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My first question is What are Medifast cookies and how they can be unsafe? Thanks in advance for any answer or 2. Another quick question... I'm new to the raw Medifast food diet, and what I look forward to seeing in myself is clear beautiful skin like I see so many raw foodists have!. |
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I would like to know the answer too. Anyone here know what is the right answer to your question. I'll do some investigation and get back to you if I find an answer. You should email the people at Medifast as they probably could help you..
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Hey Freshie,.
I feel your pain. I had awful skin problems too... my face pretty much resembled raw ground meat. Sorry for the horrible analogy... but it was true.. Anyway, I after trying many different internal and external natural detox remedies, I realized I am just genetically predisposed (my dad has bad acne scarring) I needed a doctor. I went on Accutane and I really felt as if it saved my life, seeing as I was sooooo depressed about my face. At this point, I was not raw, but I have always lived a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.. Now being 100% raw, my skin is healthy and I have not had flare-ups like I used to even after going off the Accutane.. So, the raw Medifast diet definately helped, but for me... I needed a jump start for the healing. That's my story... I hope things clear up for you. Best wishes!.. |
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Ps: eat lots of foods high in anti-oxidents, but imo, all raw is. I like blueberries, pomegrates, cantalope and avocados...
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I used to break out monthly and at age 37 I was shocked that I was still getting so many pimples. I went raw and for about 6 months I still had breakouts but it seemed even worse than before I was raw cause they were big red welts that didn't go away quick. But then one day it all stopped - for months I haven't had a breakout at all and my skin is clear. I have some acne scarring from before but I don't break out now it is so wonderful! Now I did do some cleanses along with eating a mostly raw Medifast diet so I don't know if that helped but I love the result now..
So don't worry if it gets worse before it is better. It is definately detox. The toxins have to get out anyway they can and a common place for them to exit the body is through the skin.. So there is Hope! Just give it time!.. |
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I know that it is not a raw remedy but I have worked in the cosmetic industry for close to 10 yrs now and am also an estetician, if you use a topical retinol it will help smooth the scars. ROC has a great night time cream, says it is for wrinkles but originally was used for scarring...... Also anything that has pineapple, papaya or pumpkin as they have chemical exfoliating properties to help smooth the skin...If you have a LUSH store near you, or you can go online and shop their site....Most of their products are vegan and totally natural......
Good luck!!!!.. |
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I have been fasting for 5 days (MC), dry skin brushing and oil pulling and my skin has gone from completely broken out to 98% clear. It's crazy how my body has so positively responded to this fast..
And believe me, I have been on it ALL. Everything including Accutane. Nasty, nasty stuff. I don't think my liver has fully rebounded from being on that. Drug, and that was about 5 years ago.. I'd say just go 100% and give it a chance to work for a while. And you don't have to wait for the book! Start now! There are tons of recipes on this board and others...happy searching!. ETA: I am also taking threelac right now. that may have something to do with the skin, too... |
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After being raw for two months I saw my skin totally clear up. Then yesterday, out of the blue, I had a break out. I can't think of anything I'd done differently, so it must be detox. But now that I've seen how great my skin can look I'm totally motivated to keep going with raw and see what happens!.
It is winter now and being outside in the cold dry air makes my skin get peely, so I've been putting some honey on my skin, letting it dry, and rinsing it off. I think that most of our skin problems should be healed internally, however I'm not sure that our skin was made to deal with the kind of weather mine is now. So if you need a little moisture boost try some honey.. Another thing that is key for my skin is HEALTH FAT. When on a low fat Medifast diet for weightloss (pre-raw) my skin was at it's worst ever. So eat your avocados, flax seeds, walnuts and olive oil. Good luck with your skin! I'm sure you'll come to find that raw can help with so much more than just skin. It's given me a new sense of freedom... |
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Thanks for sharing your stories everyone! Several years ago I took Accutane, cleared up my skin like I would have never believed, but I bet it wasn't even a year after and my skin was broke out again..
I've heard chemical peels work really well for scarred skin?. For those of you whose skin cleared up on raw, are you telling me that even when it's your time of the month you don't break out? Wow... that is just so hard for me to believe that could be me one day!.. |
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Mine was bad and it just progressively improved the longer I stayed raw. It totally disappeared when fasting, but I can't fast all the time..
