely look worse now that I did even 4 months ago (pre-raw), and even some kids have commented on how much older I look now. I am 28 years old.

I take 10 grams of MSM per day, Opti-Zinc 50-100 mg. per day between meals, as well as eat plenty of hemp seeds, chia seeds, spirulina, yeast and greens for ample protein. I also take methyl B-12, vitamins A&D, 7 grams of ester-C, and quercetin daily (treats my sun allergy). I am thinking of adding hydrochloric acid or more enzymes but that is more of an expense and I feel like raw should be helping me eliminate the need for supplements, not give me a reason to take more.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, or if I'm just the exception to every rule (which has proven true with everything so far). I love the raw lifestyle and really believe the science behind it, and have seen results in all of you time and time again, however I am just a walking billboard for what not to look like. Sadly looks are rather important to me and I would like my outer self to reflect my inner self....I am trying to not even look in the mirror anymore because doing so causes me to cry and become very depressed. I used to be quite attractive. Don't even ask me to have my picture taken...I haven't allowed it to be taken in over 9 months and looks like that isn't changing anytime soon. I have pictures up on my myspace from a year ago and it's funny because it's like looking at a different person.... I went to a laser/aesthetic center to see about what I could do to improve the look of my scars and they went crazy over my skin...how I need to use retin-a, be on Accutane, antibiotics wear spf 100 everyday, do peels, laser etc. or I'm pretty much stuck with breaking out and scarring for the rest of my life. Well, guess what half of that stuff isn't even an option for me at this point after the way my body violently reacted to 3 pills of another medication...and I'm not keen on throwing potentially toxic chemicals on top of my skin either. And I already know what it's like to live in fear of the sun because of the sun allergy I developed 6 months ago. It got to the point where I was coating my face with spf 30 and wearing a UV visor and I was still reacting through windows after only a few seconds of exposure. Thank god Quercetin saved me from that madness, and I can now tolerate some sun even though I do still wear spf 30 and a hat all of the time.

Anyone have any tips? I'm really down. Almost to the point of where I would add meat back to my diet to see if things improve...logic and all I've learned say this is not the answer....but I don't know what to do.I feel very lost right now

[Clare]

I am so sorry about your skin! I can relate, though I am doing very well now.

Remember that three months is not very long and you have alot of toxins in your system. I know that enemas and colonics are controversial among raw foodists, but I have been helped with detox immensely by a daily coffee enema. I think it's great that you are taking zinc, however I have read that you need sufficient acid/enzymes to absorb it, and then it helps you make more of your own acid - it's a vicious cycle of low acid/low zinc. My betaine-HCL with pepsin supplement cost me less than $5 and I took it for just a month with my zinc and now continue only the zinc...I find great prices at iherb.com especially NOW brand. Perhaps you are taking in more fats than your body can handle right now?

You could also very cheaply add some good flora to your system by brewing kombucha and/or home sauerkraut which is so easy with a food processor. Many people report that kombucha helps skin problems. You can start with a bottle from the HFS and grow your own "mushroom" with the regular recipe plus a little ACV to lower pH - in 2 weeks or less your mushroom will be going.

I do use Retin-A which I am afraid to stop :-) plus I figure it's good for again but it was terrible getting through the "reaction" period. I supplement with some non-vegan raw food but I suggest you DON'T add back dairy however frustrated you might be as that is usually an acne no-no.

Finally - pray! Not just for your skin healing but for peace and to offer up your suffering.

[Revvell]

Suggestion... are you eating organic? If not, drop ALL those dead supplements and use the money you are saving on raw, organic, whole food. When I see:
I take 10 grams of MSM per day, Opti-Zinc 50-100 mg. per day between meals, as well as eat plenty of hemp seeds, chia seeds, spirulina, yeast and greens for ample protein. I also take methyl B-12, vitamins A&D, 7 grams of ester-C, and quercetin daily (treats my sun allergy). I am thinking of adding hydrochloric acid or more enzymes I cringe.

