Do you have any remedies for it???
I'm 30 (well, close enough!) and the acne I have is getting WORSE ! ! OMG, I don't know what to do... I know lots of water helps (which I do drink plenty of...) but I read these ideas online; what do you think?? What do you use / have you used?
Already I use mineral makeup, wash & tone morning & evening ((religiously))......... I'm at wits end...
Any input is sooo appreciated!!! ~C
1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. Any brand should do.
2. Dab egg white on your pimple and leave on for at least 20 minutes preferably overnight, this is supposed to "Suck Out" the "Nasty Stuff"
3. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne like soap.
4. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably better. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head. Because it is a method of reducing the swelling and helping the acne "re-absorb" it should prevent scarring.
5. First wash face and then dab acne with cotton balls soaked in vinegar.
I'm 30 (well, close enough!) and the acne I have is getting WORSE ! ! OMG, I don't know what to do... I know lots of water helps (which I do drink plenty of...) but I read these ideas online; what do you think?? What do you use / have you used?
Already I use mineral makeup, wash & tone morning & evening ((religiously))......... I'm at wits end...
Any input is sooo appreciated!!! ~C
1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. Any brand should do.
2. Dab egg white on your pimple and leave on for at least 20 minutes preferably overnight, this is supposed to "Suck Out" the "Nasty Stuff"
3. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne like soap.
4. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably better. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head. Because it is a method of reducing the swelling and helping the acne "re-absorb" it should prevent scarring.
5. First wash face and then dab acne with cotton balls soaked in vinegar.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 12:26 AMp.s. I've been to dermatologists... they've given me prescriptions; but nothing seems to help :(
nothing they've done has done any good...
It's generally along my jaw line ( which, I know ~ is usually about hormones...)
WHAT HAS WORKED FOR YOU???!
thx! -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 6:44 AMHi Connie,
I had them really bad under and along my jawline... I am not sure exactly what cleared it up for me but i got myself off of sugar and wheat and started taking a digestive enzyme along with a few other things and they totally went away. I started working with an ayurvedic doctor and he was able to help me see that i have too much heat aka pitta in my body, so.... i just try to do things for my body that will cool down that heat.
I believe according to chinese medicine, when you eat wheat and sugar at first they create dampness in your body though then it turns into heat.
good luck Connie...
bala
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 8:31 AMomg ~ WHEAT??! I thought wheat was good for you... I recently cut down my sugar intake by Huge amounts (changed to honey) an I heard of white flour; but not wheat... sheesh, what's left to eat?? ;)
Thanks Bala! Do you eat white flour? -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 8:10 PMHi Connie,
Actually no i dont really do any white flour. In the beginning it was tough, giving up the wheat and sugar(even fruit) but then i started noticing the difference, the results were very obvious within less than two weeks. I even started dropping weight .. The only effort i was focusing on was no wheat, no sugar, taking an enzyme. When i would crave soething sweet i would eat a sweet potato or yam... or i would make carrot beet juice... that seemed to take care of the cravings fro sugar... though honestly what i craved the most were the carbs, all i wanted was a cracker or a piece of bread... so i explored and found some brown rice flour tortillas which really helped.. I dont really eat dairy either, which can create mucus build up in your system... Oh I also drink aloe vera i think that has been a helper too.
I found that by doing these lifestyle changes is what made the difference for me, though everyone is different. For me it didnt seem to matter what my external skin regimine was, it was more internal..
I know how frustrating this process can be... hoping you find what works for you...
bala -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Mon, October 22, 2007 - 11:48 AMThanks again Bala!! I'm sure mine is mostly internal too. Do you have a link where i can look up mire info on this kind of diet?
:) -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Mon, October 22, 2007 - 1:32 PMMy boyfriend had Level 3 cystic acne for years. It was so bad, he could not sleep at night, and his doctor told him it was the worst case he had ever seen.
What helped him (don't know if it will help you, but it's worth a shot):
1) he stopped eating dairy. That was what he thinks was a HUGE factor in the cysts going away.
