Spearmint for Slowing Hair Growth

I have often heard positive things about using spearmint to slow down facial and body hair growth.  I wondered whether the claims were true, or if it was just another product hocked by the health-food and supplement industry to get us to spend our money.  Of course, when looking into a new product, I always check Amazon's Customer Reviews first.

First, I looked at spearmint tea.  I liked the reviews, so I decided to buy a box.  The tea was very good.  My plan was to drink 1 cup nightly before bed.  I'm not a big fan of hot beverages, particularly later in the day, so I did not stick with the tea for long.  I found myself forgetting to drink it, or just simply not wanting to bother with it.  In the end, I decided that the tea was not for me.

Then I found the spearmint capsules.  These were more my style.  I was able to simply swallow them and go on with my day.  Occasionally I took these on an empty stomach, which I do not recommend doing.  I burped up literal spearmint dust, and it was very unpleasant.  To avoid that, I just take the capsule with food or a good deal of water.  I did not notice any side effects at all, but that's not to say that there aren't any.  As with everything you put into your body, do your research.

Let's talk about my results.  Of course, since I didn't stick to the tea, I cannot offer you any real results.  But I can tell you what happened with the capsules.  I took them for two months.  Since I don't really have any excess facial hair, I decided to document my progress on my leg hair growth.  First, I took a photo of what the typical three days worth of hair growth looks like closeup (on the calf of my right leg).  Then after taking the spearmint capsules for two full months, I took another photo three days after shaving (again, on the calf of my right leg).  I was FLOORED.  I thought that I had "felt" less hairy, but I wasn't really sure as I shave my legs almost every day.  Letting the hair grow out and actually being able to see the proof in photographs was what really convinced me.  Here are the photos of my little experiment.  Both photos were taken of the same section of leg (right inner calf), and I tried my best to take them in the same spot at the same time of day (for similar lighting effects).  Please ignore the fact that my legs are SO white!  LOL  I don't get a lot of sun.

In conclusion, I think if you haven't yet tried spearmint to slow down your hair growth, you should probably give it a go.  No, it's not going to work for each and every person out there, but it's cheap enough to give it a try.


            

Birth Control & the Horrors of Cystic Acne

I had acne as a teenager.  Big surprise.  Most teenagers get acne.  I didn't really start breaking out until I was about 16, and at that point, my mom ordered me Proactiv.  It worked wonderfully!  My face was super-clear, and I had not an acne-worry in the world.  I used Proactiv for more than 10 years because "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

After I had my child I started taking the birth control pill, because I wasn't too keen on popping out more babies anytime soon.  I took the pill for about a year, and then stopped.  I wasn't try to conceive, and I was still using other methods of birth control, but I didn't want to deal with the hassle of the pill.  Shortly after stopping the pill, my face began to break out - BAD.  I wish I had pictures to show you just how awful it was, but at that time I was so self-conscious about the acne that I allowed no pictures to be taken of me at all!  The acne was primarily located on my cheeks and jawline.  The jawline was the most concentrated area.  My face was in constant pain.  More than once I was positive that I had a tooth or gum abscess because the pain in my jaw was so excruciating!  I remember telling my dentist once about my "tooth" pain only to find out (by x-ray) that the cause was not dental.  I spent hours trying multiple products, remedies, and supplements to help the acne and the horrible scarring it was leaving on my face!  I spent literally hundreds of dollars on more products than any one person should ever try.

Little did I know that the reason for my acne could be related to the birth control pill.  I stayed off the pill for two full years and suffered from this horrible, cystic acne the entire time!  When my doctor put me back on the pill, the acne improved drastically in a matter of months.  I was told that the acne would subside after I had been off the pill long enough for my body to adjust.  Well, that never happened.  In the two years I was off the pill, my body never adjusted.

Now that I've had time to reflect, I have been able to do some research about PCOS, the birth control pill, and how the two react to one another.  Many women have reported that their PCOS symptoms have improved with the birth control pill, but after stopping the pill, the symptoms have returned with a vengeance! Ah-ha!  Some women are lucky, though.  They can start the pill and stop the pill, and never really suffer any repercussions.  I wish I had known all this going in, because honestly, I would have never even started the pill.  I would have found another method of birth control from the beginning.  Because my body will never adjust now, I am pretty much stuck taking the pill indefinitely.  I wish I had it to do over, and I wish someone would have warned me.  If you don't absolutely have to take the pill, please don't start! 