If you are eating fresh greens and/or drinking green smoozies daily, you are getting ample protein. Sounds to me like you're working too hard.

I go by Alissa's program of fresh, raw, natural food. That's it. Do it for 30 days and see what happens, 'k?

[Coconutcutie]

Suggestion... are you eating organic? If not, drop ALL those dead supplements and use the money you are saving on raw, organic, whole food. When I see: I cringe.

If you are eating fresh greens and/or drinking green smoozies daily, you are getting ample protein. Sounds to me like you're working too hard.

I go by Alissa's program of fresh, raw, natural food. That's it. Do it for 30 days and see what happens, 'k?

Yes, eating 100 % organic and drinking green smoothies everyday. No nuts, eating chia seeds/flax seeds/hemp seeds to keep me happy and so that I don't drop anymore weight and/or miss out on essential fatty acids. Not to mention that they taste good... I did drop the supps. for the first two months or so...didn't have anything magical happen...except for more breakouts and more impaired healing/scars plus sun allergy came back with intensity. Sorry if I sound curt, just really feeling like something is not working here for me (and the something might be my body). I really don't think these supplements are hurting me especially if I am shown be lacking in zinc and vitamin D and can't tolerate too much sun (especially if I don't supplement Quercetin). In any event your insight and wisdom is always taken with much appreciation and consideration.

[Coconutcutie]

I am so sorry about your skin! I can relate, though I am doing very well now.

Remember that three months is not very long and you have alot of toxins in your system. I know that enemas and colonics are controversial among raw foodists, but I have been helped with detox immensely by a daily coffee enema. I think it's great that you are taking zinc, however I have read that you need sufficient acid/enzymes to absorb it, and then it helps you make more of your own acid - it's a vicious cycle of low acid/low zinc. My betaine-HCL with pepsin supplement cost me less than $5 and I took it for just a month with my zinc and now continue only the zinc...I find great prices at iherb.com especially NOW brand. Perhaps you are taking in more fats than your body can handle right now?

You could also very cheaply add some good flora to your system by brewing kombucha and/or home sauerkraut which is so easy with a food processor. Many people report that kombucha helps skin problems. You can start with a bottle from the HFS and grow your own "mushroom" with the regular recipe plus a little ACV to lower pH - in 2 weeks or less your mushroom will be going.

I do use Retin-A which I am afraid to stop :-) plus I figure it's good for again but it was terrible getting through the "reaction" period. I supplement with some non-vegan raw food but I suggest you DON'T add back dairy however frustrated you might be as that is usually an acne no-no.

Finally - pray! Not just for your skin healing but for peace and to offer up your suffering.


Hi, I have been doing coffee enemas every few days and also have been eating locally purchased, live homemade sauerkraut on a daily basis. I feel like I am doing everything that I can but just getting so discouraged. I drank Kombucha last weekend and every since have had horrible gurgling pain in my stomach especially after eating and when I have to go to the bathroom. This never happened to me before with Kombucha so I don't know what the deal is. Maybe detox or just plain intolerance? I don't know.

I'm worried to eliminate too much fat because then I start to get very skinny and don't feel right...already had to drop nuts like cashews because they were causing horrible herpes-related outbreaks, or possibly allergic reactions....tried just fruit, vegetables and vegetable juices in addition to my green smoothie one week because I lost my appetite and now my size 0's don't even fit me...sometimes I can even pull my shorts off without unbuttoning them :( I'm eating relatively simply now compared to the early days of raw....i.e watermelon for breakfast, green smoothie later on, some sliced veggies and sauerkraut for snack, nori wrap with avocado and cauliflower plus nut. yeast/chia/sea salt parma concoction for dinner, cherries for dessert

Thanks anyway though, don't know what I'm expecting to hear, but I'm not planning to stop raw, just wondering if there is something I'm missing here (hopefully not meat...yikes). Will go ahead and get some enzymes in any event because I was using them plus hydrochloric acid before going raw and then I tried to drop most supps....maybe I really do need them? I have a lot of undigested food in my stool (pink poops after watermelon especially a tip-off)

[Vaclare79]

Hi, I have been doing coffee enemas every few days and also have been eating locally purchased, live homemade sauerkraut on a daily basis. I feel like I am doing everything that I can but just getting so discouraged. I drank Kombucha last weekend and every since have had horrible gurgling pain in my stomach especially after eating and when I have to go to the bathroom. This never happened to me before with Kombucha so I don't know what the deal is. Maybe detox or just plain intolerance? I don't know.

