This month I continued to heal from surgery and
ordered acne products from a vegan, paraben and cruelty free company called Face Theory based in Sheffield UK.
For those that don't know I was admitted to hospital after a few weeks of excruciating pain in my left ovary and required urgent surgery.
My cyst was removed 17th March 2020.
My consultant informed me that the cyst had ruptured and had welded itself to my colon and left ovary. He removed the white ruptured cyst cleaned me up. but could not see any signs of Endometriosis or PCOS due to inflammation.
I was in two minds about attaching photographs of my ruptured cyst and decided against it.
Thank you to all my friends and family who sent get well messages.
Sabeena Ahmed with Shamsun Nisa (Nani) celebrating fairtrade fortnight in Karachi Pakistan 2015
Hello, I'm Sabeena, a fairtrade campaigner, educator and social entrepreneur.
I've also struggled with cystic and hormonal acne for over 30 years.
For all those who suffer with or have cystic and hormonal acne, I empathise and understand the physical, mental and emotional pain you are living through.
Its affected my confidence and how I felt for most of my life.
Acne is painful, frustrating and soul destroying.
It stops you from being the person you want to be.
Every day is full of anxiety, stress and shocking looks from those you just don't understand.
I've never been a social media follower, however, I feel that beauty norms and standards portrayed in the media and online are unhealthy and put immense pressure on individuals to look perfect.
I've only ever wanted clear healthy glowing skin and I hope by writing this blog it will help other women in the South East Asian community to open up about beauty, acne, skin whitening, pcos, endeometriosis and all the other issues affecting women that nobody wants to talk about.
It doesn't help when everyone in my family has perfect healthy glowing skin.
As a long time sufferer (30 years to be precise) of acne/cystic/hormonal sensitive reactive skin here is my acne journey.
I started to have horrible painful acne during my teenage and early twenties.
The GP always dismissed my acne as nothing and told me to go away.
Dalactin T topical lotion was the go to acne treatment prescribed by my GP when on one occasion he said 'What's wrong with your face?'
Yes! Very helpful and comforting (NOT).
I have struggled with cystic acne from 15 years old to the present.
It wasn't until I was 30 when I was finally diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis.
The gynaecologist was amazing and told me my acne was a caused by the PCOS and Endometriosis.
My GP in London recommended a fabulous dermatologist Dr Goolam Ali at the Clementine Churchill Hospital, Sudbury, London.
He took one look at my skin and told me use Quinderm 5 and prescribed Doxycycline tablets for 12 months.
The Quinoderm changed my life and I finally had clear skin.
I wish I had taken photographs of my before and after the Doxycycline and Quinoderm.
PGCE (ESOL) PCET Graduation Ceremony at the University of Greenwich London, UK 2005
Here I am at my PGCE graduation with clear glowing skin.
I had been taking the Doxycycline for about a year combined with the Quinoderm and had gained 2 stones.
Over the past 15 years and while living as an expat in Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates I've met many dermatologists, some good others not so.
Over the past 5 years I've stuck with a lovely Dermatologist called Dr Bina Rabadia based at the Dubai London Clinic, Jumeirah branch.
From 2004-2018 I religiously used Decleor Paris for my skin.
The Harmonie range soothed my red irritated skin and the Neroli Night balm calmed angry cystic acne.
I had 90% clear skin and could cope with the hormonal acne during my menstrual cycle.
Sadly, I read that Decleor had been purchased by L'oreal who test on animals and I stopped using their products.
I did try the Odylique range for about 9 months between November 2019 and August 2020 but sadly my cystic acne continued to be problematic.
I had revisit my dermatologist August 2020 who prescribed Zineryt for my red itchy, cystic acne prone skin.
It cleared my skin for 8 weeks but my cystic acne but due to personal issues and stress my cystic acne was the worst I have experienced since 2004.
It has been devastating for my confidence and mental health.
On a happier note and after much research I found a company called Face Theory and read reviews of other cystic/hormonal acne sufferers who had found their products beneficial.
I ordered their acne range November 2020 and hope to write a review 2021.
For those struggling with acne please be kind to yourself, find your tribe and be with those who love you and help you to achieve your dreams and ambitions.
Thank you so much for reading and I wish everyone health, love and happiness over the festive period.
Wishing everyone a beautiful Xmas and healthy 2021.
Sabeena
This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
Here is my Easy Fairtrade Cocoa and Fairtrade Bananas Recipe which I baked for Fairtrade Fortnight 2024.
I have tried my best to translate this recipe in Urdu.
یہ ہے میری ایزی فیئرٹریڈ کوکو اور فیئر ٹریڈ کیلے کی ترکیب جسے میں نے فیئر ٹریڈ فورٹ نائٹ 2024 کے لیے پکایا تھا۔
میں نے اس ترکیب کا اردو میں ترجمہ کرنے کی پوری کوشش کی ہے۔
This month I supported fairtrade fortnight 2024 and celebrated Fairtrade's 30th Anniversary.
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I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
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