Now, let me just share with you a list of things I tried for my cystic acne.  This is not a complete list; I am sure I am forgetting some, but it is everything I can remember using.  If only I could have that time (and that money) back!

SensiClear System
KlearAction System
Clearasil
Oxy Pads
Mama Lotion
M2 Skin System
Proactiv (Original)
Proactiv (Sensitive)
Avon Clearskin System
Avon Clearskin Professional System
AcneFree Kit (Original)
AcneFree Kit (Sensitive)
AcneFree Kit (Severe)
AcneFree (Terminator 10)
Equate Acne System
Clean & Clear Advantage
Yes to Tomatoes Acne Kit
Nature's Cure Papaya Skin Care System
Nature's Cure 2-Part Acne Treatment (Tablets for Females)
Nature's Cure 2-Part Acne Treatment (Tablets for Males)
Burt's Bees Acne Targeted Spot Treatment
Murad Vitamin C Products
Mario Badescu (Special Cleansing Lotion C)
Mario Badescu (Buffering Lotion)
Mario Badescu (Ance Facial Cleanser)
Mario Badescu (Drying Lotion)
Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash
Neutrogena Acne Therapy System
Mejier-Brand Acne System
Thylox Sulfur Soap
Desert Essence Cleanser
Prid Drawing Salve
African Black Soap
2% Pyrithione Zinc
Hydrocortisone Cream
Diaper Rash Ointment
Preparation H
BioOil
Noxzema
Biotin Supplements
Tea Tree Oil
Lemon Juice
Egg Whites
Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Aspirin (crushed with water and applied topically)
Toothpaste
Baking Soda
Apple Cider Vinegar
White Distilled Vinegar
Diluted Bleach
Witch Hazel
Chlorinated Water
Rubbing Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Aloe Vera
Rose Water
Tea, Black (applied topically)
Tea, Green (applied topically and taken internally)
Sunlight Exposure/Tanning

The Dangers of Biotin Overdose

If you have spent any time in a PCOS group on Facebook, you probably will have seen the term "Biotin" being thrown around.  Biotin is vitamin B7 (or also called Vitamin H).  It is used by people to grow hair quickly (or stop hair from falling out), reduce acne, and grow stronger, longer fingernails.  It is often recommended to those suffering from hair loss and acne due to PCOS.  I had heard about it a lot before I finally decided to take the plunge.  I had heard how it made your skin positively glow, and I wanted that effect, too!  So I bought a bottle of Biotin.  The Biotin I purchased had 1250mcg per pill, and I began to take one pill every morning.  I simply couldn't wait for my skin to glow, my hair to shine, and my nails to grow!  I was ecstatic!

Immediately after beginning the pills I began to get migraines, but it also coincided with the start of "Aunt Flow," so I determined the migraines were just regular hormonal headaches.  But "Aunt Flow" had ended and the headaches still persisted.  After about 1 week on the Biotin, I started to notice acne.  Bad acne.  Cystic acne like I haven't had in at least 2 years since starting the Spironolactone.  My face hurt badly, but I assumed that the "toxins" were working their way out through my pores and causing skin eruptions.  Two weeks after starting the Biotin, I noticed something very peculiar.  I was running my fingers through my hair, when I pulled out what looked like at least 15 hairs.  "That's certainly not normal," I thought.  I had an appointment to get my hair cut the following day.  When the beautician washed/combed my hair, she noted that I had a lot of hair loss for just a simple wash and recommended that I take some Biotin for it.  (Ironic?)  It was a few days later that I realized all these symptoms could be from the Biotin.

