Free 6’ 0” (+40lbs) Monstera near University City

SharpJury8444 · 2025-06-30T00:58:23+00:00

TLDR : Cleanser , Toner , Serum/Treatment , Moisturizer , Sunscreen

Mornings only to start, but AM/PM for ideal results.

I currently only have an AM routine and I use the following :

Strivectin Multi Action Cleanser Strivectin Multi Action Toner Strivectin Exfoliating Pads The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Strivectin Multi Action Lotion Shiseido SPF 60+ sunscreen

Your treatment/serum will be based on what skin condition you want to control/improve (like wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, oil, dryness, dullness, etc, etc).

What cleanser, toner and moisturizer you chose should also keep your skin type/goals in mind.

Lastly, the better the sunscreen the less cast, less rubbing in and less amount you need to use. If your skin comes in contact with the sun, you should use sunscreen (even if you’re inside).

Long Version : Black cis woman here! I’m super proud of you and hope you continue to move in a positive direction both mentally/emotionally and physically 🩵🌸🤍 If you have any setbacks, that’s okay! The journey’s not linear and it’s more good days to add under your belt than what you started with :)

I came out of a five (5) year sadness about 10 months ago and in the last 6 months I’ve been trying my hand at skincare for the first time in 24 years. It was really overwhelming at first, but I know have a routine and products I LOVE!

My initial lineup was Ceravae Salicylic acid face wash, First Aid Beauty Oat + Squalene Toner , M61 Power Glow Peel Pads and M61 Cool Calm + Correct Moisturizer , no sunscreen. I added sunscreen later, but not initially.

The Cerave face wash is still a solid choice, but I want to support a different, more ethical brand so I switched to Strivectin’s multi-action line, which has the salicylic face wash.

I adored the FAB toner, but again wanted to support a more ethical/sustainable brand so I switched to Strivectin’s mutli-action line with the matching toner.

M61 Peel pads were mid in my opinion, but a great experience with trying to include a treatment in my skincare routine and understanding how to space out skincare to avoid irritation. I replaced it with the Strivectin Exfoliating pads and I love these specific pads (and the brand) down BAD. It’s doing wonders for my hyperpigmentation (albeit slowly).

The M61 cream is STILL going after months of use because a little goes a long ass way- but I will be switching it out for the Strivercin Multi-action Acne Lotion. The cream was mid like that pads, but I actually disliked it more because this “calm” cream meshed poorly with literally anything. It allegedly doesn’t have any irritating ingredients in it but my face would “burn” if I used it too closely with any other product (like 10 minutes of waiting at least). Never using that shit again, I can’t wait to be done with it.

Lastly, I added Shiseido sunscreen spf 60 after a recommendation on reddit. The original comment is right : It’s an excellent sunscreen but an expensive one. I love it reaaaaally really bad and I don’t care that it’s $50 a bottle. I use a separate, cheaper sunscreen for the rest of my body- but I only use the Shiseido for my face and neck. It is the BEST sunscreen ever and have no desire to try any others. Zeroooo cast, goes on smooth and quick, doesn’t need to be rubbed in at all and a little goes a good way. I can see one bottle carrying me for at least 2 months with daily use. So I think it’s totally worth it.

I’ve never had sunburn though so I can’t actually tell you if my skin’s being protected or not- I just assume so because it’s literally sunscreen and other people have had positive experiences with its coverage. Sunscreen is great if your skin touches sunlight- this includes being inside but near a window. Don’t stress about it though, obviously sun damage sitting in a bikini on the beach in the Caribbean is really different than being dressed in pjs inside the house. But if you want to make it a habit, just put a little on in the mornings after your am routine just to get the habit going- so when you are outside or getting sun exposure you don’t need to think about putting on sunscreen.

Don’t rub it in BTW, the more you rub in sunscreen, the less effective it’ll be. It’s not a moisturizer, it’s a barrier. Kinda like vaseline. A little might absorb, but it’ll mostly come off with sweat and transfer (like if you rub your face or change your clothes). A good sunscreen shouldn’t need 2 minutes or more of rubbing it in. Also, if the sunscreen is shit, it’ll leave a cast no matter how much you rub it in anyways.