2) If you smoke, STOP. And that means smoking anything.
3) Pro-active helped quite a bit, but only in combination with the other things.
4) He also said that just "being happier" in general helped it go away. Reduce stress?
Good luck!
Hugs,
Star
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Re: Cystic Acne
Fri, April 11, 2008 - 11:48 PMin high school i was blessed with perfect skin until i turned 23ish...then all hell broke lose...what to do???? all along my jawline--cystic acne and on top of that i developed rosecea! yay! first things first don't pick...let me repeat DONT PICK....next you have to exfoliate and not too much or it will dry your skin out....find a suitable face wash with an exfoliate in it....do NOT put toothpaste on a pimple, it is not going to help.....you have to clear it out---a glycolic peel works best for this....follow with a mask---clay masks drawl out impurities....aloe is also good for soothing, buy a plant put in in your bathroom....
most of all, i work in a spa....an esthetician at the spa cleaned my skin out and i found how to take care of it on my own....antibiotic free! if you want to know what spa and her name just write to me and i'll let you know....
also i went on the birth control pill....all of this happened at the same time, the facials, the pill, the knowledge of how to do it myself....so it's hard to say what exactly did it....a combination of it all.....
one more thing---find your triggers....mine are soy and yeast---and i LOVE bread and beer! it's hard to change your diet so start slowly and then build on it--one thing at a time.....have patience it took my skin about 3 months for a considerable difference and about a half a year to be under control and a whole year for people to say to me, "you had acne?'
find what works for you....
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Re: Cystic Acne
Fri, April 11, 2008 - 11:52 PMspelt flour is a great alternative to wheat.....trader joe's has spelt bread and pitas, you can also buy the flour or cereal at places like whole foods
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 2:24 PMThe cystic acne I had was caused by an adverse reaction to a bad facial at a home cosmetics party. Aside from the new skin product I was given, I was also taking GSE 3 times a day which helps skin issues as well - I think that the GSE in combo with the products cleared it up for me. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 4:04 PM
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 6:10 PMConnie, whenI hit my late twenties, my face went from relatively clear to OMG WTF very quickly. It got really bad very fast to the point of embarrassment. I finally went to a dermatolagist who told me this was fairly common for women in their late twenties and early thirties to deal with. Our hormones change as we get older, ect.
I finally had to go on some light antibiotics to get to the root of the problem ,which was the bacteria deep in my skin and pores. You may or may not want to explore that option at some point. It worked for me and it was a very light dose used only as needed and for as little as possible.
I haven't had that horrible a breakout in years. I scrub my face more now and take a good hair, skin and nails supplement and drink lots of water too.
Anyway, good luck, there is a solution for you just as there was one for me.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 20, 2007 - 6:58 PMThanks Elaine! I'm glad you found something that worked :) I also did antibiotics for some time. It really didn't help.
I feel like I've tried everything short of professional peels, which scare me a little. I've always been prone to breakouts... but not like this...
Thanks for the feedback ladies!! -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Mon, October 22, 2007 - 9:20 PMI have also heard cutting out coffee can help clear up acne. For myself, I rarely get zits any more (used to be moderately bad) since I started:
- putting hemp seed oil on my salad (I eat salad almost daily)
- using a gentle cleanser in the evening followed by Alba toner (wipe with a cotton ball)
- changing my pillow case every night (bacteria can transfer from your face to your pillowcase)--actually, I flip my pillow every other night
good luck ! i know how upsetting bad skin is. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, October 24, 2007 - 4:38 AMOnly thing that worked for me was Accutane. I know, it's heavy-duty, but it did the job and I've been clear for 5 years now.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, October 24, 2007 - 10:40 AMHi Mellie, is that similar to Retin-A? I used Retin-A a while ago; didn't help.
~~>I've been clear for 5 years now.
ohhhh... I can't wait to figure this out so I can say that! :)
Thanks!! -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Thu, October 25, 2007 - 9:07 AMHey Connie!