My doctor told me to stop the Biotin temporarily and see if it made any difference at all.  Immediately after stopping, the migraines were gone.  Hmmmm.  About 2-3 weeks after stopping, the acne started to clear up (though I have some pretty nasty scars I'm still working on).  Ahhhhh!  Then the hair loss!  It took over a month for the hair to stop falling out of my head!  It has started to grow back, and it's currently at that "omg-so-itchy" length that makes me scratch my head like I have lice!  *Shakes head*

So the doctor was right, as was my intuition.  Some people (albeit rare) can suffer from a Biotin overdose.  Not everyone has the same symptoms, either.  I have since done quite a bit of research on the effects (and side effects) of Biotin, and there are other unpleasant symptoms as well!  Some people have noted weight gain, increased appetite, higher blood sugar, and more stubborn insulin resistance!  WHAT?!?  As a woman with PCOS, those side effects are the very last thing I would possibly want! 

BIOTIN OD SIDE EFFECTS:
     - Headaches/Migraines
     - Acne or Skin Rash
     - Hair loss
     - Weight Gain
     - Increased Appetite
     - Raised Blood Sugar
     - Stubborn Insulin Resistance
     - Increased Thirst
     - Excessive Urination
     - Insomnia or Lack of Sleep
     - Diarrhea (Lovely!)
     - Eosinophilic Pleuropericardial Effusion (in extreme cases)

If you are looking to increase your Biotin naturally from foods (which is really how you should be getting your vitamins to begin with), there is a list of Biotin-rich foods that can help.  In fact, I regularly eat things from this list, so that's probably one of the reasons I overdosed on Biotin to begin with.  I never took into consideration all the foods I ate that already supplied me with Biotin!  I recommend getting your Biotin naturally when you can, and avoiding the supplement altogether if at all possible!

FOODS RICH IN BIOTIN:
     - Mushrooms
     - Tuna
     - Avocados
     - Salmon
     - Sunflower Seeds
     - Cheese
     - Peanut Butter
     - Cauliflower
     - Whole Wheat Bread
     - Sardines
     - Bananas
     - Soybeans
     - Beef
     - Yeast
     - Pork
     - Turkey
     - Egg Yolks
     - Organ Meats (Liver, Kidney, etc.)
     - Nuts (including nut milks)
     - Legumes
     - Milk
     - Chocolate (Um, YAY!)
     - Cereal
     - Carrots
     - Swiss Chard
     - Berries
     - Halibut

Chlorophyll for Keto Breath & Body Odors

For those of you who are eating low-carb or have ever done an Egg Fast, you may be familiar with the term "ketosis."  Ketosis is the state in which your body begins to burn fat.  For low-carbers, ketosis is "the place to be."  Because ketosis causes a breakdown of chemicals in your body, sometimes it can leave a nasty side effect - keto breath.  Keto breath is gross.  Imagine having morning breath.  All the time.  And at least 3x worse.  It's incredibly hard to get rid of keto breath.  You can brush, floss, gargle, and oil pull until you are blue in the face, but keto breath is one stubborn jerk.  As long as you are in ketosis, it will keep on comin' back!  Because the problem is internal, it's best to attack it internally.  Many people have reported using Chlorophyll as an internal deodorizer, and it WORKS!  Chlorophyll (if you remember your 1st or 2nd grade science class) is the stuff that makes plants green.  It comes in pill or liquid form.  It is used as an internal deodorant to treat not only keto breath, but also odors from sweat, gas, and shall we say "potty" odors.  It takes about 1-2 weeks to build up in your system completely, but from there on, it's smooth sailing.  The best thing about chlorophyll is that it is 100% natural.  You don't have to be in ketosis to use it, either!  Anyone can take chlorophyll!  People who sweat all time can use it.  People who love asparagus can use it!  People who live on garlic can use it!  Now, I will give you fair warning that it may turn your poo green for a while, so don't be too alarmed if that happens.  To avoid stomach upset, it's also best if you start with the lowest possible dose and work your way up. 