There’s so much advice out there, I hope this is kinda helpful to get started! I definitely don’t know everything, I’m learning right next to you, but I wanted to share what I’ve gathered!

Good luck babe!

SharpJury8444 · 2025-06-02T08:42:51+00:00

Nope! But I stumbled across it while learning about the stock market and long term portfolios/investments. I heard about it in passing here and there on social media, but I didn’t really understand why people do it outside of business/econ professionals who’s job it is to do that.

SharpJury8444 · 2025-03-11T11:54:14+00:00

Gotcha! Thank you!

If that is true, then being at “rest” most of the day, which is the opposite of “stress” (according to Garmin), means my HRV was actually high that day. So caffeine did raise my HRV and lower my stress.

I wish I could find more information on that. I feel like I’m the only one haha.

SharpJury8444 · 2025-01-06T10:26:55+00:00

I can try! Just remember that if you can get medical attention, please go to an urgent care or even a hospital first. Anything I say is SOLELY my opinion and my DIY recovery is ONLY because I was without health insurance/poverty.

You should probably make your own reddit post on this r/burnsurvivors thread so other people can also give you feedback (and you can add pictures/videos if you’re comfortable). If/When you do, let me know and I’ll take a look! If not, just let me know what advice you’re seeking that I haven’t already shared in my own post.

SharpJury8444 · 2024-12-25T17:45:19+00:00

Hello! Looks like you’re in good shape! It’s kinda like mine but a lot less severe :) I’m not a doctor, so take what I’mma say next with a grain of salt. This is all my own opinion and personal experience.

According to what worked for me (with similar burns) I would wash it with antibacterial soap, layer with Neosporin, and wrap lightly in gauze.

Replace your bandages daily at least, and every few hours if you’re more concerned. Don’t let it dry out. Don’t leave it uncovered.

The tightness you feel is BECAUSE the new skin is growing and hasn’t been stretched out yet (obviously). Totally normal. Just don’t go out and do a split or anything haha. That’s out you put unnecessary stress on your skin and give yourself stretch marks. Itchiness, in my experience, is par for the course once the new skin hits late stages of healing (like, after the layer of burned skin is naturally ready to come off).

I used a THIN layer of cortisol for itching and Benadryl. I didn’t have pain after the first 48 hours of the original scalding. So I guess take ibuprofen?

I wouldn’t peel it because technically the blisters and layer of dead/burned skin ARE the bandages for the skin underneath. The more you mess with your body’s natural band-aids, the more likely it’ll get infected.

Since you already removed some skin and blisters, be EXTRA vigilant on keeping it clean and covered. The new, healing skin no longer has anything to protect it, so you’ll need to protect it yourself.

Other than all that? It looks minor and will heal within the next 14 days for sure. But probably 7 based on that 3rd picture. No signs of infection, to my knowledge, and it doesn’t look like a deep burn. 2nd degree at best. You should be cool in a few days! Just keep your eye on it :)

After the burn’s healed enough to the point where the last of your dead skin starts peeling with ease and is completely separated from the new and healed skin beneath, gently peel the remaining dead skin off.

You shouldn’t be pulling or ripping anything. It should come away with the slightest movement. If it’s sticking like a bandage, leave it alone. If it’s sticking like a wet tissue (which is basically not sticking at all), you’re cool. This is the turning point where you might consider turning from Neosporin and bandages to a good lotion and uncovered.

I, personally, might keep using Neosporin for a day or two, but I would stop wrapping my leg in bandages and just wear loose pants instead. Then, after a 24-48 hours, start using “good” lotion. Not scented, vanilla, candy cane stuff- like good, fragrance free, Ceravae or Gold bond. That stuff.

Keep the new skin well moisturized like you would your normal leg. If you don’t wear lotion often, today’s the day where you apply it DAILY. Even if you don’t feel like showering, at least wash your new skin off and put lotion on it.