I'm worried to eliminate too much fat because then I start to get very skinny and don't feel right...tried just fruit and juices one week because I lost my appetite and now my size 0's don't even fit me

Thanks anyway

Girl you're going to be ok. Just keep eating raw.

[cibra]

I too get acne as well as my brother. He went to an allergy doc and was told adult acne is caused from apples, pears and pineapple.
I ate an apple a few weeks ago and I still have acne from it.

[Coconutcutie]

OK, maybe this is where I should have gone with this...

Is it possible that 100% raw does not cure 100% of people of 100% of health conditions 100% of the time? And are there other factors unique to an individual that could hamper said individual's response to healing while eating raw? For example, past deficiencies, hormonal factors, past use of certain pharmaceuticals, etc? Is there a grace period where it is acceptable to supplement with certain elements to strengthen the body while healing with raw?

[Vaclare79]

OK, maybe this is where I should have gone with this...

Is it possible that 100% raw does not cure 100% of people of 100% of health conditions 100% of the time? And are there other factors unique to an individual that could hamper said individual's response to healing while eating raw? For example, past deficiencies, hormonal factors, past use of certain pharmaceuticals, etc? Is there a grace period where it is acceptable to supplement with certain elements to strengthen the body while healing with raw?

OMG! I forgot totally to tell you about this girl! I read about a woman who went raw while eating a lot of fruits. Then she stopped eating fruits and more greens instead then her face stopped breaking out. It's because of the fructose sugars, some people have more sensitivity from it.. and break out more because of it so there ya go if you're eating more fruits then maybe that is what's making you break out a lot ?

[Coconutcutie]

Eh....don't know if I'm really eating that much fruit, at least compared to some following the raw diet successfully. There was a time when I was eating none at all and it didn't make a difference, would still break out...and also times when I would be clear for maybe 10 minutes and I would add fruit back in and it didn't break me out...I understand where the idea comes from though because some people are fructose intolerant or fruit aggravates candida or something...but for me haven't really found much of a correlation between fruit and breakouts....I don't know, when I get my will to try yet another "approach" back maybe I will try cutting out fruit altogether and see what happens this time :(

[Conscious Midwife]

RAW requires time and variety.

Why no nuts? What about avos?

Consider the following...

Dump the supplements
Slather on pure raw shea butter nightly. (not drugstore variety)
Oil pulling
Washing face with diluted Dr. Bonners, PEAR, or just plan water


Ever thought that part of your lifelong detoxing process may be the facial rxn you are experiencing? Who knows how long it will take to rid your colon of the carcasses you consumed earlier this year ( surely nothing healing about meat). Also consider environmental stressors and the role they may be playing (air quality, water source, detergents on clothes etc...)

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Coconutcutie]

RAW requires time and variety.

Why no nuts? What about avos?

Consider the following...

Dump the supplements
Slather on pure raw shea butter nightly. (not drugstore variety)
Oil pulling
Washing face with diluted Dr. Bonners, PEAR, or just plan water


Ever thought that part of your lifelong detoxing process may be the facial rxn you are experiencing? Who knows how long it will take to rid your colon of the carcasses you consumed earlier this year ( surely nothing healing about meat). Also consider environmental stressors and the role they may be playing (air quality, water source, detergents on clothes etc...)

GOOD LUCK!!!