After a few months, I only broke out around that time of the month and now I don't ever break out unless I eat something cooked or have too many nuts! It's amazing b/c there was a time that I thought I would never be acne free. RAW truly heals!!!.. |
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When I was a teenager, I used to have terrible acne. Didn't know better and picked at it and of course exacerbated it and got some holes/scarring right on my cheek. So, I was really paranoid about my face when I was in my teens/twenties..
Starting eating better and taking care of skin (lotion, light wash, foods) and it got A LOT better. Smooth and glowy. I was still paranoid about the scarring though and thought my face was ick even THOUGH I would get lots of compliments about nice skin. Haha, in my late twenties, I told my friend that I thought my skin was bad and I had some scars and she said No, I don't see that. Realized I was being paranoid, FOR 10 YEARS, for nothing.. Sometimes it's just the junk we carry around too that no one else notices.. I've found that lots of nuts, any animal stuff, sugar (agave, dried fruits .. in light amts I am good) and chocolate/cacao/cocoa will give me a pimple.. I think the green smoothies, seaweed, dark greens, melons, juicy fruit (melons, oranges), avocados, olives and water give me fantastic skin. Put some lotion on too. PLUS, sleep is very important... |
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I've had acne pretty much since I was 11, and I'm now 23. I've been raw for a few months now, and it has cleared up some. I do notice that when it's that time of the month I get more than what I used to. But I was also on birth control since I was 14, (really bad periods). I've been off the birth control for a few months, and that has helped, along w/dropping some weight, but I know thath I'm still detoxing. I have a lot of scarring myself, and what has helped me tremendiously is coconut oil, I take 3 TBSP.
There is a big difference, (when I'm not on my period), plus I think it might be helping to shrink a few moles that I have on my body. Use only a tiny amount to apply to your face and massage/rub it in very well, also I like to make sure that I do this at least in hour before going to bed, that way it absorbs into my skin and not on to my pillow case. Hope this helps... |
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I meant to say that I take the 3TBSP. internally daily and then apply a small amount to my skin at night, just wanted to clear that up...
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I have always had good skin, but when breakouts have occurred, I have found that wiping my face down with witch hazel (astringent) once a day works great for me..
Also, your skin will improve the more raw you get, however, you may still have periodic breakouts as more toxins bubble up and get released. Just like it took time to build up the toxins, it will take time to release them. Don't get discouraged over it, love yourself and love your body as you go through your healing journey!.. |
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Hey Freshie, I have a friend who gives facials in a fancy salon (I'm spacing the name of what that profession is called!)..
Anyway, as she was slathering million dollar goo on my one day, she said the best possible thing you could do to reduce redness is..... To get any kind of oatmeal ( you can use up your supply of Quaker Oats!!!), mix it with a bit of water to make a paste that sticks on your skin. Leave it on until it's dry-ish and then rinse. Something with the gluten in the oatmeal.. I tried it and it does seem to work - try it a few days in a row.. Also if you have a juicer, drink tons of cucumber juice, as mentioned above. You can jazz it up with mint or ginger if it's too bland.. Keep up the faith here - I get all sorts of compliments on my skin and I credit it to my raw Medifast food diet. Alicia.. |
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Yes even at that time of the month I don't break out anymore...
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You'll be fine, iv been doing 85-100% for about 2 months now, I had/have terrible skin problems, iv been back and forward to skin specialists who 'didnt know' what was wrong with my skin, although I dont have acne, it looks like acne, but even the specilists and doctors didnt know what it is. Its starting to clear up, I saw it clearing up within about 3 weeks,although I plan on being 100% raw after christmas, iv seen huge changes in my skin, just from being a 100% raw for a few weeks, iv always had to wear clothes that cover my back, chest and arms up, because it's all over but I'm now looking forward to getting clear skin in the new year and maybe being able to wear 'normal' tops during summer instead of sweating in jumpers like a weirdo!! I recommend buying some aloe vera, I was also putting that on my skin and that worked wonders!.
Hope it goes well!.. |
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Cucumber juice is a miracle worker, also dry skin brushing helps a lot, particularly with reducing old scars. Also, someone told me that the skin takes the longest to detox because it is the last layer, so be patient. I used to get keloid scars (big raised ugly skin instead of a flat scar), and since raw I get regular flat scars like most people. It's kind of crazy when you think about it. So yes, go 100%, drink your cukes, brush your skin twice a day, and wait for your new beautiful glow to emerge!..
