why

This subreddit was created in response to the censorship on r/plasticsurgery, which censors patients to protect doctors and then permanently bans them to silence them. In addition to being uncensored, this community is patient-centric and will never censor a patient to protect a doctor, as it is vital that patients always feel 100% comfortable sharing their experiences with other patients in order to build trust within the community.

Okay, but my post just got removed by the Reddit filter. It doesn't even say why.

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 8 days ago

Is there a big difference in sun protection between cream and stick sunscreens?

I’m thinking about switching from standard cream sunscreens to a solid stick. Honestly, I just hate getting my hands messy and dealing with that sticky feeling afterward.

Do sunscreen sticks provide the same level of UV protection, or is there a noticeable drop in effectiveness? Would love to hear your experiences or recommendations!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 9 days ago
▲ 2 r/u_Competitive_Tour2598+1 crossposts

Thinking out loud: Lush vs. Dove body wash/bar soap?

Literally just caught myself muttering in my bathroom trying to decide between Lush and Dove for body soap/wash.

Lush: Smells divine, aesthetic vibes, feels fancy... but costs a small fortune over time.

Dove: Simple, super hydrating, gentle on skin, and actually affordable.

Does anyone else rotate between these two, or did you stick with one and never look back?

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 13 days ago

Can a severe bout of gastroenteritis/stomach flu change your skin type and cause dryness/itching?

Hi everyone,

I recently had a pretty severe case of gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Ever since I recovered from the gastro symptoms, I’ve noticed that my skin has become significantly drier and constantly itchy.

I never really struggled with dry skin before this, so it feels like my skin condition or type completely shifted after being sick.

Is it possible for a stomach infection/gut issue to alter skin condition or damage the skin barrier long-term (gut-skin axis)? Has anyone experienced something similar after gut issues? If so, did taking probiotics or focusing on barrier repair help?

Would love to hear your experiences or advice. Thanks!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 14 days ago

What nutrients should I actually focus on for brittle, cracking, and split nails?

What nutrients should I actually focus on for brittle, cracking, and split nails?

I’ve been dealing with brittle nails lately—they’re cracking, splitting down the middle, and breaking super easily. It’s getting pretty frustrating, and I want to fix this from the inside out before spending a fortune on topical strengtheners.

I know Biotin is usually the default answer everyone gives, but I’ve heard mixed things about whether it actually helps if you’re not deficient (plus it can mess up skin/acne for some people).

For those who have successfully strengthened weak/cracking fingernails or toenails:

Which specific nutrients or vitamins made a noticeable difference for you? (e.g., Collagen, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin D, Omega-3s, Silicon/Silica, Calcium, Protein?)

Are there any blood tests I should ask my doctor for to pinpoint the exact deficiency?

Did dietary changes alone work, or was supplementation necessary in your experience?

I'd love to hear what worked (or didn't work) for you! Thanks in advance!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 17 days ago

How reliable are ChatGPT or Gemini for medical questions, and do they actually help with pre-doctor self-diagnosis?

Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about this recently and wanted to get the community's thoughts. With AI models like ChatGPT and Gemini becoming so accessible, a lot of people seem to be using them to look up medical symptoms or healthcare questions.

How reliable do you think these AI models are when it comes to medical information?

More specifically, how much do you feel they actually contribute to the process of self-diagnosis before going to see a real doctor? Do you find that they just increase health anxiety and output inaccuracies, or are they genuinely helpful for organizing your thoughts and symptom history before a visit?

If you’ve ever used AI for health concerns, did it give you useful guidance, or did it just cause more confusion? I’d love to hear your experiences and perspectives!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 24 days ago

[Progress] Finally graduated from Knee Push-ups to Regular Push-ups!

For a long time, I could only do push-ups on my knees. Every time I tried to lift my knees off the floor, my form would break down completely or I couldn't push myself up at all.

How I bridged the gap:

Consistency & Incremental Volume: I stuck to doing knee push-ups 3 times a week, gradually increasing reps while focusing strictly on core engagement so my lower back wouldn't sag.

Incline Push-ups: I added incline push-ups using a bench/couch to practice holding a full straight-body plank position while pushing.

Form Cue: Learning to screw my hands into the ground and squeeze my glutes was the game-changer for stability.

Today, I finally managed to do proper full push-ups with solid form! It took me a few weeks of consistent work, but realizing my body is actually getting stronger feels amazing.

For anyone stuck on knee push-ups right now: keep pushing, progression is real!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 28 days ago

IL sunscreen doesn't come off with just soap (and my skin paid the price 😭)

I didn't realize that sunscreen doesn't just wash off with regular soap or a mild cleanser. Because I wasn't removing it properly, the buildup actually started attacking my skin. I woke up and, my face was super itchy and I broke out in these awful hives/bumps.

It was a huge wake-up call that sunscreen is just like any other makeup product—it requires a proper cleansing routine (like double cleansing with an oil cleanser or micellar water!).

Now that I’ve learned my lesson the hard way, my skin is finally starting to calm down. Lesson definitely learned: always cleanse your sunscreen off properly!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 29 days ago

Up until recently, I was completely sedentary and barely moved at all.

Up until recently, I was completely sedentary and barely moved at all.

Realizing I needed to take care of my health, I decided to start taking small steps.

At first, it was simple things: walking more, walking up and down stairs, and doing light stretching every day. Just getting my body moving felt like a win.

Lately, I’ve been trying to step things up by following various workout videos on YouTube!

I’d really appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or tips on shoulder mobility exercises/warm-ups that helped you when you first started out.

Thanks in advance!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 1 month ago

Mechanical stimulation of the scalp: Does brush type impact scalp blood flow or follicle health?

Hi everyone,

Looking to understand the science behind mechanical scalp stimulation and the specific tools used for it.

There are frequent claims that using flexible, round-tipped brushes (like wet brushes) to massage the scalp can stimulate blood circulation, promote sebum distribution, or benefit overall scalp health compared to rigid tools like fine-tooth combs.

From a dermatological or trichological standpoint:

Does the mechanical action of flexible brush bristles actually increase microcirculation in the scalp, or is the effect negligible?

Is there any evidence that regular scalp stimulation via brushing impacts hair follicle activity?

From a physics/friction perspective, do round/flexible bristles significantly reduce the risk of mechanical micro-trauma to the scalp compared to fine-tooth combs?

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 1 month ago

Medical tourism question: Do people stay extra days for post-op care, or just fly home right after surgery?

Hey everyone,

I'm seriously considering traveling abroad for a plastic surgery procedure, but I'm stuck on the logistics of planning my trip and visa duration.

When you get surgery in another country, do you usually extend your stay to account for multiple post-op checkups and follow-ups before heading home? Or do most people just get the procedure done, wait out the bare minimum recovery window, and fly right back?

I’m trying to figure out how to balance my travel itinerary and visa requirements. I’d love to hear from those who have done this:

  • How many extra days did you stay post-op just for follow-up clinic visits?
  • How many times did you actually have to go back to the clinic for checkups/stitch removal before you were cleared to fly?
  • Looking back, did you feel like staying longer was necessary, or was it a waste of time and money?

Any insights on how you structured your timeline would be incredibly helpful. Thanks!

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u/Competitive_Tour2598 — 1 month ago