As I stated in an earlier post, I eliminated nuts because they were causing very obvious herpes-related breakouts all over my mouth and around my nose (as well as other unmentionable areas). I do eat avocados everyday.

Have a whole house reverse osmosis system, have not used any crap on my skin in years, have done the gammit of cleanses, etc. the list goes on and on. If I have been detoxing my whole life and that is why my skin is crap then it began when I was 10, I stopped detoxing and my skin looked beautiful during each pregnancy and for 9 months after giving birth, and then began detoxing again.

Will be using some cashed saving bonds I got when I was a kid to get a series of colonics, maybe that will help :rolleyes:

Sorry to sounds difficult, but really I have spent my life trying to figure this stuff out...thought raw would take care of it...was wrong...will continue raw anyway but need some tweaking somewhere

[shashibala]

If pregnancy had a great effect on your skin, it seems that it might have a hormonal root. Hormonal issues have been the hardest for me to resolve. I've been all raw for 6 1/2 months. I feel great in every other way, but those hormonal issues that are for me, chin acne, pms, depression, terrible cramps, and stabbing pains during my period are taking longer to resolve. I have just added maca and saw palmetto to my routine to try to balance my hormones. I can't tell if it's helping yet as it's been only a week.
I'm sorry you are feeling so frustrated!! I wish you all the best!

[cherries]

How about an elimination diet? You start out eating things you know are safe, then add other foods until you get a reaction, then you know what is causing it. Some reactions may take several days to show up.

As far as acne, coconut oil always helps me, although everyone is different. Why does it work? My theory is that it "flushes the pipes", also it has antimicrobial lauric acid making up 53 percent of its composition.

[EZ rider]

Are you getting plenty of natural fiber in your diet so that toxins are whisked out rather then having to come out through the skin ?

[freespirit]

What about a master cleanse? I didnt have perfect skin before, and after I did a Master cleanse my skin changed- its hard to describe- it eliminates old gunk easier, heals faster, nothing new has come up- just elimination of the old break outs. Its just different. google acne and master cleanse and check it out.

also- longterm wheatgrass programs- talking 4-20 oz a day- have been shown to dramactically reduce acne scars as well as acne. At that level you should grow your own or buy it frozen. It work miracles though- wheatgrasskits.com has some inexpensive kits to get you started.

hope this helps!!

[Clare]

Since it look to be a problem of hormonal balance, do you have regular cycles? PMS? I balanced my hormones with Chasteberry (vitex) back when they needed help a couple years ago.

I do agree though that you will be fine - stick with it. Give it like a year or more :-) When I was a teen, my mom had cancer and we went to a Gerson hospital for the first couple weeks of her therapy to give her rest and learn. Well, after a few days, I had the worst skin of my life, not just on my face but all over! I could hardly sit down. All those juices and fresh foods had me detoxing very quickly and uncomfortable. Glad you are doing some coffee!

[Pookietooth]

Pumpkin seeds have a lot of zinc in them, and if you soak them the zinc will be more absorbable. I could see where nuts would aggravate a virus, as the arginine can do that, but I think there is another amino acid, lysine, that counteracts it (found in corn, among other things). You could try to sprout them for even better absorption, but I've never had any luck with that.
Here's some info about zinc:
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/zinc.html
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/zinc.html#food

[Coconutcutie]

Thanks for all of the thoughtful responses. Here is some extra info"

-I eat coconut oil daily, also coconut and coconut butter although not too much because of the herpes-promoting arginine it contains

-I do balance high-arginine foods with high-lysine foods like mesquite, nut. yeast and sometimes corn

-I get a ton of fiber from flax, hemp, and chia seeds along with the greens, fruits, and veggies. I have at least 5-6 BM's per day, or at least one for every meal. I do eat pumpkin seeds although they seem to trigger breakouts, so now I am afraid to have them again

-I do have regular periods and always have. Have also had my ovaries checked three times for cysts- none. I got pregnant as soon as we tried, both times