Accutane is a prescription medication (pill) that you take for up to 6 months. It is extremely drying and can cause birth defects if you get pregnant while taking it, so it's very highly regulated and you *must* be under the care of a physician while you're on it. I know, it sounds like a nightmare, but it's also really effective. In my mind, it was totally worth it.
I had cystic acne on my chin that started in my mid-late 20's and did not respond to any other treatment. Went through one round of Accutane and have been 100% clear ever since.
Talk to your doctor for more info. And good luck! -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Thu, October 25, 2007 - 9:15 AMI had a boyfriend in high school that it worked wonders on.
Did you have any mental health side effects from Accutane? I don't know if anyone remembers, but it made the news back in 2001/2002 when the kid flew the airplane into the B of A building in Tampa, FL. They decided his Accutane made him do it or something.
Not that you'd fly a plane into a building if you're on it, but obviously such a serious side effect should be considered. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, April 12, 2008 - 7:27 PMMy husband had super bad cystic acne and the only thing that worked for him was Accutane. It is a very heavy drug--essentially toxic levels of Vitamin A, as I understand it, with other crap as well. It can cause liver damage, and women CANNOT get pregnant on it, as it causes horrible birth defects. His only bad side effect was that his night vision got much worse. He is prone to depression and to OCD, and it did not seem to exacerbate either of these. It is a nasty drug, and if you can clear it up via diet that's much better, but it is a valid treatment of last resort.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accutane
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, October 24, 2007 - 10:44 AMHi Lady Love, thanks for those tips. I'm going to look into the hemp seed. For toner I'm using a Witch Hazel (w/o alcohol - I checked). And I already flip & change my pillow cases. I've been doing that for over a year, not sure where I heard of it. But yes, that makes a big difference.
Where do you find the hemp seed?
Thanks for these ideas!
~C
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see an endrocrinologist
Sun, April 13, 2008 - 12:43 AMIf you really want serious information, check out the boards at acme.org (free). Acne sufferers from all over the world share serious info there.
One of the best points I learned there was that you need to rule out hormonal imbalances first. This esp true for cystic acne.
You mention you have adult acne. This is very common as hormones change in your mid-late twenties, typically showing up in new areas, especially in the neck or cheek areas.
Please check with an enocrinologist - usually it is a case of too much androgen circulating in your system,and not being adequately transformed into estrogens.
In these cases, dermatologists and peels, etc will mean zero. Check your hormones and fix those first.
Good luck.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, October 24, 2007 - 4:38 AMin the last 2 weeks i have finally found something that works for me... first i exfoliate, then i wash with neutrogena's oil-free acne stress control power clear scrub. then i use peroxide as a toner... if i have a specific zit i want to target, i leave the cotton ball with peroxide on it until i feel like i have done some good. sometimes the skin on the top of the pimple will completely dry up in a few minutes. then i use neutrogena's Rapid Clear™ Acne Eliminating Spot Gel on the specific pimples i want to target. let that dry for a few minutes and then use Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment. sometimes i don't use moisturizer after that but normally i use mary kay's Oil Control Lotion 3. in less than 2 weeks my face has totally cleared up!!! not sure it will work for anyone else, but it sure did work for me!!! -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, October 24, 2007 - 7:15 AMwow that is quite the routine Melissa. amazing how you figured that one out. Glad to hear it is working for you , effort really pays off. ;o) -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Thu, October 25, 2007 - 7:40 PMdef took a while... i hope it continues to work. i've been using photoshop to get rid of my zits for too long now, lol. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Fri, October 26, 2007 - 8:36 AMI've been struggling with this too, more over the last year than ever before. I think for me its age (I'm 31) and that I went off the pill a bit over a year ago for the first time since I was 17.
I did finally find something that works for me, actually with the help of another thread on this tribe. I'd tried all sorts of stuff, including some topical prescriptions, that hurt and peeled but didn't work.
