My Acne Treatment Documetary

I'm writing this journal to document how I will battle with acne, so as to share my experiences with people having the same problem.

On 9 May 2010, i was introduced to Selily. It is a natural facial product that treats acne. I have tried google on this brand and I came across a blog site http://www.wretch.cc/blog/selily/ that describes its benefits. I was given a brochure that explains its product range. However, it is less informative than what the blog site provides.

The brochure claims:

Selily is a homecare for oily and acne skins. It is an ultimate skincare treatment for oily/seborrheic skins. It is a natural product with no artificial colouring and no artificial perfume. It has been clinically tested with instant results. Its product range includes:

(1) Deep Cleansing Milk (Code: SF 5002)

• 专为清除脸部污垢，角质及卸除彩妆时所用之保湿性洁肤乳，能促进肌肤代谢，调整肌肤pH值，适用于任何肌肤，甚至过敏肌肤者。
• ＊每晚卸妆时，先取适量 Deep Cleansing Milk 轻轻按摩脸部，再用面纸擦试干净，最后以Extra Gentle Cleanser 洗脸，再用清水清洁脸部。
• Effectively remove make-up without changing the pH of the skin.
• Gently apply Deep Cleansing Milk onto the skin with circular movements to loosen up grime, debris and make-up.
• Tissue and rinse off thoroughly.
• Suitable for all skin types even the most sensitive skins.

(2) Extra Gentle Cleanser (Code: SF 50008 Oily Skin / SF 5010 Dehydrated or Dry Skin)

• A deep and gentle cleansing at your fingertips.
• Thoroughly cleanses away debris and dead skin cells without dehydrating the epidermis.
• Apply sparingly (about 1-2ml) on a wet skin. Using fingertips with circular movement to work up lather. Avoid eye area. Rinse well with water.
• Can be used after Deep Cleansing Milk as a double cleanser.
• Suitable for normal to oily or acne skins, SF 5008.
• For dehydrated and dry skins, SF 5010 is recommended.

(3) Regulating Lotion (Code: SJ 9001 / SF 9002)

• 能清除毛孔阻塞与化脓细胞，痊愈后不会留下凹洞或疤痕。无刺激性，不伤皮肤，使用时无刺痛感觉与脱皮现象，需与 Regulating Cream 或 Hydro-Emulsion Cream 配合使用。
• ＊洗脸后，滴少许 Regulating Lotion 于手心，涂抹患处肌肤。
• Regulating Lotion is a bio-curative skin care preparation for the treatment of enlarged pores, papules, pustules, pimples, blemishes, acne, or oily skins, seborrheic skins, post-acne scar and acne prone skins.
• Based on 100% natural herbal ingredient and plant extracts, it works gently and effectively to heal and soothe irritation. It also restructures and restores the skin.

(4) Hydro-Emulsion Cream (Code: SD 3004)

• 采自然埴物取精华，具有温和的护理效果，能改善面泡及过敏现象，消除红肿，复原肌肤细胞组织，修理及滋润肌肤。
• Contains natural plant extracts to treat acneic oily skins.
• Apply Hydro-Emulsion Cream sparingly on the skin after toning with Regulating Lotion for protection.

(5) Regulating Cream (Code: SD 3002)

• 植物萃取精制成品，对面泡或过敏性肌肤，能讯速消除红肿，收敛毛孔，调整肌肤油质，呵护肌肤不因护理过程而引发老化现象。
• ＊洗净脸后，可在过敏或面部位上，轻拍 Regulating Lotion 之后，再搽 Regulating Cream。
• Formulated with plant extract.
• Excellent soothing and hydrating properties with oxygen enrichment, while controlling skin sebum.
• Protects skin from premature ageing. Ideal for dehydrated or sensitive skins.
• Apply Regulating Cream sparingly day and night on a thoroughly cleansed and toned (with Regulating Lotion) skin.
• If make-up is required, Protective Cream and Translucent Loose Powder may be applied after Regulating Cream for further protection.

(6) Corrective Cream (Code: SD 3010)

• Improves skin texture and condition. For oily skin, cleanse all the impurities from the skin, and then apply Corrective Cream.

(7) Astringent Lotion (Code: SJ 9006)

• Performs triple actions of moisturizing, refreshing and cleansing. Makes skin smooth, soft and elastic, ideal for oily and young skins, while controls and balances excessive sebum.
• Apply sparingly after cleansing or just before make-up.

(8) Protective Cream (Code: SD 3026 While / SD 3028 Beige)

• 防晒系数（比用于普通肌肤的防御紫外线产品）效果高，防止晒伤，晒黑及日晒后肌肤干燥，具高度透气性，物理性的防晒配方温和自然，使肌肤清新秀丽。
• 白天或化妆前，用 Astringent 或 Hydrating 或 Softening 或 Bio-Repair Lotion 及面霜后，再用 Protective Cream 及 Translucent Loose Powder， 加强隔离紫外线，适用于任何肌肤。有白色及肤色两种选泽。
• Helps prevent premature ageing often accelerated by harmful sun rays.
• Provides immediate relief from sun burn.
• Contains active repairing and restructuring ingredients to help skin repair after exposure to the sun.
• Refreshes & smoothes skin.
• Suitable for all skin types.
• Apply Protective Cream after cleanser, toner and moisturizer.
• Apply as a make-up base during the day or before make-up.
• For oily and acne skins, it is recommended to follow with Translucent Loose Powder.

