I just remembered that I did one of those 3 months ago, and since my 6 month anniversary is tomorrow, I thought I'd do another update. Dose: 250mg IM every 2 weeks, changed to every 3 weeks a month ago and will be starting with Nebido at the end of the month.
voice: My voice pretty much passes as (teen) male now! I don't really get misgendered anymore (at least so far, which might have been luck), but I don't really pass for my actual age either.
body hair: it's everywhere lol. Pre T, I could grow visible hair on my lower arms and legs plus a barely visible stomach trail. Now I've got leg hair on my entire legs, stomach hair, and some hair on my chest, shoulders and back. Facial hair progress hasn't gotten any further than the famous dirt stache & some light chin hair, but I'll take what I can get, especially this early on!
body shape: My neck has gotten wider and my hands are more masculine (veins / tendons more visible). The hands are honestly my biggest reason for gender euphoria rn, I've always liked my hands and i love looking at them now!
I also feel like my waist has gotten wider but can't really tell bc I didn't take many shirtless pics pre T.
Unfortunately, my hormonal acne which was already pretty bad at 3 months, continued to get worse and led to some other health issues that I'm still dealing with. I'm on accutane and it has helped somewhat, but I'll definitely keep scars forever and the acne does impact my life a fair amount. that being said, passing as a guy and feeling happy with everything else about my body makes the pain worth it.
[For anyone less far along in their transition, don't worry too much about the acne thing though. my case is very severe, most people do NOT get it as bad as I did !!]

I have been weaning off 5mg for about a month.. I have had some of the worst acne in years. it's nodules, pustules and little white bumps. a lot on my chin and some on my cheeks. my chin is so scaly!
is this something you guys are dealing with? how long does it last? and what helped? I've cut down my skincare routine to bare bones (moisturizer, SPF and cleanser) so nothing else can trigger acne.

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well!
Recently I commented under a post about tips and tricks to improve physical appearance and it seems that a few people liked my advice, so I figured I could transform that one comment into a whole post so more people can have access to it.
I am a 26 year old Southern European girly, I have learned a few things here and there that I would I like to share with you. This is by no means a step by step guide, but rather a helping hand that can provide some support or advice. This is for everyone, younger girls and older girls, from everywhere and all walks of life. Take from this post what works for you, and leave the rest.
Small disclaimer, these are tips and tricks that have personally worked for me. I don't believe there is one way to look or feel good, rather this is more for girlies who feel a bit lost style wise and need some minor guidance. My focus is more on healthy rather than pretty, since I do believe that if you feel good on the inside, you will also feel good on the outside.
Enjoy, and please do let me know if you need any more specific advice/tips, I am happy to help!
***

Face

• Skin: Keep it simple, keep it consistent, keep it adapted to your skin needs. Consult with a dermatologist or just do your own research at home (that's what I did!). It took me a while to figure out the products that work for me and the routine. I won't recommend any specific products because each product works very differently. What works for me might not work for you even if we have the same skin type/concerns. My main issues are the occasional spot, big pores and dull skin.
  
  • Night Time: I do a double cleanse at night (oil followed by water cleanser), use retinol, and moisturiser. Vaseline is a game changer if you have any dry or irritations spots on your face. My under eye area is very sensitive and irritates easily with products, and Vaseline is the only thing that works. Also apply Vaseline on your lips before bedtime, you will have the softest lips when you wake up.
  • Morning Time: I don't cleanse my face in the morning because otherwise it would get very dry. I wash with cold water, then Vitamin C serum, moisturizer (I love the Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume), and a generous amount of SPF.
  • One thing I recommend a lot, is that if a product works well on your skin, you should stop using it after a few months to make sure your face doesn't get used to it and decreases its efficiency. I rotate between 2-3 products, and switch them whenever I finish a product.
• Teeth: Brush twice a day and floss daily. Trust me on this. Flossing is a game changer to make your teeth healthier and whiter. I won't recommend any whitening products because I don't use them as my teeth are very sensitive. But if possible try to schedule an appointment with an hygienist once a year to get your teeth cleaned and remove any buildup. This is super important. And remember that healthy teeth >>> white teeth.
  
• Eyes/Eyebrow
  
  • If you want to add an extra step to your routine, I recommend getting a lashlift, it lasts around 8 weeks, looks very natural and elegant, and make your eyes pop. You have smaller eyes (like I do), I really recommend this. You can also ask to do a lash tint so your lashes appear even longer. When you do go to a salon do make sure that it has good reviews (ie hygiene), and also make sure that they test all the products on your hand beforehand, so you don't have an allergic reaction in your eyes.
  • Getting your eyebrows done is definitely a game changer. I don't do any permanent or semi permanent treatments, other than getting my brows professionally plucked.
• Makeup: I like simple makeup (with the main reason being that I don't know how to do more complicated makeup). The good thing about simple makeup is that everyone looks good with it, and really gives you a confidence boost. I use a skin tint (MAC has a nice one, and Maybelline too) that gives the skin a bit of a glow with some concealer under the eyes and to hide spots. I like adding bit of blush (Rare Beauty is quite nice), some mascara, a bit of eyebrow gel (from Benefit Cosmetics), and a clear lip oil (I really like the Clarins one).
  
