Kim on Skin

I don’t talk about my scalp much, but it’s been a quiet struggle... especially in winter 🥶

Dry, flaky scalp plus having darker hair = very visible flakes. And when my scalp gets itchy, it becomes another trigger.

The itch leads to scratching, which leads to picking, and suddenly...I’m stuck in a cycle I didn’t mean to start.

I’ve been using for the past few weeks (1-2x a week), and it has made a difference. My scalp feels calmer, and the visible flakes have reduced significantly which is helpful.

A few things to know:

It’s a medicated shampoo with coal tar extract, so yes, it has a smell. It’s strong, but it doesn’t linger once you rinse.

The lather is really good, and my hair feels light and shiny after - which I wasn’t expecting.

It works especially well if you live in a hard water area (which I do). This is why my hair feels a lot lighter because the build-up gets removed.

I’m not saying this shampoo stops your skin picking urges if you struggle with them compulsively. BUT reducing triggers where we can, is very supportive longer term. A calmer scalp means one less thing pulling me toward picking, so that’s worth sharing.

If you struggle with scalp issues too, maybe this could help.

One less trigger...one step forward.

| Gifted by

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, but this post is about so much more than that.

It’s about what happens when your body changes without permission. When you don’t recognise yourself in the mirror. When “just fix it” becomes an overwhelming compulsion that shows up on your skin.

Swipe through for something vulnerable I’ve been sitting with - and why I’m sharing it with you 💚

Have you experienced physical changes that triggered shame-cycling behaviors? This is and always will be, a judgment-free zone.

Based on a true story 😅

It’s 2:30am where I am and I can’t sleep..

I keep thinking about my planned double mastectomy in less than a week and how I’m about to have to relearn my body all over again

The truth is, aside from my chest being a very standard spot for me over the many years I’ve had …I’ve always actually liked my breasts

They were the one area I didn’t see in the mirror and instantly criticise (apart from the skin picking of course).

And it’s been 1.5 years since my lumpectomy surgery which has made one of the twins smaller than the other, with a surgical scar as well as a splodge of blue dye which was meant to fade but kinda hasn’t 🫠 so now it always looks a tag bruised

Why am I sharing this? I guess because I want to remind others that hindsight is in fact, a beautiful thing.

We can often hate on ourselves and how we look, but when they’re subject to change and we have no control over it, it’s easy to feel regretful and wish you had time to enjoy. To press pause.

A fellow ‘breastie’ (breast cancer survivor friend) who has already had her mastectomy told me to make sure I get plenty of hugs in:

To appreciate the feeling of embrace and the warmth of body-to-body contact. Because after the surgery, my entire chest area will lose a lot of feeling and definitely warmth.

This is your reminder to:
A - check your chest!
B - appreciate your body in its entirety

I know we connect over our shared experiences with so we find it hard to love the skin we’re in… but sometimes life can throw funny lessons into the mix

We’re all beautiful in our own ways 🌹

(Ps I’ve given up a lot of makeup recently and my skin is a lot happier for it! In the photo is skincare focus, touch of concealer, light mascara and eye pencil followed by a red lip. I’ve been hugely inspired by the Parisian looks!)

After your wonderful messages regarding my other post about how I was feeling.. I realised I absolutely want to share my journey towards healing with you.

So last week, I trekked the Indian Himalayas for charity.

It was an experience like no other - being my most unfit after cancer treatment, I was terrified how my body (namely my bones and joints thanks to my ongoing medication) was going to hold up.

I was also apprehensive about being part of a large group constantly, as - even though I’ve learned how to pass as chatty and outgoing - I’m naturally introverted.

I’ll be honest, there were times when the overstimulated got to me more than the mountains, but at the same time, this group of amazing people carried me through times of exhausted and self doubt. I feel forever proud to be part of this team and have made forever friends 🩷

The trip taught me a lot about myself. About how our minds can absolutely get in the way of what we’re actually very capable of doing. Since I got back, I’ve been running and have committed to reclaiming the power I’ve lost in recent months.

The chronic pain hasn’t left, but I’m trying to rebuild, one day at a time.

This is your reminder that you can do amazing, hard things. You’ve got it in you to push forward and surprise yourself with your capabilities. You’re made of magic ✨

🎀