WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
We are constantly redefining our own perspectives, and therefore tend to write a lot about our personal experiences. Many followers and contributors are living with anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder, depression, and a variety of other body image disorders or mental illnesses, so please be respectful and remember that health applies differently to everyone. Any and all potentially triggering content will be prefaced with a trigger warning.
RBI supports all races, genders, classes, and sizes. We try our best to make this a safe space for everyone. If we are not doing our job or checking our privilege, we invite you to please inform us.
Some of the artwork you see here has been created by our founder or moderators, some sourced when applicable. Please be kind enough to source this blog whenever you share it's content.
We are not health professionals. Any and all advice provided on this blog is supported only by our own research, studies, and personal experiences; nothing more.
This blog is part of the Safe Space Network.
I really wish they made a makeup remover for people with psoriasis. Everything I’ve ever tried (even if it claims to be for sensitive ski) burns so bad. Somebody should get working on that!
I don’t have psoriasis, but I do have seb dermatitis and it gets really bad on my face sometimes. Lots of products are too harsh for me. I saw a review on xoJane about these products and they looked nice, so I bought this:
http://www.mariobadescu.com/chamomile-cleansing-lotion
I’ve only used it a couple of days so far but I really love it! I like to use a gentle cleanser first, then the toner, then moisturize. They also have this lovely thing:
http://www.mariobadescu.com/facial-spray-with-aloe-herbs-and-rosewater
Is is absolute heaven. Seriously, so soothing.
Anyway, something to consider if you haven’t already!
drug store make-up and prescription drugz are, evidently, my life force. no shame.
Am I the only crazy person who spends hours grooming and indulging in cheap cosmetics? OH WELL at least I look babely (although slightly bitchface) even when my skin is falling off to reveal raging red patches of fresh flesh on mah FACE.
some of my fave snaps from the full beauty project
Asked divorcingmydisorder
Yes I have! I’ve tried everything. I’ve been using head and shoulders intensive care for a while now and I think it’s just like…not even doing anything anymore. Sometimes if I switch it up or even try something I haven’t used in a while it will make a difference, though - may go back to trying it again. Thanks! <3
Autumn in Michigan is my absolute favorite. Time for pulling out the scarves, pulling on the leggings, wrapping up in coats and strapping on boots for some serious leaf-crunching Halloween bonfire escapades.
There’s only one bad aspect that comes with the shifting weather: my seb derm has come back in full swing, on par with (if not worse than) last year.
While I have a super thick head of hair and am generally not worried, I’ve noticed my hair falling out much more than usual tonight. I’m trying not to pick at it (I do it compulsively and it’s really hard for me to stop), but my scalp is literally COMING OFF so I kind of have to brush it out and try to hide it as best I can. It’s red, it’s painful, it’s exceedingly annoying. I’ve been picking too much and there are scabs and sores. My hair is either very dry and flaky for very greasy and flaky. There are flakes of skin all over my room that I don’t notice until I tidy. This is my fucking reality.
It’s getting to that point where my at-home treatments aren’t working anymore and I’m trying very hard to convince myself it’s worth it to put my faith in another dermatologist. I’ve gone to so many over the years for all my various chronic skin issues and have grown to distrust them, but I think it’s time I finally found a good one and stuck with treatment. I just can’t get around the distrust right now.
I don’t even fully understand where it comes from. My skin and my self image have a fucked history that I can’t even begin to dissect right now. Long story short: getting your hopes up that something will work only to have it fail over and over again while you’re left with your skin falling off or breaking out on a persistent basis is a hard thing to keep subjecting yourself to. I try not to get my hopes up, but sometimes I’ll come across something that actually works until it eventually STOPS working forever. And shit just keeps getting worse.
This all sounds pretty dismal and perhaps my thoughts are in a dismal place, but I think it’s more fueled by frustration than anything else. My body is hard to love. It is a good body, but when it fails me it is very hard to look past it to forgive it.
I wonder what it would be like not to have dermatillomania.
Maybe I would be a whole other person.
I have this. I didn’t know it had a name, I just know that I pick at my skin all day erryday forever.
For the record: I very much enjoy the person you are right now.
Side note: when I put all the skin conditions I have in a string of words, it sounds SO FUCKING EPIC:
dermatillomania, acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, and chronic cholinergic/dermatographic/pressure urticaria…BAM!
I have the same exact problem, although I haven’t given way to shaving. I pluck pluck pluck like crazy.
