Skin Update

I'm so happy to share this post with you! A couple of months ago, I wrote about my journey to finding a good dermatologist here in Taipei. I found a great doctor who helped clear up my skin after a few visits through oral and topical meds, and without any painful cortisone injection or extractions. I did not post a before and after photo at the time because my skin was so inflamed and the marks were still hideous. However, three months into the treatment and my skin has healed wonderfully.

I started going to Dr. Shih in early August and have been under his care since. My skin care regimen now is very basic. I  start off by cleansing with Cerave Foaming Cleanser, which I think does a better job than Cetaphil especially if you're on the combi or oily side.

After cleansing, I pat my skin dry and wait for a few minutes before applying Clindamycin gel (green container from the photo below) from Dr. Shih's clinic. I wait for 30 minutes until my skin 'drinks' up the gel and then apply sunscreen (I use La Roche Posay Anthelios, in case you're wondering) before going to work in the morning.

At night I do the same thing sans sunscreen, but with the addition of 2 topical ointments (blue containers)- Adapalene gel and Azelaic Acid cream, also from the clinic. I scoop a pea-sized amount of both ointments and mix them together. I apply the mixture thinly to my whole face. There's a slight tingling sensation and some itchiness from the cream, but I was told it's a normal reaction that should go away after a few minutes.  (Skin problems are covered by our health insurance. I only pay around NT$150/Php225 each visit which includes consultation and meds.)

I no longer tone and I would sometimes skip moisturizing unless my skin is itchy and dry from the treatment. I was advised not to use moisturizer because my pores might get clogged again, but if there's a need to moisturize, the doctor suggests putting a very thin layer. I ran out of Physiogel Moisturizing Cream which I bought in Manila last time so I'm currently using Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for combination skin. It goes on light and is non-comedogenic.

After 3 months, I'm happy to show you the progress (ackk so embarrassing to post the before photo!!!). The August photo was a lot less severe than what my skin looked like in June-July (imagine big painful spots on both cheeks). I thought I'd be needing laser therapy to lighten the scars, but I think the creams are doing a great job- slowly, but surely.

For Taiwan-based readers, I posted below the details of Dr. Shih Po-Yu. I'm not paid to do this, but I feel like I have to share this information because Dr. Shih has been sooo sooo helpful. I received some messages from my contact box about some of my Taipei series posts. Some readers sent thank you notes for sharing my experiences (especially the yoga studio review). I'm happy that I get to help people through this blog. I'm encouraged to write even more :)

Dermatalogist's Name: 石博宇醫師 Dr. Shih Po-Yu
Clinic: Po Shun United Clinic 保順聯合診所
Address: No. 5 Zheng Yi North Road, Sanchong District, New Taipei City 新北市三重區正義北路五號
Contact Num: 02-29710719,  02-29855630
Website: http://poshunclinic.com/index.php
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/poshunclinic.tw/