-I do eat live raw sauerkraut everyday to get the good bacteria into my body. I got tired of buying expensive probiotic pills that I'm pretty sure no longer contained any live bacteria by the time they reached the store. Plus the sauerkraut tastes better

-I have had allergy tests and eliminating the foods I came up allergic to like asparagus, pineapple, eggs, almonds, peanuts, and dairy did not make much of a difference for my acne because I hadn't really eaten these foods much in my life to begin with. I also have not eaten gluten for a few years. These days I seem intolerant to everything though, I am having loose stools regardless of what I eat, especially since drinking Kombucha tea over a week ago. Even my green smoothie passes through and ends up looking the same in my toilet as it did in my cup (I know, disgusting). This has only happened since drinking the Kombucha though

-I am currently using saw palmetto and maca (maca occasionally, according to my cycle) and also making skin-supportive teas such as sarsaparilla, sassafras, dandelion, burdock, red clover, licorice, and white peony. These herbs seem to be keeping breakouts at bay, at least the ones that show up pre-menstrually

So, my main problem here is not stopping the acne, which is already tapering off to a good degree since being raw for 3 months, but getting my skin to heal properly. Scars are not healing as well since going raw. What used to heal in a week is now taking a month or longer, that is if it even does heal properly. Also I look like I have aged at least 10 years with saggy skin, age spots, the whole shebang. This is what has concerned me - I'm only 28. I was worried and was wondering if there was something else I was missing...It may not even be the raw diet that is causing this negative change

I will keep up with the collagen-building supplements and superfoods and also continue the daily enema and will begin weekly colonics (thank you to the kind person that PM'ed me about this).

Will look into the Wheatgrass therapy...thank you! I have juiced wheatgrass but never in a fasting/cleanse format

I do think that my problem is hormonal to some degree, and I see that others still struggle with hormonal issues even while raw. However, this does not explain the poor healing, unless my estrogen has dropped and I am experiencing rapid aging from this. Also perhaps I am suffering from collagen production impairment due to a factor that is out of my control - mitochondrial pollution from taking 3 pills 9 months ago of a drug that is known to saturate every cell in the body and strongly bond to cellular mitochondria (scientists have tried fervently to wash it out of mitochondrial rat cells in the lab...and they haven't yet succeeded) and also impair collagen producing tissues to the point where serious tendon, cartilage, skin and joint damage had been suffered by many. It also seems as if an auto-immune process is triggered at the same time. If any of you have seen the Hulk movie this may sound like a similar scenario, at least it seems like it to me...

Thank you again, and sorry if I seem somehow argumentative or difficult. If you can name it I've tried it...and it's frustrating, especially when I am dealing with some degree of disfigurement here. Also dealing with watching my body self-destruct as a result of having taken this drug.

I do want to re-iterate that raw has dramatically decreased breakouts and pretty much eliminated cysts for me, so I have seen some positive results

Thank you all for listening to my lament

[RawLoveBaby]

Hi Coconutcutie,

I completely understand your frustration. A few years ago my skin got really bad. I had acne, rosacea, eczema, all sorts of rashes and staph infections. At one point it got so bad that I actually startled some people with my appearance at the grocery store. Looking back, it's nearly funny... not my feelings about it, but just the fact that skin could get that imbalanced that I could scare someone!

Anyhow, it's been a long road to recovery with cleanses, eating raw, and high raw etc. And nothing has completely cleared it permanently so far. My best results were when I was at a cleansing retreat.

In addition to a very cleansing diet, I think mental state is just as important if not more. I was so relaxed, calm, and positive about healing while on retreat. When I'm back at home and in my normal routine, I feel anxious, frustrated etc. on how to "fix" myself or my skin. My face flushes easily, and I notice if I take some deep breaths and/or do some meditation, the flushing clears. If I'm particularly stressed, my skin seems to get worse. So this proves to me that mental state has something to do with it. Also, a stressed state (and stress can be emotional too) can mess with hormones, so yes, hormones can be affecting the skin too.