  • If I am going out, I do the same routine but I make it more intense. For example, I use a darker blush on my cheeks (MAC Swiss Chocolate), a dark brown lip liner as lipstick with the lip oil, and I also use a bit of shimmer on my eyelids to make them pop (I have very dark brown eyes). I will also use a setting spray in between steps along with setting powder to make it last longer.

Body

• Regarding getting fit, there is no easy way out. It will take months of consistently working out and following specific food regimens. If you can, I would advise getting a personal trainenutritionist to at least get you started on a meal and exercise plan. Having a healthy, and strong body will make you feel so confident and good.
• I would recommend getting a blood test to check on your vitals and make sure you don't have any deficiencies (regarding vitamins or hormones). Taking supplements can really boost your energy and improve your health. Magnesium with Vitamin D is great and has a lot of benefits, but please check with a doctor first.
• Some things help a lot with body confidence like getting your nails done (hands and feet!). Trust me. Get a simple semi permanent gel polish in milky white on both your hands and feet, it looks super natural, lasts for weeks, and makes your hands and feet look amazing and fresh.
• Body care: I recommend using a body brush when you shower, it will make your skin feel really smooth, and you suffer from body acne it will help. Tip: don't keep in the shower and clean your brush regularly, so bacteria doesn't accumulate, and cause issues. After the shower, I like using the Ordinary Glycolic Acid toner on my body, followed by a body oil (I recommend Bio Oil). It makes my skin look amazing, soft and minimises stretch marks, scars and hyperpigmentation. When I go out, I like using Nuxe Or to make things a bit more extra. I like being shiny. I also like using a body moisturiser on my elbows, feet, knees where the skin can get a bit more dry.
• For hair removal, I get laser done since it's quite cheap where I'm from. We Southern Europeans are very very very hairy. It honestly has been a game changer. I know it's not available to a lot of people but it's something that does work really well, specially if you have fair skin and dark hair.

Hair

• I have wavy hair, so this advice will not be useful to a lot of people. I thing hair with layers looks great, and I have my hair cut with long bangs and layers since I was 15 years old. I recently got a big chop, right above my shoulders and I am embracing my natural hair colour. I kept the layers and I think it makes easy to style and maintain.
• I recommend getting a haircut every 3 months, just the tips to keep it healthy. I also use Argan oil on my hair tips, and rosemary water on my scalp before I wash it. My washing routine is very standard otherwise with a shampoo that focused on scalp care. I do a hair mask once a week, and don't use any conditioner because it doesn't work for me at all.
• I don't use any heat except hairdryer. If I want to give it a bit of more volume I use a round brush and some curling rolls to style it and make my waves more... wavy I suppose.

Style

• Find clothes that fit you well, and more importantly that you feel confident in. You don't need to wait until you have your 'perfect' body. Get clothes that suit your body type, your complexion. There are some threads on Reddit that I think can help with that.
• I like going on Pinterest and look for outfit inspiration. I also follow a few instagram accounts that focus on creating different outfits, and they even link the items. I use this less to buy new things but more to see if I can use items I already own and style them differently.
• I am very much a basics girl, I think nothing looks better than a well fitting blouse/top with straight jeans and either sneakers/ankle boots. T-shirt/jeans combo is honestly a classic that looks good on everyone as long as the clothes fit well. I don't usually follow a lot of trends because they don't really work for me. I think it's important to keep basics in your closet that will always be in style. Think basic t-shirts, long and short sleeved (in white, black, grey), some form fitting, other loose. Get some straight jeans in different washes. You can create so many different outfits, and it works for both the day and night time. When I go out for drinks, I use a white tight t-shirt and some dark blue jeans with ankle boots. It's simple but it works! Trust me ;)
• Jewellery: I re-use the same jewellery every day. And if you want to start wearing more, try getting some good quality but affordable pieces that always look good and you can use during the day and night. Think some small silver hoops, or gold, maybe a small ear cuff, and a simple necklace. I like using rings on my index fingers, they are quite simple, but look elegant, specially with the milky white nails.

Hope this helps! I might add some edits here and there as I remember more things!