(9) Ginseng Eye Cream (Code: SD 3030)

• Strengthens and firms the tissue around the eyes.
• Dramatically softens wrinkles and yields a beautiful and youthful appearance.
• Helps reduce puffness and shadows under the eyes.
• Apply around the eye areas after cleansing in the morning and evening.

(10) Translucent Loose Powder (Code: SA 1044 White / SA 1046 Beige / SA 1054 Pink)

• Selily 松粉含微药性，能吸收多余油脂而不阻塞毛孔。适合任何性质，包括暗皮肤。
• It is lightly medicated, able to absorb excess sebum and it will not clog the pores.

(11) Cream face Mask (Code: SA 4011-1)

• Effects - deep cleansing, moisturizing, refining and relaxation.
• Helps with the penetration of nourishing cream into the skin.
• Apply moderate amount of mask onto a thoroughly cleansed skin.
• Leave to work for 10-20 minutes. Rinse well with water. Tone and moisturize as usual.

I did not use all 11 products. I was only introduced to 5 of them which are Deep Cleansing Milk, Regulating Lotion, Regulating Cream, Protective Cream and Translucent Loose Powder (Pink).

I took some pictures of myself immediately after washing with Deep Cleansing Milk. 9th May was my first day that i began using Selily products.

LEFT - 9 May 2010	RIGHT - 9 May 2010

You can see from the pictures above that i have severe acne. I have several acne pustules, inflamed with white or yellow pus in the center.

I also document my diet here so as i remind myself to stay away from prawns, crabs, chili and fried food.

9 May 2010:
Breakfast: 2 half-cooked eggs, kaya butter toasted bread, coffee
Lunch: Popiah, custard bread, tea
Dinner: Hong Xin restaurant: Chicken essense soup, beancurd, duck, brocolli, fish,

yam

10 May 2010:
Breakfast: Anlenne + 1 spoonful Meiji Amino. 1/2 packet Old Town coffee.
Lunch: Prk rib bee hoon soup.
Tea: 1 slice mango, 2 strawberries, 2 mangosteens, 2 figs.
Dinner: Thai express: Beef Phat Thai, Tom yam seafood, coke.

11 May 2010:
Breakfast: 2 strawberries, 2 half-cooked eggs, kaya butter toasted bread, coffee.
Lunch: Economical rice: chicken, ladies finger, potato.
Tea: Orange, strawberry.
Dinner: Biscuits, nuts, 2 figs, nasi lemak, fried chicken wing, egg, tea larik.

12 May 2010:
Breakfast: Fresh milk + 1 spoonful Meiji Amino. 1/2 packet Old Town coffee.
Lunch: Economical rice: chicken, cabbage, tofu po.
Tea: orange, 1/2 packet Old Town coffee.
Dinner: 3 bowls red bean soup.

13 May 2010:
Breakfast: Wanton mee (no chilli), kopi.
Lunch: Chicken rice + cabbage + egg.
Tea: Mangosteen, custard apple.
Dinner: Economical rice: rice + cabbage + beancurd.

14 May 2010:
Breakfast: Papaya milkshake, pandan tou sha bing.
Lunch: Economical rice: rice + cabbage + lady's finger + fried fish fillet.
Tea:
Dinner: dory fish pasta, campbell soup.

15 May 2010:
Breakfast & Lunch: Tiong Bahru market: Wanton dumplings mee soup, Zhu Chang fen (1

mouthful), soya bean + xian chao drink (cold).
Tea: Mu shu, tea.
Dinner: Indonesian food @ Changi T3: rice +
chicken + cabbage + satay, Coffee.

16 May 2010:
Breakfast & Lunch: Tiong Bahru market: raw fish porridge, bean sprout, lor mee (2

mouthful).
Tea: tou sha bing, coconut sugar bing, lo han guo soup.
Dinner: Gallery Hotel: Japanese port

A week later, on 16th May, I have a facial appointment at one of the beauty salons near my home. Winnie, my beautician, spent a great time trying to extract and clear black heads, white heads, pustules and inflamed pores. After extraction, nano light treatment (similar to IPL) was done. And then different masks were applied to calm the redness and braised skin from the extraction. Below are some pictures i took before and after the facial.

LEFT - before facial 16May2010	RIGHT - before facial 16May2010

LEFT - after facial 16May2010	RIGHT - after facial 16May2010

You see lesser clogged pores and black heads. Inflamed pimples are extracted.

I continued to use Selily products daily. I do not use any other products as advised.

I continued to document my diet as well.

Another week has passed, i took pictures on both sides of my face:

LEFT - 23 May2010	RIGHT - 23 May2010

Yup, there is a small prick on a pimple filled with blood. So far this week, only 3 new pimples were formed. They are all small ones and they got "ripe" quickly. i managed to squeeze them clean without any of them getting inflamed. Most of the rest of the pimples are drying out.

No photo editing has been done on my pictures. But clearly, i am seeing improvements =)