Anyhow, although it's a challenge to change my behavior and habits, I think my obsession with health and fixing myself through cleansing and other health fads actually plays a large hand in my skin trouble. They say what you focus on expands! So, in my case, I've been focusing on my "horrible" skin, and finding a cure etc, so guess what! My skin trouble is still in the picture (thank god not as bad as a few years ago!) and I'm still trying to find a cure. It takes practice, but I'm trying to catch myself in any negative patterns or if I'm speaking unkindly to myself and replacing it with a positive thought. The law of attraction right! So, instead of getting wrapped up in the frustration and thinking to yourself, "why aren't I healing! what's wrong with me!", change that to, "my body is healing."

Have you read You can Heal your Life by Louise Hay? Or any of the Dreamhealer books by Adam? I really like those, especially Louise Hay. Keep me updated on your progress and if any one thing helps you...

[freespirit]

If it is the healing you are after, I would do a master cleanse. while i was on it, I was disappointed bc my skin didnt change at all. not even a little- it wasnt until I was finished that it cleared up and i have a completely different skin type now. Im assuming some intense repair had to happen internally before the external was repaired.

[Coconutcutie]

Thank you for both new replies!

I had never heard that benefit of the MC - will have to start on it ASAP!

Thanks

[freespirit]

If you have a health food store that has books they will most likely have it

-The Master Cleanse by Stanley Burroughs.

[Emma-Liza]

I also have severe skin issues--6 skin cancer surgeries, the last of which left a 5-inch scar down my face, from just under the eye to past my mouth.

I have rosacea, which has recently worsened, and is one of the main factors driving me to eat raw. A number of things I have learned about this condition is that "acne" (actually papules) is a big part of it for some people and it might not appear right away, but show up years later (as it did for me).

I do go out in the sun sometimes, always with a hat, and it usually hurts. It has hurt to have sun on my face since I was in my 20s (I'm 52 now) and had no idea I had rosacea, because visible signs of it hadn't appeared yet. I didn't know then that wasn't normal. I never understood why people liked to sunbathe--I figured it was something they suffered to have a tan!

I have been living with the flushing since my 30s and I had determined not to mind. But then pain began to accompany the flushing. Then the pain worsened.

I shared a beer with Mr. Liza a few weeks ago and the pain in my face lasted for 4 days. I had to put cool packs on my face the first 2 days just for some relief (baggie of tap water plus 1 ice cube). I have stopped having alcohol altogether, don't exercise vigorously, stay out of the heat, lots of contortions of avoidance, and finally, I'm actually trying to treat this from the inside.

My research in the last few weeks has produced these things, which I am trying. I only see a little diminishing of the blushing/redness for now, but hardly any papules, and my skin feels much better, both smoother and firmer. I think it will be weeks and months to see the most change, so I am resolved to be patient.

1. Diet -- 80% alkaline and high water content. I thought I knew what foods were alkaline, but I found I had gaps, so a chart is helpful for me.

2. Stop all prescriptions and prescription topical treatments except an extremely gentle bar soap (Neutrogena and Cetaphil make good bars; I never knew the liquids I'd been using for years d alcohol in it) and jojoba oil mixed with water. I ordered a mineral block that I hope will enhance this (the only external thing I'm trying.) Jojoba oil is noncomodogenic (sp?) which means it doesn't clog pores. Rosacea sufferers must have clean, open pores. I don't wear liquid makeup daily, only on special occasions. I do use a mineral powder, which appears not to irritate or clog.

3. Drink 12-16 glasses of water a day. 12 is supposed be minimum for rosacea sufferers, who are hotter and dryer than normal.

4. Do something to move the lymph system--in my case, not too vigorous rebounding. It doesn't seem to flush my skin at this point.

My personal philosophy about vitamins and herbs is that it's easy to misuse them and some kinds of misuse, such as too much vitamin A, can have severe consequences. I stick to homeopathics, flower essences, and the like. Using the wrong one or the wrong amount isn't harmful. That said, I'll take a prescription drug when I feel it's necessary or vitamin/herb supplement if recommended by someone whose education/background is credible to me (i.e., hardly anyone!). However, with one exception, this is temporary and short-lived. As we all know, all the carefulness in the world is still not fail-safe.