I’m sorry, but I don’t really have the exact dates as to when I started being sugar-free and to when I broke it, but I did have sugar on Mother’s Day. Honestly, it wasn’t anything too crazy. I ate one of her gummy‘s, probably had about 4 g of added sugar in just one. Then we went to Chili’s and usually I avoid any sauces that I know have sugar in it like barbecue sauce or what have you but I decided to get some barbecue ribs and some chipotle crispers. I don’t really know what it was, but I was expecting a different type of reaction. I felt a tiny bit of uneasiness when I was going through the ribs, but it went away really fast. Kind of like that feeling that you get when you drink caffeine. That only lasted about 2 seconds though then i felt fine. I finished most of the ribs because the sauce wasn’t that sweet but the crispers started to taste weird and I don’t think this has anything to do with the sauce, but I only ended up eating one and a half of them. I had decided that I was going to try a milkshake after eating to see how my body was going to react because I didn’t feel like I ate enough sugar to really tell at that point, and I knew a lot of added sugar would be in a McDonald’s milkshake. However, by the time I dropped my mom off, I didn’t even want the milkshake. That is a lot coming from someone that used to eat a pint of ice cream every single day. I went home that same day and had some low sugar chocolate covered, pistachios, and my “sweet tooth” was satisfied. I say all this to say it might be bumpy in the road at the beginning for some of y’all, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will not be addicted to sugar forever. I don’t know if I’ll continue to be sugar-free every single day but I will definitely be doing it most of the time and it’s not because I’m making myself. It’s because it’s natural for me now. I crave savory foods more. I will allow myself now and then to have something sweet that I might want but my relationship with sweets has definitely strengthened. I don’t need it. Hope this helps someone.
As for physical benefits: - Face does look brighter and I do have a lot less pimples coming in. The pimples I am getting are coming around my nose area more. I haven’t made my mind to restrict any dairy or meat yet I’m gonna figure out what’s actually causing my acne and get rid of it that way because now I know for sure it’s not just sugar. - I have continued to lose weight, my digestion has improved. That could also contribute to the fact that I have been in a calorie deficit, doing intermittent fasting, and drinking more water. I recommend doing these things along with no eating added sugar for optimal weight loss results. I’m about 20 pounds down so far in two months. - my energy is still up - overall I just don’t feel so heavy, and life seems to be filled with more possibilities than ever before.
Overall, I seriously recommend it.

Four years back when I was 22, I started having PCOS symptoms like growing out stubby hairs in my neck, severe hair loss, oily and acne-prone skin, painful periods, bloating, insomnia. This is embarrassing (maybe a little TMI) but one weird other symptom was passing loud farts. I would have to make a little effort to let them out. I never had such a problem prior to having these PCOS symptoms. It took a while to even make the connection with PCOS. Whenever my PCOS flares up, it would be one of the first symptoms to come on. Past couple of months, all my PCOS symptoms got aggravated (my farts were loud too), periods got wonky and started having hunger issues. So last month I started taking Yasmin birth control pill and from the second or third day my farts were normal and no longer loud. I couldn't believe that it wasn't just me thinking and was actually related somehow. When I somewhat understand how the other symptoms happen including bloating, I still don't understand how does this particular thing happen. Does anybody else have or had this issue? Does anyone know why it happens, like how its related to PCOS? And anything to help not having this?

Since I have acne, I've been considering buying this product but I have a lot of questions about it
Can it be used by itself or do I have to apply a moisturizer? I've seen a lot of videos and read a few articles about it, but some say that I need a moisturizer after and some say that it can be used on its own.
If I use a salicylic acid cleanser can I use this afterwards? Or would it irritate my skin? I use the Cerave SA smoothing cleanser which my skin takes well, but I've heard from some that a combo of these two acids can be irritating.
If you have a darker skin colour like me, did it help areas with hyperpigmentation like acne scars? Or hyperpigmentation around lips? Or was the percentage too low for that?
Lastly, did it help with mild/moderate acne? I've also been told it can be a bit gritty, does this affect anything?

TLDR - will my doctors actually check if I am using birth control on Accutane?
Hi, i am about to start on accutane, but my Doctor has insisted that I begin birth control prior to my treatment. In the past, when i have been on birth control, i have had severe negative side effects. I am considering getting the prescription but not using it during my accutane treatment. Does anyone know if the blood tests I recieve during my treatment will verify that i am using birth control? I do not want kids, I have no risk of getting pregnant. Accutane is my last chance to combat some seriously debilitating acne, but the idea of going back on birth control for the purpose of covering the doctors liability has me seriously concerned. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hello everyone! I've been slowing gathering the products I need to really flesh out my skin cycling routine and get it going. Still a bit new to proper skincare, so any insight is helpful!
I've been told I need to add a toner to my routine by the woman who does my laser hair removal. She has really good advice but wasn't able to give me a clear product direction. I have combination skin with oily T zone & oily cheeks but normal on all other parts of my face. I have large sebaceous filaments on my cheeks and nose which is sort of my problem child as they get clogged really easily and produce a lot of oil. I'm not prone to acne or pimples, unless the random ones during menstruation.
My concerns are limiting the oil production and look of sebaceous filaments, aging/general longterm skin care
Do you add a toner to your skin cycling? If so, where? Have you had any success?
AM:

1. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
3. Sunscreen

PM Day 1 - Exfoliate

1. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
2. BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
3. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

PM Day 2 - Retinol

1. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
2. Tretinoin Rx (just got prescription for this so gonna start it soon!)
3. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

PM Day 3 - Recovery

1. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanse
2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Any suggestions to my routine is welcome - thank you.