Now when someone accuses you of acting like your (*ahem*) stuff doesn't stink, you can cockily reply, "Nope! It sure doesn't!"  ;)

A Quick Note About Facial Hair Removal Methods

I do not have any official products or methods to review today, but I did want to share a few words of wisdom with all of you when it comes to removing facial hair.  I have heard people say that they tried a product, only to find out that they are allergic or sensitive to it.  In extreme cases, I've heard people say that the hair growth became worse - coarser, thicker, or darker.  To all of you who try facial hair removal methods - PLEASE test the ALL of the products/methods first on your legs!  I cannot stress this enough!  If you break out in acne or a rash, or if the hair growth becomes worse (God forbid!) it is far better to have it happen to your legs than to your face.  Even if it is a product that I have used and recommended myself, everyone is different, and therefore everyone's hair is different.  It is also important to note that there are some hair removal methods (such as shaving and laser hair removal) that are notorious for making the hair grow back in thicker.  This is not always the case, and I've seen some people have laser hair removal done quite successfully.  Yes, it may cost a bit more to test on your legs first, but by doing this you will get a better idea of what your results will be and perhaps save yourself the pain and anguish of having any negative effects on your face.

Smoother Shaving with Natural Products

As someone with PCOS, I know firsthand what a hassle it can be to shave.  I have to shave my legs every single day if I don't want what my kid calls "pricklies."  If I shave my legs in the morning, come evening, they have a "5 o'clock shadow."  Icky.  It's depressing.  And tiring.  But what I hate more than the frequency of which I have to shave my legs, is the razor burn that I get from it.  I have tried Bikini Zone cream/gel for my legs.  While it does improve the razor burn, because I have to shave so often it can get quite costly.  It also has a strong chemical odor which I'm not very fond of. 

There are two natural remedies that I use that currently make my shaving process go a lot smoother (pun intended).  First of all, let me start by saying that you don't have to use the natural versions of these products, but I find that the natural versions keep my sensitive skin from reacting.  If you have sensitive skin, I suggest you also use natural products.  But I do understand that natural products are more costly, so if you can't afford them, just try to find "sensitive" or "fragrance-free" versions of the cheaper brands.  Some of the most common natural brands you will see are: Tom's of Maine, Burt's Bees, Gud, and JĀSÖN.  Heck, you could probably even make your own natural products if you feel up to it.  In the long run, you'll spend way less money if you make them yourself.  :)

First thing's first - your skin should be soft and moisturized.  There are many shaving gels and creams available for women that help to moisturize the skin when shaving.  I've never really cared for shaving creams, because I've never found one that I like enough and that doesn't hurt my wallet (remember, I have to shave my legs daily).   For the past seven years I've been using conditioner to shave my legs.  Yep, plain ol' hair conditioner.  Conditioner has oils in it to moisturize your hair and scalp, which will soften your leg hair before you shave and your skin after you shave!  Because it is oil-based, a little bit goes a long way.  A small dollop in your palm will easily cover your entire leg.  Unless you have ridiculously long legs - then you may need more.  But we don't feel bad for you, because you have long legs and we're all insanely jealous of you!  ;)

Using conditioner by itself will make you notice a huge difference, but as an extra measure you can also use a "secret weapon" to combat razor burn.  A few months ago, I read that some women use deodorant to keep razor burn at bay.  I thought about it.  It made perfect sense, because I rarely get razor burn on my armpits (where I already apply deodorant).  So I gave it a try.  I used the deodorant to make a "streak" down the length of my leg and then rubbed it in with my hands.  But the real test was my bikini area.  It worked!  Not a bump or red spot could be found!  The only stipulation when choosing a deodorant is that it must be the solid (stick) kind.  Roll-ons and clear gels don't seem to work as well.  Unfortunately, the crystal deodorants don't work for me either.

For those of you who have/do use these methods already, how are they working out for you?  And for those of you who are just trying them, let us know what you think of your results!

Coffee + Baking Soda = Natural Hair Removal?

Ok, so I loves me some Pinterest.  I could sit on Pinterest and waste my entire day if no one bothered me.  Seriously - the entire day.  Well, if you're an avid pinner like myself, you may have stumbled across a mighty popular pin claiming:

"No Way!  Finally, a way to get rid of unwanted hair naturally ANYWHERE!  For 1 week, rub 2 tbsp coffee grounds mixed with 1 tsp baking soda.  The baking soda intensifies the compounds of the coffee breaking down the hair follicles at the root!"