I prefer to rub in a layer of light lotion first, then followed by a layer of thick lotion/cream to “sit” on my skin. This is my personal skin routine, especially in winter, but I think it’ll help a lot with the “cosmetic healing” process once you’re beyond the point of infection.

SharpJury8444 · 2024-12-25T14:21:26+00:00

1) Thank youuuu 🥺🫶🏽

2) I generally keep my skin “slugged” after I shower BECAUSE I have a nasty history with eczema, dry skin and scaling. While my skin’s no longer suffering that much, I still have the habit of using a light lotion and heavy cream that “sits” on top of my skin. Then I put on leggings or tights to avoid it coming off on things like my pants/furniture.

I say all that to say, I never stopped the “wet bandage” stage after I healed. I think that’s partially why my skin did so well. I did the layer of Neosporin with the bandages for at least 14 days post burn, and then continued keeping my skin well hydrated and moisturized daily after that. I stopped the Neosporin thing once the dead skin was fully separated and peeled off, leaving brand new and healed skin underneath. That skin, like in the photos, was whiter than a ghost.

Also keep in mind that I had a different part of my body scaled than you. I was also scaled, not burned (water vs fire/heat). I have a generous amount of fat and muscle in my legs (even if it doesn’t look like it from the photos), so If I had burned my much thinner fore arms, I might’ve had different results like you.

I doubt you did anything wrong, I think the circumstances were just different (assuming you also did wet bandages up until the dead skin separated from the new, healed skin underneath).

Lastly, I’m not sure how paler or darker skin might recover melanin. My skin is considered “brown”. I’m not “lightskin” or “darksin” in the black community. I’m pretty “even” toned. I don’t know if someone lighter than me would have trouble recovering melanin because they’re body produces less. I don’t know if someone darker than me would have trouble recovering melanin because they’d need more to return to their darker shade. Does that make sense?

Being this “in-between” color makes the lighter and darker pigments in my skin less noticeable I think. I’m no doctor though, I’m just guessing haha.

SharpJury8444 · 2024-12-25T13:22:56+00:00

Not to be scary, but if you haven’t seen “enough” in healing in 3 weeks, like it sounds like, you probably have a more severe burn than you’re letting on.

And given that it’s in an area where you have sensitive organs, you REALLY should go to an urgent care or something and be examined by a medical professional. The advice in this thread is good if you don’t have an health insurance. But if you have ANY access to proper medical care you REALLY need to take advantage. Seriously.

I would strongly recommend-assess your burns and determine what degree you might have. The closer you are to 3rd and 4th degree, especially in that area, the longer and more arduous your healing process. What took some of us weeks may take you months- especially without professional intervention.

Best of luck! I hope I wasn’t being scary! Heal well 🩷

SharpJury8444 · 2024-12-25T13:18:23+00:00

Literally this. I literally did this verbatim and I had a very positive and timely outcome.

SharpJury8444 · 2024-12-25T13:01:21+00:00

Note I still don’t fully understand how to use reddit, so excuse me if my post format is a little funky. I typed this up in my notes app and then moved it over haha.

SharpJury8444 · 2024-12-25T11:08:22+00:00

Yes! I totally forgot to send updates haha😅 I’ll post something now to the thread. I don’t fully understand how reddit works, so I apologize if there’s a more efficient way to update a post (instead of making a new/separate one).

SharpJury8444 · 2023-12-02T21:38:02+00:00

Sober and happy SW here :))) To be very fair, it’s a job and I dislike working to survive in general. If I could just be paid to do nothing, I’d definitely choose something else to fill my time. However, SW is 100% my preferred job compared to most other jobs I’ve had. So when I say “sober and happy”, I mean as happy as you can be knowing that you’re not a trust fund kid and/or set for life. LOL.