42, started to get symptoms hardcore in Jan of this year (hot flashes, heavy flow, 10 lbs weight gain out of nowhere, breast pain). No thyroid so I am on medication for that (so my numbers are always in check). Stopped the spironolactone I was on for acne because didn't want to mess with my testosterone and I don't seem to need it anymore? Went on low dose progesterone-only birth control a month ago and started using estrogen cream a couple times per week (not daily). Does this seem like it will help? I change insurance in a month... so I can pursue online HRT or seek out a local specialist. Is what I am already doing enough? Should I try HRT? Should I try to get a regular estrogen/progesterone bcp? I know it is dependent on individual experiences- but what are all of your experiences? Looking to get ahead of everything before it is too late!

I am planning to buy Paula's choice 10% azelaic acid booster. Since it's expensive I wanted to know does it help in completely removing acne marks. I have heard that azelaic acid works fine for acne but not much effective on acne marks. If you have any other recommendations please give.
I have combination/oily skin with 1 or 2 acne breakouts every now and then which leaves noticeable marks and takes months to even fade. I also have uneven skin tone and rough texture.

I am planning to buy Paula's choice 10% azelaic acid booster. Since it's expensive I wanted to know does it help in completely removing acne marks. I have heard that azelaic acid works fine for acne but not much effective on acne marks. If you have any other recommendations please give.
I have combination/oily skin with 1 or 2 acne breakouts every now and then which leaves noticeable marks and takes months to even fade. I also have uneven skin tone and rough texture.

Does anyone know if the DERMA-E Scar Gel would work on HS scars? Or has anyone tried this before? I see promising reviews for some pretty severe scars, so I wonder if this could help HS scars too.
This is the link to it:
Amazon.com : DERMA-E Scar Gel – Scar Treatment for Face – Hydrating Scar Remover Gel for Acne Scars, Burns & Stretch Marks, Panthenol & Allantoin Scar Gel, 2 oz : Facial Spot Treatments : Beauty & Personal Care

Hello I am 26, 5'4 and now weigh around 170. I have been experiencing some symptons that fall in line with PCOS, my gyno thinks that I have PCOS and sent me to get an ultrasound but i'm not sure if these results indicate that I have it. For some context, I keep gaining weight (even when working out 2-3x a week and eating fairly healthy), I don't have irregular periods but have been experiencing some spotting the past few months as well as some pelvic discomfort. I have also gotten acne for the first time in my life over the past few months and dealing with patches of excessively dry skin. From the bloodwork I've gotten, i have high glucose levels (borderline pre-diabetic, according to doctor),and elevated tsh and prolactin.
The results from the ultrasound don't seem to mention any polycystic ovaries... does this mean i don't have PCOS?
TRANSABDOMINAL: Uterus: Measures 6.5 cmx3.5 cmx.3.8 cm. No focal myometrial abnormality.
TRANSVAGINAL: Endometrium: Measures0.8 cm. There is a subtle 0.8 cm area of decreasedechogenicity in the endometrium. Within this area, there is a stalk ofcolor Doppler flow that has an arterial waveform on spectral imaging.
Right ovary: Measures 3.4 cmx1.6 cmx2.7 cm; ovarian volume: 7.6 ml.Normal in size acoustic texture and echogenicity.
Left ovary: Measures 2.5 cmx1.0 cmx1.8 cm; ovarian volume: 2.3 ml. Normalin size acoustic texture and echogenicity.
Cul-de-sac: Trace free pelvic fluid is physiologic in volume.
Doppler exam: Both color and spectral Doppler imaging was performed.Waveform analysis shows normal arterial inflow and venous outflow in both ovaries.
Any help would be appreciated. I am really struggling to figure out what is going on with my body.

I had a hard lump on the inside of my labia majora kind of above my clitoris for about a month. It went away for a week. But is now back with some more beside my labia minora. I used to have a lot of cystic acne on my face. And that's what it kind of what it Feels like. a hard bump that hurts like crazy if you touch it. Also a week before my period a part of my labia minora got super swollen. It was totally hard and hurt a lot.
Does anybody know what this could be?
I went to the walk-in clinic last week. But I felt very uncomfortable. There was only a male doctor. I requested a referral to a gynecologist. But he refused if I wouldn't tell him something. So I told him the bare minimum. He just made me feel so uncomfortable. So I don't want to go back. But he did say being referred to a gynecologist could take months.
I've been trying to Google. it is honestly no help.

I’ve been on hrt for almost 3 months now and over the past couple weeks my acne is horrible. I have the worst pizza face I’ve ever had.
I’ve had acne before but it’s never been this bad. Is there any reason for this. Or has anyone else gone through this as well?
Does it get any better or worse?
Please help 🥲.
Edit: I’ve been steady taking estradiol for the three months and was taking spiro up until about a week ago when I had to quit taking it due to it causing my fingers and feet to swell.

