UPDATE: Almost 2 weeks of Aquaphor

Almost 2 weeks might be a little too early, but since my peeling cycle was only about 3-4 days, I figured I had enough data to at least give some insight. ALSO THIS WILL BE LONG.

First off, I DO NOT have any pics of the initial days of applying Aquaphor and that was a mistake on my part. Instead I'll be including some before pics for comparison purposes. Anyway, I think most of you are aware of the so-called "Constant Moisture Method" with Aquaphor and this is what I've been doing for the most part. I've read a lot of different other solutions and moisturizers/barriers from different people here and I just thought, "why not start with Aquaphor since a lot seem to do fine with it and a lot of people here suggested it to me anyway."

So before I first started applying Aquaphor, I WAS NOT peeling anything whatsoever. I just applied some oil and sometimes aloe vera to help soothen the dryness but it was inevitably just quick relief and they would soon start to scab and hurt if left completely dry and alone and I would just clip off any excess skin. My lips were pretty much at their 'worst' when I started applying Aquaphor, I stopped clipping off anything and completely left them alone, just applying Aquaphor. Within 3 days of Aquaphor, the affected area turned so white and mushy (dead skin + Aquaphor) and I didn't know if that was good or not. I think it was in the 3rd day after brushing my teeth that all of the affected skin went off easily (by water, not by directly brushing it), revealing very sensitive skin underneath.

I then immediately applied Aquaphor because I was scared it might cause an infection or something. The feeling when touching is best described as tingly, and stings a little which I'm assuming is because it is very sensitive and a little inflamed? It's almost been 2 weeks now and for the most part, that tingly sensation has subsided a lot but it is still there, I can feel it when I apply Aquaphor. However, I think my lips still looked the same ever since all the dead skin + Aquaphor went off.

Here is a pic of my lips I took just now upon waking up, as you can see it is noticeably plumper than my before pics (which I'll post in a bit) and when touched feels so sensitive and a little burn. I'm guessing it's inflamed now but it's not that noticeable in person unless you really look at me closely:
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=83076




COMPARISON PICS:

Smiling
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=82873 (Before)
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=83077 (After)

Showing off the Mucosa
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=82874 (Before, much more 'natural' looking and feeling)
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=83079 (After, that white thing where the lips meet I'm sure is just Aquaphor; also noticeably much plumper and most of the lines on my lower lip are gone)

Showing off Both Upper and Lower Lips
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=82875 (Before)
//www.curezone.org/ig/i.asp?i=83078 (After)

PROS:
-No more crusting/scabbing/overgrowth
-Barely turns white anymore even with direct contact with sauces, water or any liquid
-Can shower, let toothpaste and water hit lips and barely any whiteness even with little Aquaphor
-These buildups are very minimal and you can't really see it unless you are close to me. I'm guessing the buildup is some skin that regrows + Aquaphor. These buildups build up very minimally and slowly becsuse they easily come off anyway
-Lips feel and "look" great for the most part, unless you stare at me from point-blank range
-The dark corners have subsided for the most part, it is still there but it doesn't hurt anymore
-Can, for the most part, live "normally" now


CONS:
-Much more plump and very sensitive lower lip after all the skin fell off with the help of Aquaphor, after all most of my EC is on my lower lip (inflammation? I hope it goes down soon)
-Affected areas are noticeably pinker than usual and the outer edges have gotten darker
-If you noticed in the PROS I kept saying 'barely', that's because sometimes, I see very little buildup (which I gently remove, or should I not?) but there is definitely no more crusting or scabbing. If there is, well time for another update
-Unfortunately, most of the lines on my lower lip are gone as you can see (because most of my EC is on my lower lip)

THOUGHTS SO FAR:
I can definitely say that overall, my lips feel much better and I can go out now much more confident than I was even though my lower lip is a little plumper than usual but I'm hoping that would subside soon. It's only been about 2 weeks so I'll definitely update more in the future, especially when things turn for the worse again. I also haven't changed my diet, in fact it got worse (eating more processed stuff now and a lot of sugar) and I really don't think it's making my progress and worse or better although I did stop taking protein shakes because it was when I started taking them thrice a day that I coincidentally got this. I'll be hitting the gym soon again and will most likely take protein shakes again and I'll see if it causes any reaction.

I'm considering trying some steroid cream or ointment if the sensitivity or inflammation does not go does within a month or two. About the minimal and sometimes buildup, I read on a post by Healed9000 that it should be removed gently, and for the most part it does come off gently but I'm still researching if I should leave it alone. I've read that MikePylon also gets minimal buildup at times even when applying his treatment but I'm not sure if he removed those.

I'm also considering adding MikePylon and Ibinn's treatment to my current one because they are who I look up to the most, of course including Daniel Miller and you guys who suggested I try this method but for now I'll stick with this for a few months and see how it goes.








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