The Age of Skin Liberation - Topical Steroid Withdrawal : September 2017

Hey you,

Glad to report and let you know that my skin is currently in the best shape of the entire withdrawal process. For roughly the past three months I've been living life like Tip Top Magoo! (:

Not 100% over the line yet, though. Got a few spots here and there that still need to smooth out such as my hands, feet, neck & face. Over the moon about my face being relatively and somewhat clearer during this break that I find myself in. I notice that if I do overexert myself my skin, mood and energy levels tend to suffer. For instance, by not getting enough rest/sleep (sleep has improved drastically for the record), partying with friends and eating foods containing gluten, dairy and sugar my TSW symptoms blow up and I fall back in to a flare.

I think the weather along with exercise has helped me massively during the summer months. I tan easily without irritation and I actually feel the sun's rays in a soothing, healing way if that makes sense?. Honestly, when I really think about it, I'd have to go way back to my teens for me to grasp about how much my skin felt comfortable in the warm, lovely sunshine. This is purely down to not being able to lay out or spent much time in the sun whilst using Corticosteroids, or as the condition of my body was during the early stages of withdrawal when everything seemed to make my symptoms worsen as I'm sure some of you can relate too.

But, with all that being said, who really knows what's going on with our bodies?. How can we be certain that it's not just all part of the healing cycle?. In a way we're all human Guinea pigs. More research is needed to determine what it is that is exactly going on during withdrawal. Is it all just really down to time?. Does random genetics and our own, unique immune systems play a part?. Is diet, exercise, our environment and the weather all factors?. So many questions, so little answers. Mind boggling is an understatement.

Back to the positive side of things, life has been great, guys. Even managed to go on a holiday/vacation to the USA at the end of July. Spent a week visiting friends in Seattle. I then headed south to California and met up with some fellow TSW buddies. The trip was medicine for the soul. I had an absolute blast!. The people were so friendly and welcoming. Some of the sights were stunning like South Whidbey State Park (Seattle) and the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco) to name but a few.

Even managed to stay/sleep in a dorm within a hostel with 21 other folk!. Talk about skin confidence!, ha ha.

So, that's pretty much where I am at, folks. 42 months deep now. Lets see how winter time fairs with the ol' skin. Winter will for sure be a big test and my next real test for more proof that fingers crossed, my recent environment and lifestyle changes will make it a step closer to skin salvation.

Below are some pictures from my trip across the pond.