Fading Acne Scars & My ACTH Stimulation Test

 So lately I have been feeling extremely tired and sleeping more often. I also have been still getting the dizzy spells. I called my endo and she suspected that I might need to get back on Steroids so she scheduled me for a ACTH and adrenal stimulation test. The test was about an hour long. At first the nurse attached an IV to me and drew blood from me. Then she injected me with some synthetic ACTH medicine to stimulate the production of cortisol. Sorry I am not sure what the medicine is called. Then I had another blood draw at 30 mins. Then another blood draw at 60 mins. The results came in and  just like what we suspected, my cortisol levels are still very low. My baseline cortisol was 8. When I was stimulated with the meds it only increased to 12. And in 60 mins it went back down again. My doctor explained that it should have been stimulated to atleast double or triple the amount to function like the average person. This is all really confusing information So I will put down a web explanation but basically I am back to supplementing steroids again. I didn't pass the test with flying colors but I am making something!

HOW I FADE MY ACNE SCARS
If you have had acne, you would know how hard it is to face the world with blemishes on your face. Especially for those who suffer from cystic acne like I did. Since the surgery, the breakouts have subsided slowly but what is left is just as bad. Acne scars.. The acne scars are allover my face. I have all kinds from the red scars, purple, brown to the bumps, keloids, and ice pick scars. There's so many scar names but I pretty much had it all. So even though I no longer had active acne, I still would hide my face from the world and have to wear heavy makeup to disguise all the scars. Like if you looked at me in the sunlight, you would see all these little holes and bumps on my skin and it looked so bad. I was very insecure about it, I would even wear foundation around the house with my family members. I did not think that I would ever be able to show my bare face ever again.

Well the past few months I have been testing different ways and products to help with the scarring. Some worked a bit and some was useless. So I researched acne scar solutions and found a good Diy recipe that has helped my acne scarring fade tremendously. I mix these ingredients and slather in on my face for 20mins every night. Here is the recipe:

Burning face mask Ingredients I don't use the nutmeg (the name is scary but it tingles)

Use honey as the base and add a squeeze of lemon and sprinkle cinnamon (I don't use nutmeg)

Burning face mask with the girls and yogurt face mask (alternate days)

The results for the mask has been very positive. My skin has been improving weekly. A few weeks ago I was at my local store and saw that this cream was on sale so on a whim I decided to purchase it. It is called Garnier Skin Renew dark spot corrector. I decided to try it out. And WOW it just heightened the acne fading so much quicker. I instantly saw results and last night my boyfriend and little sister told me that my skin looked so clear and bright. My boyfriend told me I should forgo foundation all together. I am so thrilled to get these skin compliments!! So remember that new scars fade faster than really old scars so you have to be consistent and patient. So this is the cream I am talking about and I will put some progress pictures here:

^I prefer the cream 

My Cystic Acne From Cushing's Syndrome in 2013 ='(

no makeup!! >.<

#NoFilter Wearing face powder and eye makeup >.^

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. This was what worked for me. Everyone has different skin and will react differently to products and ingredients. Test your skin to make sure you are not allergic.

My SEVERE CYSTIC ACNE video

Hello guys I made a quick video of my acne journey. I cringe when I looked at my "during" pics bare face. Honestly I still am having anxiety posting this up as it is a very personal issue for me but on my quest to become a brave courageous person I am going to be bold with whatever I do. I need to step out of my comfort zone and live out of my bubble and it will start with this video.  I always had a few pimples here and there. I controlled it with Benzoyl peroxide which cleared up my skin 97% . During Cushing's the acne morphed into sever cystic acne. I had boils all over my face and neck and not one part of my face was clear. Every morning I woke up and cried in the mirror and every night I would sob washing off all the caked up makeup off my face. I became very self conscious about my looks. I never knew I placed so much self worth into my looks until I looked so disfigured by Cushings.

I use to model and do pageants and so having Cushing's basically made a devastating impact. When I started to get the breakouts I tried every herbal remedy there was to try to fix my skin but of course hypercortilism won the battle. and I soon gave up on my looks. After surgery my skin stopped breaking out around month 5 but I was left with dried out cysts under the skin which would turn into deep scarring. The doctors said I need to peel off the layers to get rid of the scarring.. So I went to the dermatologist and they prescribed me low tane and Retin-A. Now my skin is pretty much flat and smooth however I still have scarring that needs to be healed. I hope in time I can get back my clear skin. As a vow of overcoming my anxiety I will start  being social again and putting myself out there in life. There is  more to life to see and do than to be stuck in my little bubble being depressed that I have a pimple. I am thankful to have experienced the lowest point in my life. I can only appreciate life more today. If you are suffering from Acne please go see a doctor to make sure the inside of you is okay then a dermatologist and see what treatment they think will work best for you. Good luck and good skin!