Oh. Em. Gee.  Hair removal that is easy, natural, and cheap!  I've gotta try it right this minute!  Whoa, whoa, whoa.  Hold your horses there, Sailor.  Do NOT - I repeat, DO NOT - use this at home hair removal method!  Baking soda and coffee are indeed both natural, but the rest of that information is utter bunkum!

Coffee contains caffeine, and caffeine stimulates hair growth!  There are a good deal of shampoos that help with hair loss, and you'll never guess what they contain... caffeine.  Not only will your hair grow faster and thicker, it will most likely end up darker.  Why darker?  Coffee is used to naturally and temporarily dye your hair a shade or two darker.  What would happen if some poor soul saw that pin and put it on their upper lip (where the hair might be lighter or barely visible)?  They could end up with a full-blown fu manchu!  Ok, so that's a bit of an exaggeration, but my point remains.  Coffee is a stimulant and should never, ever, ever be used to remove hair.

That being said, if you wanted to use coffee on your hair (the hair on your head, that is), that would probably have some pretty nice benefits.  It adds shine, promotes hair growth, and can temporarily (for a week or two maximum) darken hair a shade or two.  If your PCOS symptoms include hair loss, I would give coffee a try - but only on your head!

Baking Soda for Oily Skin

As someone with PCOS, I know the extreme havoc it can wreak on our skin.  For most of my life I've had oily skin, and I had always assumed that it was because I had Italian in me.  Heck, maybe the Italian thing plays a factor in my oily skin, too.  However, I do know that many women out there (who are not Italian) with PCOS complain of oily skin.  It makes sense that oily skin would be a symptom of PCOS, because acne most certainly isn't shy in people with PCOS.  And yes, I have the acne prone skin, too.  :(

When your skin gets oily (or "glowy" as some overly-kind people have to referred to it), you may notice that you are more prone to clogged pores and blackheads.  I know I am.  I have spent hundreds of dollars and received tons of free samples of products that claim to unclog pores and diminish oil on the surface of the skin.  In my search for the Holy Grail of pore uncloggers, I always come back to good ol' sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Baking soda is the only thing I've found that consistently dimishes the oil in my pores (at least, so far).  Not only that, but it makes my skin much smoother and softer (you may be able to tell in the photo below).  It has also had a nice effect on my cystic acne.  It doesn't make the cystic acne go away, but it definitely makes it hurt a lot less!  I use it on my scalp as well (because my scalp tends to get oily a little too quickly for my taste) and because it removes the excess oil, it gives my hair the appearance of having more volume.  BO-NUS!

Now, I'm not claiming that baking soda will solve all your skin problems, but do I feel confident that you will at least notice a difference if you use it correctly.  As with any product, the more often you use it, the longer your results will last.  So let's get down to it...

1.  Create your "mask" with a mixture of baking soda and water.  I have found that one tablespoon of baking soda to one teaspoon of water will create a paste with the best consistency.  When I make mine, I use two tablespoons of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of water, because I add half of the mixture to my hair..  Set your mixture right outside the shower so you can easily reach it when you're ready for it.

2.  Get into the shower and run the hottest water you can stand without burning yourself (use common sense here).  Let the steam and the hot water open your pores for about 3 minutes or so.

3.  Grab your baking soda paste and using your fingertips, gently exfoliate your skin, avoiding the eye area.  Concentrate on areas where clogged pores and blackheads appear most often, primarily the T-zone.  I do not recommend putting this mask on your neck or décolletage, because it can be quite drying on areas that are not oily.

4.  Rinse the mask with cold* water immediately after exfoliation, especially the first time you are using it.  You may find that you can leave it on your skin longer for better results, but it's always best to test your reaction to new treatments a little at a time.  Currently, I leave my mask on for about 3-5 minutes, depending on how much of a hurry I'm in.  I use this mask once daily, but you may find that it dries out your skin too quickly, and you may only be able to use it once a week.  You will have to experiment to find your own happy medium.

*Why use cold water when rinsing the mask?  The cold water will close (or tighten) your pores so that less dirt can get back in there and clog them up.  If you really want to safeguard yourself, you can also run an ice cube over your face when you get out of the shower.

 How many of you have tried this method of oil removal?  Love it?  Hate it?