I thought I would share my story here, because reading about everyone’s experiences has been so incredibly validating. So firstly; from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU everyone- in turn, I hope this helps someone, or that someone resonates with an experience, or adds to the collective consciousness of healing and realising that we deserve better. Because I need to believe that, I need to know this has been bad. I feel completely mental.
I’d like to start by saying this may not make sense and I’m a bit all over the shop rn and I apologise. And there are many, many things I could add to this that have added to the growing sadness and eggshell walking as the relationship went on, but I’ve tried to keep it small. I also want to say that you may be screaming at the screen wondering how I could be so stupid. And to that I say, me too. I am screaming at myself as well. As a 30-something year old woman, I acknowledge I was not the person I wanted to be in this situation. I wanted to be stronger.
I’m currently a couple of weeks out of my break up (or break up attempt 1 as I should probably put it, I’m still sending angry texts, receiving proclamations of love, wondering what if). I was with my nex (narcissistic ex) for nearly 7 years. We were meant to be getting married a week ago. For the last six months, my intuition had been telling me that a “friendship” he had with a coworker wasn’t right. This coworker was going through some stuff, and leant heavily on nex probably because he portrayed himself as a powerhouse at work who said whatever was on his mind and was always, always, always always right (newsflash he wasn’t). Nex has a saviour complex x1000 that I’d never let myself really think too hard about so he went hardcore “supporting her” and I sat on the sidelines thinking she needed that support. I won’t say anything about this girl but she’s not a girl’s girl. She’s a pick me. It kind of felt to me like- of course he’s not going to choose her, why would I worry about it. It’s too OBVIOUS. Like of course not? Look what we have.
Before this and during, Nex and I were planning on buying a house and were getting married (I was doing all the house saving, he had no idea about money but pretended he did, spent impulsively but was on a great salary, and I was doing all the wedding planning) and were planning on having a baby next year-ish. I had reached a point in my career that I was finally happy with, a career he said many shitty things about over our time together but it was the first thing he mentioned when talking to others and trying to impress. He had proposed at year 4 of the relationship (he always said he wouldn’t propose before 3 years because that’s how long his longest relationship was with his ex who he also cheated on). Red flag that yet again I ignored because I was different and this was different and I could change him and blah fucking blah.
Our relationship looked perfect. It really fucking did. I thought it was for a long time. I refused to think it wouldn’t be forever and wasn’t written in the stars. Behind the scenes, now I look back(ish) I realise I was struggling. I had raging PMS each month, often had depressive episodes that he would virtually ignore. I often struggled to watch movies where women had kind, funny and non reactive partners, I secretly envied my friends and their partners because they wouldn’t have to worry about what came out of their partner’s or their mouth next, or who their partner would fight with in the room, or how I would handle a public put down if he was in that mood or if I wasn’t handling myself perfectly. I walked on eggshells for years. I took his self aggrandising every day after work or sport as healthy self confidence. I was being slowly removed from my family as he argued with each one. He bragged about me and I felt like his trophy which I took as love and it gave me a false confidence I’d never had before when I was with him. When I spoke about him my inner voice said ‘wow, he really does sound great.’ His sister would often look at me and I felt like she always wanted to ask if I was really okay but I never let her. I had supported nex through addiction to weed/alcohol/substances of every kind (something I struggled to do because they have never been on my radar, just uninterested, and I was the bad person for that, I was the ‘child’ who wouldn’t immerse herself in the wonderful world of drugs), countless interpersonal issues at work and with his family, trying to support all sides, I had organised every home we had lived in, I organised cooking, cleaning, fun weekends, it was my goal to get him the most thoughtful and lovely presents I could find whenever I could. It was like it was my goal to be a fabulous girlfriend. I’m really not trying to pretend I’m perfect, but I can say 100% honestly that I put all I could into making him feel loved. He used to call me a unicorn, I guess because I just did whatever he wanted. However, I felt like I was going to bed in tears more often than anyone should. I got to the point where I wouldn’t put eye cream on because I knew I was just going to cry it off. Every Sunday morning I got a bit triggered by our local coffee shop because I always felt like that was where we were trying to pick up the pieces emotionally after fighting the night before over absolutely anything. I found this taxing, because never had I had such a tumultuous relationship with anyone before and I was wondering wtf was happening. He, on the other hand, often said how much he enjoyed conflict and he loved the feeling of anger. He said it to everyone and I always laughed it off. He said he was so good at handling people and he charmed so well, as he is incredibly good looking. He had issues with everyone - his bosses, his friends, his coworkers, his neighbours. We were in couples counselling after I couldn’t be yelled at anymore, and he had told a friend of ours that it was for me and not for him. I chose not to believe he said that because this friend had had issues with him too and I thought it might’ve been an attempt from them of triangulation. I believe them now. I’m so sorry to that friend. Two of his friends sent me messages on seperate occasions asking me if I was okay, that I didn’t have to put up with this.
Something I am proud of is that I, often, when I felt strong, and my brain worked, didn’t play along with his ego without a fight. I DID play devils advocate for the other person when he had yet another interpersonal issue. I DID call out his dogmatism. I DID expect more from him, that he didn’t have to yell CUNT or WHORE every time something went mildly wrong. However, there are times when I didn’t. And it was because I was just fucking exhausted.
Two/three months ago, and after I found a deleted phone call from the other woman that he lied to my face about, I started watching his find my iPhone which we had turned on when I went overseas a couple of years earlier but I’d forgotten about. It felt gross doing, I didn’t want to, but I also tried to justify it to myself by saying it’s my future, damn it, let’s see if I really am being ridiculous. One early morning while it was still dark, I felt him kiss me and say he was going to the gym. An hour later I woke up with an EERIE AS FUCK feeling and checked FMI. He was at her address. I called him and he didn’t pick up. I watched his car drive on FMI back to the gym and he conveniently called. I asked where he had been and he immediately gaslit me, said he was at the gym, FACETIMED ME TO SHOW ME and said that he couldn’t do my “jealousy” anymore. I broke down and told him I knew he had been at hers through FMI. He then started crying and said he visited her to call the friendship off “the right way” and that he told her that he cared for her but he had to stop because I couldn’t take it anymore and was too jealous. I bought it, as he never ever cried. I apologised. But from then on, my body was full of anxiety and pain. Life was on autopilot.
