How a Daily Self-care Routine Boosted My Confidence

Cushing’s disease has many ways of lowering our self-esteem, and self-care is crucial for building our confidence back up. I experienced symptoms such as weight gain, purple striae, moon face, a buffalo hump, and even acne. All of these issues combined meant I just wasn’t feeling beautiful anymore.

With Cushing’s disease, weight loss can be nearly impossible because of the elevated levels of cortisol in the body. Working out seemed hopeless for me, because no matter how much effort I exerted, my appearance didn’t change.

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February 24, 2022 Columns by Paris Dancy

These Routines Helped During My Cushing’s Recovery

Because I couldn’t lose weight, I started looking for other ways to feel good about myself and decided to invest in affordable skin care. By taking care of my skin, I was able to better manage its appearance. (I should note that hormonal acne will not dissipate until the underlying hormonal issue is fixed.)

Please note that I’m not a doctor, and it’s always a good idea to consult your dermatologist before trying any new skin-care products. That said, I’d love to share some of the products that helped my skin look a bit better while I was struggling with Cushing’s disease.

For my cleanser, I used the Hero Cosmetics Clear Collective Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser. The exfoliating properties were essential for my Cushie skin. Afterward, I would do a facial treatment using either Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay or the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution from The Ordinary. I had to remember to wear sunscreen because the peeling solution can make your skin more sensitive to ultraviolet damage.

After the treatment, I would use the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum from The Ordinary and a CeraVe daily moisturizer with SPF, or sun protection factor.

For me, the routine is meditative, like a ritual. Self-care allows me time to connect with myself and practice self-love.

By creating a skin-care routine, I started to regain my confidence. Soon, I was focusing on other parts of my body that were affected by Cushing’s as well, like my wild, curly hair that had become brittle and dry and was breaking off, falling out, and not retaining length at all. But that’s a different story!

The journey toward loving yourself and feeling confident despite this terrible disease doesn’t have to involve giant leaps. Taking time each day to connect with yourself through something as simple as skin care can set you on the right path.

Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.