Lastly, if you've gotten through my verbosity, I do agree with RawLoveBaby about focus and intent. I've experienced it with physical ailments, in fact, I think that's one area it works best.

Please keep posting your progress!

[Coconutcutie]

I also have severe skin issues--6 skin cancer surgeries, the last of which left a 5-inch scar down my face, from just under the eye to past my mouth.

I have rosacea, which has recently worsened, and is one of the main factors driving me to eat raw. A number of things I have learned about this condition is that "acne" (actually papules) is a big part of it for some people and it might not appear right away, but show up years later (as it did for me).

I do go out in the sun sometimes, always with a hat, and it usually hurts. It has hurt to have sun on my face since I was in my 20s (I'm 52 now) and had no idea I had rosacea, because visible signs of it hadn't appeared yet. I didn't know then that wasn't normal. I never understood why people liked to sunbathe--I figured it was something they suffered to have a tan!

I have been living with the flushing since my 30s and I had determined not to mind. But then pain began to accompany the flushing. Then the pain worsened.

I shared a beer with Mr. Liza a few weeks ago and the pain in my face lasted for 4 days. I had to put cool packs on my face the first 2 days just for some relief (baggie of tap water plus 1 ice cube). I have stopped having alcohol altogether, don't exercise vigorously, stay out of the heat, lots of contortions of avoidance, and finally, I'm actually trying to treat this from the inside.

My research in the last few weeks has produced these things, which I am trying. I only see a little diminishing of the blushing/redness for now, but hardly any papules, and my skin feels much better, both smoother and firmer. I think it will be weeks and months to see the most change, so I am resolved to be patient.

1. Diet -- 80% alkaline and high water content. I thought I knew what foods were alkaline, but I found I had gaps, so a chart is helpful for me.

2. Stop all prescriptions and prescription topical treatments except an extremely gentle bar soap (Neutrogena and Cetaphil make good bars; I never knew the liquids I'd been using for years d alcohol in it) and jojoba oil mixed with water. I ordered a mineral block that I hope will enhance this (the only external thing I'm trying.) Jojoba oil is noncomodogenic (sp?) which means it doesn't clog pores. Rosacea sufferers must have clean, open pores. I don't wear liquid makeup daily, only on special occasions. I do use a mineral powder, which appears not to irritate or clog.

3. Drink 12-16 glasses of water a day. 12 is supposed be minimum for rosacea sufferers, who are hotter and dryer than normal.

4. Do something to move the lymph system--in my case, not too vigorous rebounding. It doesn't seem to flush my skin at this point.

My personal philosophy about vitamins and herbs is that it's easy to misuse them and some kinds of misuse, such as too much vitamin A, can have severe consequences. I stick to homeopathics, flower essences, and the like. Using the wrong one or the wrong amount isn't harmful. That said, I'll take a prescription drug when I feel it's necessary or vitamin/herb supplement if recommended by someone whose education/background is credible to me (i.e., hardly anyone!). However, with one exception, this is temporary and short-lived. As we all know, all the carefulness in the world is still not fail-safe.

Lastly, if you've gotten through my verbosity, I do agree with RawLoveBaby about focus and intent. I've experienced it with physical ailments, in fact, I think that's one area it works best.

Please keep posting your progress!

Thanks for your input....Rosacea is a DRAG, I agree....

For me it's hard to correlate my sun allergy with rosacea, since Quercetin (natural antihistamine) knocks the reaction out and keeps it away as long as I take it. If it were just rosacea causing it, I don't think anti-histamines would prevent the reaction...