This happened a few other times. I had a weird feeling one afternoon on a Saturday when he said he was at the gym and had to pop into work to do some printing (not unusual). On autopilot, unable to feel emotions and probably looking completely mental, I got in my car, drove to the workplace, and saw both their cars outside. As I turned the corner to drive away, realising it HAD to be over now, you stupid bitch Charlie0987 it HAD to be over, I immediately got a call from him explaining away, can’t even remember what he said now. It’s not what you think, we have some important work to do that she can’t do alone, you’re jealous, she’s (the other woman) is angry that you even think anything is going on. I ended up apologising that night. Yep. However, at that point I did call off the wedding. I thought the wedding stress and money (literally, me fucking planning it, most of MY money) was the problem. I thought if we just eloped, we’d be okay. Calling everyone to call off the wedding while pretending to them and myself that it was all okay was fucked. I have no other way to describe it than completely and utterly fucked. He was then nice for a few days. I was heartbroken I couldn’t have the wedding I has envisioned, I didn’t let myself think of the love that was crashing down around me. Everyone asked me how the wedding planning was going, every day it was someone new. I had to pretend it was all fine and that we cancelled for financial reasons. It was hell. I will never again ask someone planning a wedding how the wedding planning is going until they bring it up with me.
All through this, I was supporting my friend with a very rare form of cancer (it doesn’t feel real typing this out, feels like some kind of shitty movie). I remember crying about it once on the couch and he said that my crying annoyed him, and that what the other woman had gone through was bad too. He said he didn’t want to have sex with me because I was too skinny (I was depressed and not eating) and cried too much and because I didn’t exercise and he was attracted to people that exercised (fair enough, but also fuck you). Still, through all this, I loved him, tried to be what he had loved about me for six years (compassionate and quiet) and told myself it was okay and it was a rough patch.
All through this, our couples counsellor was saying my attachment issue and abandonment issues was what was a huge part of the problem and that males and females have friendships and I needed to gtfo it. Like every human being I’m sure I have had fears of abandonment, and I do acknowledge I have relied on the safe feeling of men in the past. However, I NOW don’t think it was the main issue here. I don’t blame this counsellor if I’m honest, he was eating what was being fed to him by nex. And I wanted to believe it too. I was willing to work on myself and I was trying to see my anxiety for what I thought, and what I was being told, it was. Nex told me regularly when I asked him not to yell at me that I just didn’t understand real men.
A couple of weeks before D Day, nex asked for space to “miss me”. I went to my family, pretended he’d gone on a trip so I wouldn’t get asked why I was there, tried to show up for work, tried to be strong. I slept next to my wedding dress, still boxed. Those weeks were probably the worst weeks of my life. I didn’t know where he was, didn’t know who he was with, but we were still together, I didn’t eat, got medication to sleep, mindlessly partook in my hobbies to try to do the right thing and be the person he loved. He treated me like I was an annoying fly and either didn’t reply to messages or sent a few and then nothing. After four days of me barely eating and sleeping and looking like an emaciated ghost, I asked if I could come home (I loved our rental, it was such a safe space for me with my garden and my animals). He replied basically fine, and then for the rest of the week I was chastised for not giving enough space and that it wasn’t proper space. Couples counsellor agreed with him. A week later I said fuck it and went again, feeling a bit stronger this time. On day 3, I felt sick all day. I had a nap in the afternoon and felt dread. I had received no messages, but I messaged that I loved him that night. He love hearted it. I found out later he had been with her all day, but don’t worry, it was for a good reason he said. Intuition yet again picked that one up.
The next morning I got up, packed, and went home as it was our agreed upon day that I’d return. I said to him this is actually it, I can’t take this anymore. I am physically and mentally wrecked. It’s been six years. You’re a big boy. You’re either in it or you’re not. It was a big conversation, and we agreed that we would be in it together, the relationship was worth saving, and I would step back and agree to believe in his supportive friendship with this girl and no longer worry. He also agreed to tell me if he didn’t want to be together anymore, or if anything came up regarding this relationship with the girl. We set a date to elope for end of year. He went to the gym, and I remember saying to him I was so happy we’re choosing us. He kissed me and said me too. I felt elated and safe. I then re packed my bag, as I was taking my friend to her first cancer treatment the day after.
When he got back from the gym, he went to the shower. Now we had agreed with the couples counsellor not to check each others phones for a while. I had been okay with it, and didn’t have an issue leaving his phone. But once he got into the shower, my intuition, my chest, my body, SCREAMED at me to check his notes in his phone for the first time in weeks. I went into notes and found a text drafted to the other woman. It said something along the lines of “X and I have agreed to a break when she takes her friend to cancer treatment. I told her I wasn’t sexually attracted to her anymore but I was to you. I’m feeling so over it now she’s home, I want more space” plus some other awful stuff that I’ve buried down and can’t quite remember. At no point, ever, did we agree to a break. I dropped his phone, went into the bathroom, and told him I was leaving. I can’t remember much of the next few moments. I do remember he turned it on me for looking at his phone, then him crying. I remember screaming, screaming screaming at him. I had raised my voice hardly ever in our entire relationship so I can imagine that was a moment for him. But I just screamed. I asked if he was planning on trying to sleep with her when I was with my friend for radiation. He nodded. He blocked me from the door to “talk” and tried to grab me into a hug. I screamed and screamed. I put (the most random shit btw, a dress, some acne cream, a book??) some things into a bag and I got into the car, howling. And I sat there a moment and I STILL WONDERED IF I SHOULD LEAVE.
I STILL WONDERED IF I SHOULD LEAVE.
And I did. I drove away from our beautiful little secluded rental that I had poured my love into and was hoping to raise a baby in. I knew I couldn’t afford the rent alone but he can even with his pathetic spending habits and I can’t live in the place of our memories. I went to my family and fell apart. I’m not going to disclose further about my mental state or what happened but I got sent to be with other family for a couple of weeks in another state. He has been messaging me ever since. Promises of change, of moving away, of starting again, of selling a property that he bought before us and has sat doing nothing our entire relationship and was the reason we couldn’t buy our home, (frustrating that he reaps the reward of that now), saying he has blocked this other woman from his life (he still works with her and I refuse to believe he hasn’t had ongoing contact). Oh and on the day I drove to be with my family in another state, the universe decided to let my car meet her car, with him in it, at an intersection. He crouched down like the coward he is. She looked like a stunned mullet. I waved at her. I was hysterical. Can’t even remember it fully but I remember the feeling. That’s the love of my life in there with another woman. It. Was. Fucking. Hell. On. Earth. I still can’t believe that happened. What were actually the odds of that happening?
I’ve gone through so much anger towards her but I KNOW it’s misdirected. I’m slowly moving towards anger towards him. I haven’t messaged her telling her how my life has been destroyed and I won’t. I think she will thrive on it and she has a young kid who my heart bleeds for. And I have so much anger towards the series of events that had to happen in the first place and what feels like the wasted last 7 years of the best years of my life. I miss my home and my non-existent child and I miss arms around me. I miss him when he was nice. I hate that I don’t have what everyone else around me seems to have at this age, what I want so desperately. Please, please let me know I can get through this. Let me know I can’t go back. Please tell me this is abuse and it won’t get better because I am struggling to believe it. I’m also super fragile right now so if you want to say anything mean, just hold it for now and bring it to me later.
Love to you all. X