I think it’s the one aspect of my appearance that I still struggle with a lot. Some days I don’t give a fuck, other days all I worry about is whether or not anyone notices. Thankfully most of the hair is quite light, although coarse and itchy.
It does totally suck if you’re breaking out or your skin is already prone to sensitivity. Seems I am always red and inflamed or dealing with something on my face.
Anyway I feels you, Anon. I feels you. <3
(Made rebloggable by request.)
Asked Anonymous
This one! If you check the skin tags, you’ll see I post about it quite often.
But I’ll assume you’re looking for skin only, so I will point you to:
Click through to see more of the CONTROL set on flickr. I’ll be printing these images at 40 x 60 inches and displaying them during my thesis at the end of March.
Seeing a couple Crohnies on here talking about this stuff makes me insanely happy. It’s good to know there are people who actually do understand how awkward some situations can be if you aren’t prepared. And sometimes even if you are.
I have had Crohn’s since I was only 9 years old. I am 22 now. And I can say the disease has affected every part of my life, especially sex and relationships. The illness has made me feel as though I am unworthy of a relationship, because I am not normal, because I have a “gross” illness. A bathroom illness as some people call it. Having bowel problems can be really awkward in sexual situations, which is why I have very minimal amounts of those situations.
On top of that, I have had two major surgeries for the Crohn’s. And a minor one to repair an area that didn’t heal right. It left two huge scars on my lower stomach, as well as an awkward hole area pretty low that looks like an extra belly button. Super awkward to explain, but I am learning to live with the scars. They are becoming a major part of me. Almost everyone has scars of some kind, obvious or not. They aren’t gross to me anymore. They are stories to tell. Badges of honor.
I also have psoriasis, as some of you may know, is a very visible skin condition. I’ve had it since I was about 14. It has made me even more self conscious in sexual situations. Psoriasis tends to give me red, scaly patches all over my body, even in my pubic area. People kinda freak out about it. Seeing any abnormalities or red spots in the genital area is “gross” and “unhealthy”. It is only recently with the help of the body positivity movement here on tumblr that I was able to learn to share my body with people I trust. I am still very self conscious about a lot of things, but knowing there are others with these problems helps. It makes me realize that “normal” is different for everyone.
Letting yourself be controlled by awkward situations leaves you more alone than you can think, because you begin to hate yourself, because you aren’t normal. Being open about things like this breaks through the awkward barrier. Get the dirty part out of the way. Make sure that your lover/significant other is aware of all of these things, and can handle going through it with you.
I relate to this on so many levels.
And it’s true - being open about these things breaks through the awkward barrier. I’m so thankful I’ve found someone who understands my conditions, doesn’t judge me for them or stop at the “ick” factor.
While I don’t have Crohn’s or psoriasis, I have always had gastro issues and seborrheic dermatitis and acne and hives. I’m still not completely sure what, aside from diverticulosis, is wrong with my digestive system. Doctors have suspected IBS in the past but it seems more linked to stress/anxiety so who knows really.
I used to think I would never find love because of these things. That was really silly of me, although it kind of makes sense when you consider most people in my life were disgusted or put-off by my conditions - so what else could I deduce?
If I didn’t have my love with me now, helping me every step of the way, rubbing my tummy when it hurts and soothing my sore skin with kisses…I don’t know where I’d be right now.
Asked theelizziemcguire
Ha!!! I never knew that.
Asked mamadonttakemykodachrome
It’s most likely the case that when family members act this way, they’re honestly just trying to help. They see you actively hating your condition, they see how it effects you, and want to help you feel better, so to them, getting rid of the problem = feeling better.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that getting rid of the problem is never the solution because there’s no telling when/if it will come back. I was told my acne problems would fade once I grew out of them - and I did - but more conditions just rushed to take its place.
Best remain strong and roll with changes as much as your emotions will allow between the frustration and anger - try to attain a level of contentedness no matter what sprouts up, and you’ll be ready to battle whatever comes your way. Because nothing ever fully goes away.
That’s what I’ve learned, anyway.
Asked chubbymunster
Speaking from personal experience, I find it most likely that at his core, your dad is just trying to help - especially if you are outwardly showing frustration about your acne. But if you feel insulted, that must be coming from somewhere.
I was often told I was overreacting or “too sensitive” about everything, especially regarding my skin or my body. “Get over it”, “You’ll grow out of it”…there was no shortage of dismissive phrases thrown at me over the years.
If your father has ever been insulting or dismissive of your feelings towards your acne, that might be where that feeling is coming from. I really don’t know, I hope I’ve helped? >_< Perhaps have a chat with him about it, see what transpires.