I agree about supplements, it is best to take as few as possible. Considering I used to take close to 70 different supplements per day, narrowing mine down to a short list is quite an accomplishment. Right now I only take what I need to prevent my sun allergy from severely limiting my life, and also the collagen-building ones. I have come up deficient in vitamins A & D plus zinc, possibly from years of malabsorption and gluten intolerance so I have to continue to take them until my levels are up...

I have started rebounding now that I can tolerate it, and I hope that it helps move things along. I get a terrible pain on my arm where it joins my armpit on my right arm (lymph related??) when I rebound, as well as a strange pressure in my head, chest, and shoulder, and sometimes a cracking sound/sensation inside my head. I'm just working through those uncomfortable sensations right now, which seem to be better than when I tried it last time over a month ago.

For sure emotions play a role...I am suffering from massive grief, despair, and anger and I'm sure these don't help my cause. If I can work through all of these perhaps I will see a positive change in many areas....

[RawHeaven]

Coconutcutie, try oil cleansing. Worked for me. I just relapsed using my old beauty products and my skin was literally destroyed. I'm oil cleansing again with (EVOO) extra virgin olive oil + castor oil combination and my skin looks and feels great.

Stress & grief cause my skin to breakout as well...I agree with the advice to meditate and release stored emotions. Check out Louise Hay's books on the subject if you haven't already. They're great and offer terrific affirmations to turn that around and heal.

Additional note: If the liver and colon are toxic it tends to show up in the skin. Eating raw foods corrects this over time and so does fasting, cleansing and juice fasting. I just completed Edgar Cayce's Three Day Apple Fast. It's fast, easy and effective. I love apples and so enjoyed it very much. I feel lighter, my skin looks better and I'm now more inclined to stick with eating plenty of greens, veggies, fruits and drinking plenty of water. Here's the fast if you want to check it out: http://www.astrodreamadvisor.com/Body_Apple_Fast.html Skip the boiling water advice though!

[RAWCA]

Coconutcutie, did you ever get around to trying the Master Cleanse? I would be interested in knowing the results:)

[Coconutcutie]

Hi, no have decided to postpone the MC for now. I've lost too much weight on raw already and I don't want to lose anymore right now or I will be positively skeletal....currently dabbling in juice fasting and also doing some colon cleansing as well as a liver flush (today, in fact!).....I did a liver flush about a year ago but am anticipating a more dramatic cleanse this time around. Will let you know how that goes

[yogashmoga]

hey coconutcutie,

i have struggled with cystic acne for over ten years. my acne, large pores and scarring have actually worsened since my raw transition (80% in jan, 100% over a month.) i am sure i am detoxing. i have notice, however, that my skin looks best when i test more alkaline. do you have pH testing strips? i test my urine and saliva morning and night. the slightest bit of fruit puts me in an acidic range, and stress/anxiety worsen the problem.

my skin was at it's VERY best when i was eating completely alkaline foods (but this included some cooked grains and fish, so the lifestyle had variety.) i'm interested in seeing how your skin continues to fare on raw. best of luck!

[Eva]

If you're open to doing something "different" in the Western world -- you may want to think of researching urine therapy. Feel free to email me if you have any questions -- I tried it for a couple weeks, and it was no big deal. And it's free. Haha

http://www.lifepositive.com/Body/traditional-therapies/urine-therapy.asp
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/Urine_Therapy.htm
http://biomedx.com/urine/

[Mary Kay]

CoconutCutie,

Whatever became of you and your skin issues? You certainly have been through the mill!

I was thinking about progesterone for you, and have also heard of others using a Young Living product on their faces called Progessence.

You still around?

Mary Kay

[babeak]

No one has mentioned stress. I used to be under immense stress and any make up gave me some really bad breakouts. Seems like you are stressing about skin, but anything else in your life...relationships, career, actual job. Sounds like you are addressing the nutrition aspect, but maybe it is other factors.

Do you exercise?

Just some more ideas...HTH or something else does soon

[EZ rider]

CoconutCutie, Whatever became of you and your skin issues?
In her last post http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?p=521079#post521079 she says she is glad that is a thing of the past.