So I have had pimples/acne since I was like 15, around 8 years now. I havent ever been diagnosed with acne and fortunately I dont have cystic acne or anything like that.
I want a girl, but I dont want to go on a date because of my pimples.
I am sick of feeling trapped by my skin, its so not fair - I always think positively about my skin that one day I will have perfect korean skin, but as hard as I try... it never comes.
I have tried literally EVERYTHING under the sun, that is natural or an easily accessible topical, and have forever avoided pharmaceutical drugs, however I am so sick of it, I almost dont care for the consequences of them anymore.
I havent tried many prescription topicals, only 1 and it made my skin burn like crazy.
I have combination skin and its sooooo sensitive its no joke.
Anything you can think of when it comes to diet and lifestyle, I have tried.
I currently am living such a strict diet/lifestyle, for 2 months and right now I am having one of the worst breakouts on my neck and jawline I have ever seen,
For the last 1.5 years, I have hardly eaten any dairy, milk, bready products - try avoid gluten.
I work out almost every day, go for a walk every day, I work from home and my business does well so I don't stress about money, I drink 3-4L of water a day. I never ever ever drink anything else other than water, I refuse.
Right now my diet is less than 20 ingredients (and it has been this way for 2 months)
chicken, turkey, rice, potato, capsicum, onion, garlic, grapes, mandarin, egg, egg whites, salt, virgin olive oil (expensive as possible)
I kid you not, this is what I have eaten for 2 months while working out almost every day, walking every day, getting some sun almost every day, drinking 3-4l of water per day.