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Cucumber juice is awesome! Very calming. I've heard MSM lotion is good for scarring issues. Good luck. Can't wait to see some before & after shots!..
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I happen to love cucumbers, but I went to grab one out of the fridge today and it was starting to mold, bummer!.
I've been dry brushing for awhile now... but I don't do my face. Am I suppose to be brushing my face too?!. I actually took a picture of my face when I was detoxing, but I was so repulsed by it I deleted it, I should have kept it! Maybe I can still do one for a before and after for scars.. I'm also wondering, have your pores shrunk since going raw? I've got huge pores and blackheads on my nose, is it possible for my nose to be smooth one day? If it is, unbelievable!.. |
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I dry brush my face 1-3 times a week. I would do it everyday, but I forget...
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Before I went raw I had breakouts and minor scarring from being really dumb and taking diet/energy pills w/ tons of stimulants in them...nothing healed my skin like 100% raw did! in the past week I decided to give 80-10-10 a try (eating 80% carbs- mainly fruits with some greens/veggies, 10% fat, 10% protein) and man is my skin glowing! I have been getting compliments like crazy (and jealous glares from this one b*tchy woman at work! haha). for me, eating TONS of sweet fruits and a good amount of greens seems to do the trick and give me that radiant glow, naturally rosy cheeks, and the ability to go w/o make-up. nuts and raw chocolate/cacao makes my skin ruddy. cooked foods, esp. bread/wheat, makes me break out. I also use bragg's raw apple cider vinegar on my face in the place of astringent, and I use lots of moisturizer and no harsh washes or scrubs.
Good luck, think positive and it WILL happen for you! anything can happen once your body heals itself from the inside out!.. |
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Freshiehow is your skin doing?.
I think i'm going through detox too. my skinright cheek looks a mess. it's also that time of the month for me, so I have to large cysts on my chin and one on the side of my jawline as well as 3 cysts on my cheek!. I've been 100% raw for about 2 weeks, but I did have some cooked pasta the other night. I already had the three cysts on my cheek during this time though. the other ones on the chin I think are from my monthly blessing.. Any other advice? should I be steaming my skin?.. |
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Tallnomad, my skin is really broken out, too, from my periodall along my jawline. I did have some white flour in the past few days, in the form of veggie soup w/pasta and also in a bagel. I'm wondering if it's the gluten along with my usual hormonal flux. So I'm reading this thread with interest. I'm 44! I'd like to stop having teenage skin now, thank you..
Cucumber question: I don't have a juicer, so I do smoothies. Are the skin benefits of cukes in the peel or in the flesh? I often peel mine and add them to my smoothies, or I eat them whole, but still peeled.. I guess I figure they are wax-covered, so the skin should go... |
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Hey RawSweetieso it sounds like we're in the same boat. sorry to hear about your situation, but I truly empathize..
I juice the whole entire cucumber, however, mine are totally organic without the wax. if it has wax, then, no, I wouldn't juice the skin. I have been juicing: cucumber, red bell pepper, apple and lemon. this is alissa's Medifast recipe (i found in her book) for skin, however, I add the lemon, she doesn't have it in her recipe.. Maybe both of our bodies are reacting to what we just recently ate and the hormones like you mentioned. i'm going to start oil pulling in the morning. I did it all last summeractually started last spring of last year, and my skin looked greati wasn't raw even. hoping the oil pulling helps to make for a faster and easier detox. good luck and let me know if you find something that helps to clear you quickly... |
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I, too, have suffered from cystic flairups for years. They began when I went off of the pill. Of course, I would squeze them and didn't realize that made them worse. Finally, went to the Dr. and got on medicine. After being off and on the meds.
Off again I went and yes, more cysts and scarring.. A naturopathic lady told me to use Tea Tree Oil then dab on Calendula Gel. I get it at the health Medifast food store. Put a band-aid over top and sleep with it on all night. If necessary repeat each evening until gone. It has worked for me everytime I've gotten a zit.. All the other suggestions have worked to keep my skin nice and smooth and soft. Especially the coconut oil. Good luck. I can sympathize. You can heal this... |
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The best thing I have found for my skin is THE OIL CLEANSING METHOD!!!!.