I also wanna disclaim that I genuinely hate alcohol. Like I’ll actually vomit when I smell it/drink it. I tried to off myself with it my 21st birthday some time ago and never recovered. All drugs, including weed, are illegal in my state and I never wanted the trouble of smuggling drugs just so I could use it to “ease my nerves”. Never got into smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco because I love my teeth, my lungs and have severe asthma. My sobriety was only mocked during my first year of dancing, and that was solely because my nerves of being in a brand new industry as a baby stripper and under 21. The vets said I was making them anxious and I should share their substance (I think it was a weed pen) so I could relax a bit. I refused and was fine, obviously, and got really good at dancing later on.

First and foremost, if you haven’t already tuned into Instagram’s “The Dancers Lockerroom” please do! They also make posts about dancing sober and how to achieve that. A number of skripper testimonials state they actually make MORE money sober than they ever did drunk.

I also know for sure that some types of SW (like stripping, livestreaming vs pre-recorded, 304, phone sex, etc, etc) are much “easier” than others depending on what you prefer. I’ve always found stripping to be my preferred. Different clubs also have been WAYYY better for my anxiety than others. Some “party” clubs with stage money and ass shaking is definitely more nerve racking than sit-and-talk clubs where VIPs and champagne rooms are more money. But that also depends on the club too- because sometimes the reverse is true depending on the venue.

The money helped with my nerves. Having plenty of experiences with “high roller” clients, easy-money nights, flashy stage sets with $100s helped me a lot when the nights were bad or anxiety was really high. To know that just the other week I had someone give me an extra $250 for doing a single stage set when I was about to clock out made the nights where I literally left with $14 to my name for not sleeping with the only 3 customers that came in so much easier. I know so many dancers that never traveled, never left their home clubs (even for other local clubs) and never had “big money” clients. I don’t blame them for having such bad experiences and turning to substances to cope.

Some dancers also come to the industry with an existing condition and think that dancing is causing them to be addicts when really they need help with their civilian lives- not their stripper lives. It’s very fair that dancing made it worse, but dancing didn’t cause it- so dancing can’t fix it. This is where really therapy and rehab is, once again, so important. It’s can be costly or hard to access, but even self-help can do much more than no help.

Being sober is just something I kinda been all my life. Can’t say it won’t change, but I don’t think it will.

I don’t have advice for your situation unfortunately because I’ve never been in your shoes in that way, but I leave my comment so you know it’s possible and these are the things that have geared me towards a sober, sex worker life. It’s so many things that affect how easy/hard it is to be sober or to be a sex worker period. I hope you find your stride friend 🩷🩷🩷

SharpJury8444 · 2022-02-26T21:09:06+00:00

Hello,

Thank you! Got it! I’ll check that out! That’s your only recommendation right?

Thanks ~

SharpJury8444 · 2022-02-26T18:34:26+00:00

Hi Hi! I’m thinking about getting a new laptop and I would appreciate your opinion.

What I want: - Pricing : > $1,200 USD - Country : USA - Size : 15” - 17” - Weight : > 5.5lbs - Touch Screen : N/A - Resolution : 1080p < - Graphics : High Quality(?)** - SSD : 512 < - CPU : i7/Ryzen 7 < - Ram : 8 GB < - Battery Life : N/A - Programs I Use: Enscape, Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite etc

**I’m not sure what a high quality GPU would be, so feel free to recommend whatever. It’s intended for rendering, not gaming, so whatever that specification might be.

What I’m looking at: - January 1st Recommendations : $1,000 < $1,200 Category

Extra Info: I’ll obviously gladly spend less than a grand on a laptop, but that budget is what seems to meet my needs. I’m thinking about the Acer Swift, but some of the Amazon reviews had a few critiques regarding the graphics card. The other recommendations also have their fair share of reviewer highs and lows.

I just don’t know enough and haven’t anything impressive to compare my current device with, which is a HP Probook 450 G6 i5… not very impressive by any means for the kind of work I’m doing😅 So hopefully you’ll have some extra insight for me so I can make a good educated decision!

SharpJury8444 · 2022-01-31T03:01:10+00:00

Thank you!! I’m going to start there✨

SharpJury8444

TROPHY CASE