Now I'm using Tea Tree Dr. Bronner's soap twice a day, a very small amount. It really seems to do wonders on both my skin and my husband's too (and razor burn BTW). After my face dries I apply benxyl peroxide to all of the acne areas (sometimes I only do the BP once a day, I find that I break out most when I'm ovulating and then right before I menstuate, so I'm religious about it then). I still get spots that seem like they want to turn into a zit/cyst, but if I'm good about the treatment, they very rarely develop. Its pretty darn awesome. I never in the world thought that this (or anything else) would work. Its pretty simple. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Fri, October 26, 2007 - 9:31 AMThanks Firekitty, I tried Dr B's Tea Tree recently. Using it twice a day seemed to dry me out (at 50/50 dilution with water) and anything less than that didn't clean my face. I use it once/day now and twice only in the trouble (jawline area)
I never thought of BP.... I'll have to check that one out.
What amount of Dr.B do you use? How do you dillute yours?
Thanks again!!
~C -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, October 27, 2007 - 11:28 PMI don't dilute, I just use a spot of it in my hand and lots of water, so its a really small amount.
I use 2.5% BP. Good luck, I'm really happy with it!
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, October 24, 2007 - 10:38 AMWOW! Melissa that's awesome! I'm glad it's helping.
I've been thinking of changing to HP for a toner recently too. That really makes sense.
My problem is that products (face wash etc) seem to only work for a few weeks. Then it all starts up again. So I think what I'll try is alternating face wash and looking at my diet more carefully... augh... I love food. All food. That'll be difficult. But definately worth it! :)
I'm going to check out your new face wash and see if it will work for me.
Thanks!!
~C -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, October 24, 2007 - 10:39 PMI find the Hemp Seed Oil at health food stores.
Alba toner has been working for months for me ! -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Thu, October 25, 2007 - 6:53 AMIn the morning i take 5 blanched almonds and i blend them with hemp seed powderand some almond or hemp milk (also found at the health food store). Really yummie and very nutricious.. I think this has also helped my skin clear.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Thu, October 25, 2007 - 7:39 PMtook me a while to like the face wash, but i love it now. the only thing i have found that works for me year round is mary kays oil control line of wash, toner, cream... but i can't always afford it so i went with the neutrogena. if i have a flair up (my acne is hormonal) and the neutrogena doesn't work i have some of the mary kay in my closet.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Mon, October 29, 2007 - 3:56 AMConnie- it sounds like you're trying everything, so I just have one suggestion- it might work or it might not, but it's super easy so it is probably worth a try and won't hurt.
Get an alcohol wipe or put some on cotton and wipe off your phone. Actually, wipe off every phone you use. It sounds really gross, but sometimes phones collect oils or dirt and then we use them without considering it and just rub the dirt into the jawline. Rubbing alcohol will take care of it.
Good luck. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Mon, October 29, 2007 - 8:51 AMThanks! I've been doing that for years. When I was in elementary school a lady in the attendance office used to clean her phone with alcolol - I've done it since I've had a phone of my own :)
I tried ProActive before. It did help some, but not more than any normal face wash. And I always ran out ::just:: before I got the new shipment , which was annoying. It's been a couple of years though, so I may try it again if I can't gert anything else to work.
I started using HP as a toner this week and it seems to be helping alot!
Thanks again for all the feedback!!!
~C -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Thu, November 1, 2007 - 12:44 PMYou can change the frequency of getting your proactiv online.