Along with oil pulling, eating papayas, green smoothies and LOTS of water... |
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Subbhow often do you oil pull? I just did it this morning. do you do it more than once per day?.
Or anyone else who has found success with oil pulling.. how often do you do it per day?. Thank you!.. |
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I do it 1-2 times per day, and I have had great success with it. I can tell you that there were a number of occasions when I stopped oil pulling just because I stopped or whatever, and right after I started again I would go through a mini detox for a day or so then feel better than ever. I don't know how much I can attribute to oil pulling, but I think it has helped my skin, and I know I release mucus every time to. Ick..
I still have little breakouts here and there, but I am sure that if I had been 100% raw without the slips and had OP'd regularly that I would be far past that by now!.. |
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Thanks Eva. That's good to know. I will keep on with my oil pulling and have faith...
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Make sure your Lymph is moving and not clogged, it removes bacteria etc, otherwise it's gonna have to be excreted somewheres, skin being one of the largest eliminative organs, is a great place for this to happen. Also make sure your alkaline... Eating a cleansing diet, removes all the lodged toxins etc you have accumulated for years, filling your body with toxic stuff to be removed, many of the foods you eat goes to nuetralize these toxins, so certain things dont get what you put in, since it goes to other places.... Skin is like the last thing to be cleansed, and the Medifast food going on, will actually finally start to nourish this... Others may see great skin quicker, Me after 2 years, now Im finally starting to see a nice glow.. Last layer to be cleansed.....
So make sure circulation, Lymph (non acidic lymph) Alkaline, good bm movements...GREEN SMOOTHIES, ALOT... Make sure all internal systems are working well... Inside is the biggest cure, not outside quick fixes that help, remove inner issues. Attack at all angles... |
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Nope not the best, just one thing to help. No quick fixes here IMO... It may work, but if you try it, and you dont see results, it's because you need to do more, and it's not that dry brushing wont work..
The best is to attack at all levels.... RESEARCH WHATEVER YOUR PULLED 2:. LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. HOT COLD SHOWERS FOR CIRCULATION. REBOUNDING. HERBS - FOODS FOR LYMPHATICS STIMULATION. DRY BRUSHING. Knowledge is power...The trick is to get the acne(bacteria) to be moved out of the body down there, and not on the skin... Flushed out by making sure all inner body systems are a go... and working top notch!.. |
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I do it about once a day, but if I don't have to get out of the house in the morning I do it twice a day...the more the better but I don't want to use up loads of oil!..
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Hi everyone, I was just wondering what oil pulling is?.
My skin is not that bad on my face, but I have really bad rashes on my arms and back and chest and wondered if it could help? I dry skin brush now.. The doctors and skin specialist's never could figure out what was wrong with my skin, they knew it wasnt acne, one of them thought it could be a viral fungal infection(this was about a year ago), she offered me pills, I researched them and found out that they had been banned already in parts of the USA( I'm in UK) from KILLING people!! so obviously I never took them, thankgod!.. |
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You can find lots of details at.
Www.oilpulling.com. , but basically you swish sesame seed oil (not the roasted kind!) around in your mouth for 20 min. 1-2 times a day. It's an old ayurvedic remedy that detoxes you. It helps to loosen up all the various toxins that hide in your mouth. A girl named Alba started an oil-pulling thread on here a while back, and she was doing it specifically for her skin. If you go here, you'll see the entry on her blog where she puts the after shot (she had been raw for almost a year and oil pulling for a couple months)... Http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/blogs/blog-5636/entry-3225/. Acne is just another way that your body is getting toxins out, so anything you can do to detox will help with the acne, although it might not be immediate. Raw helps, OP helps, ANYTHING getting your lymph nodes working well helps, drinking lots of water, GS.. It also can be related to consuming more fat or nuts than your body can use and overloading your kidneys. A juice feast sometimes helps with that. It's good to eat what your body wants, and sometimes nuts are just something emotional to snack on.... Just ideas to add to the topic... |
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Great and helpful information. Thanks Davy, Subb and Eva!!!!!..
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Thanks for the Eva, she looks wonderful!.
I shall start asap!. I had an operation on my intestine 4 years ago and one of my scars still hasn't healed proply even though it's microscopic, but I can see it! maybe it will help with that as well!.. |