• btw I tried eliminating eggs, that didnt do anything. so i bought them back because of the good macros

As for my skincare routine, I wash my face morning and night, and moisturize after.
Once a week I do a nose pore strip and a hydrating facial mask - which admittedly irritates my skin a little but never breaks out after, always looks much more hydrated and tight the next day or two - so I keep doing it.
This is getting beyond a joke, I have tried so many different things.
PLEASE send any recommendations
I did check out another thread and it mentioned searching my moisturizer on a comedogenic ingredient finder, which I did for mine and it has Myristyl so I am ordering the highest recommended moisturizer on the forum to try that: La roche posay toleriane double repair uv spf 30
Any help would be so so so appreciated.
I am against the prescription drugs like accutane, roaccutane - idek if thats how you spell them, but still send them in anyway + your experience because im getting to the point i might consider it.
THIS IS BEYOND A JOKE.
Edit: I wanted to add that I wash my pillow cases weekly, my sheets bi-weekly. I never ever touch my face without washing my hands, and I do not subconsciously touch it while working either (this took me months of practice to get right)
Based on some further research since I am only getting the bad stuff on my jawline and neck, it could be due to my skin’s oil glands reacting to hormone fluctuations - with recommendations of oral pills to be taken for this - I did find Spironolactone in another thread, however this blocks testosterone production which I do not want as it is an anti-androgen.

Hi everyone, I took accutane for a bout a year and it worked wonders in clearing my acne. However now and for a long time while I was on it I am very self conscious of my red face. Does this look like rosacea or facial redness that may go away?? Anything helps thanks :)

hello! i will be travelling to seoul next month and intend to do some facial procedures. would like to know what clinic i should do my procedures at.
i have acne scars (ice pick) so i would like to do lasers to help with the scarring. does anyone know if rejuran will be recommended for pitted/rolling acne scarring?
i would also want to do some nose fillers or nose threads. and maybe chin filler
i have shortlisted some clinics: ppeum, LV plastic surgery, me gangnam
ppeum seems to be most foreigner friendly, and has clear pricing on the website. but saw some reviews about them not doing the numbing cream properly. they seem to be "elevated" factory clinics? and use translator staff for consultation rather than speaking directly to the doctor.
LV plastic surgery seems more specialised for juvelook or rejuran and im not sure if they offer other types of services like lasers or fillers. heard that the doctor speaks english so thats a major plus for me (going through a translator seems more likely for miscommunication).
me gangnam was recommended on tiktok but i dont see much videos or reviews. the website is not that foreigner friendly as well.
if anyone who is familiar with this topic please help to recommend a clinic, or leave any reviews/comments on these clinics 😊 thank you

https://www.reddit.com/BinIchDasArschloch/s/0wS0sm5cLJ

TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN AITA

"AITA because I have informed someone about side effects?
I (25f) yesterday went out with a friend (26f) and her sister (22f) for coffee. I don't really know my friend's sister and have only seen her 2x so far.
The sister then said at some point that she had to briefly go to the pharmacy to get her prescription. And then she proudly said that she has finally been prescribed meds for her acne.
I perked up, I myself completed my treatment with isotretinoin a few months ago.
She was totally excited and was very happy. Also about the fact that she got the drug, even though her acne is not so bad (her words).
Long story short: At some point we came to talk about the side effects. The sister said that it can't be that bad. Finally beautiful skin.
I then corrected her and said that the drug does not suddenly make you beautiful skin and you have to really go through the side effects first. (she also has the same dosage as me)
She didn't want to believe me, because all meds have an endless list of side effects that never apply anyway.
I then showed her pictures of my skin in the first few weeks, scaly, peeling everywhere, painful. In addition, the constant nosebleeds, the sun sensitivity, the back and hip pain, the hair loss, the torn lips.. all really not great.
I also gave her a few products and tips that helped me a lot with the side effects.
Of course, the side effects are different for everyone, but I honestly find it somewhat critical that her dermatologist never really pointed them out? Also, that she may not get pregnant under any circumstances and basically has to commit to an abortion, for example. It was probably omitted to her (or she just overheard)
In the end, the sister angrily stormed off, saying I would make everything bad for her and just want to scare her.
I honestly didn't understand the world anymore - I wouldn't necessarily want to take medication like that now. If she is not sufficiently informed by her doctor, then at least by someone who had the same experience. Maybe she has no / slight side effects, then of course I am happy for her. But I would have liked someone to give me useful tips and recommend products.
My friend now thinks it was a bit unnecessary from me, but says her sister is also really sensitive.
I'm wondering now - AITA because I warned her about the side effects?"
again, I am NOT the original poster. I just found it and thought it was interesting, and translated it for yall. German is my first language.