I never use mine up in the first two months so i get it once every 3 1/2 months
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Re: Cystic Acne
Mon, October 29, 2007 - 11:02 PM<< Get an alcohol wipe or put some on cotton and wipe off your phone. Actually, wipe off every phone you use. It sounds really gross, but sometimes phones collect oils or dirt and then we use them without considering it and just rub the dirt into the jawline. Rubbing alcohol will take care of it. >>
That's a really good point, Iomi. Whether you share your phone with others or not, skin oil collects grunge and builds up on the phone. It's totally gross to keep putting the set up against your face, acne or not.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Fri, November 2, 2007 - 5:25 AMFor me, I've noticed that the less products I use on my face, the better. Once you get a big one, there isn't much that you can do...absolutely do not pick until something is clearly ready to come out. I have not found a spot treater better than neosporin - things like clearasil are waaay too harsh for my skin and cause more redness and flaking around the area, making it even more conspicuous. I put neosporin with a bandaid on it overnight, and it seems to make it go away faster - I think it draws out the infection some and reduces swelling. Though, the petroleum in it probably isn't so good. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Fri, November 9, 2007 - 10:13 AMLadies,
I am over 40 and I am still battling pimples and the cystic kind to boot! The only thing that has gotten them under control most of the time is taking orthotricyclen (birth control pills). As soon as I stop I start breaking out so there is no chance I will stop for a long time. I am allergic to benzyl peroxide too. When I was in my early 30s I would get glycolic facials every 3 months and that helped a little.
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, November 10, 2007 - 10:33 AMI had it for YEARS! During Herb school I learned to do Provings... What you can do is take the thinks you ingest most, or have for your whole life, and stop them one by one. After a couple of weeks to a month reintroduce them slowly into your diet. For me it was peanuts and coffee. The two things I loved most in the world. After a month off of them my cysts went away. I had one cup of coffee and they were back. Coincidence? I thought it might be so I did it again. Two weeks off... tried again. Within 24 hours they were back so I gave up coffee. Then I did the same with peanuts. I gave them up out of choice because my body was telling me something and I chose to listen. Now I have tea and almond butter... and it works for me.
For you it could be something different. Try giving up one thing at a time... do your own personal research. Every Body is different!
Best wishes! Red hurty cysts totally suck!
~Alura -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Sat, November 10, 2007 - 6:17 PMVitamin B12 and less stress, with lots of water are when my skin is alwaysa at its best!!! -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Mon, November 12, 2007 - 12:46 PMYou may want to look at some Indian (Eastern) remedies as well. I had horrible cystic zits and finally put a stop to them by using the following:
1. Neem or turmeric soap (available online or at Indian groceries); should cost about $2.50 USD in a grocery, more online. I wash with it morning and night.
2. rosewater as a toner
3. Facials once or twice a week: I either use neem powder (from Indian grocery) mixed with water, apply and let dry. Or I use gram powder (ground chickpea flower--from Indian mart) mixed with water, apply and let dry. Or I use honey, sometimes honey mixed with oatmeal and milk--apply and leave on for 10 minutes or so.
4. Coconut oil or olive oil rubbed into skin after any skincare (IE twice a day). Sounds nuts, but it can actually cut down on your skin's oil production.
I do occasionally get a cyst, but it's like *one*, not *14*, and the above regimen greatly speeds healing and they don't leave scars. They also don't get anywhere near as big and red and gross.
If I do get a zit, I "napalm" it every night with ProActiv's clay mask. I just dab it on the zit and sleep with it on. -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, November 14, 2007 - 10:26 AMI have it along my jaw line too! I assumed it was from the strap on my bike helmet . . . -
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Re: Cystic Acne
Wed, November 14, 2007 - 12:36 PMafter you've tried everything harsh and heavy... you could go the other route of letting your face normalize a bit, by
stabilizing your diet,
drinking LOTS of water,
and only exfoliating once or twice a week, not roughly, you don't want to strip the follicles, no scrubbing with washcloth
NO touching your face,
if you put products in your hair, keep it off your face
only wash your face at night, then moisturize
in the a.m. just warm water and remoisturize,
dont use super hot water on your face (it's delicate skin)
take internal oils like Udo's (because they're organic) so your body can stabilize it's own oil production
no sugar - also for sweet cravings cup of tea with honey helps me, or agave nectar
to balance the endocrine system [hypothalamus(controls hunger and thirst), thyroid, adrenal glands(regulate stress),
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