Your dermatologist or doctor will be able to point out medications, both topical and in pill form, which may be able to fully treat your breakouts in a matter of weeks. Dermabrasion is basically when a doctor scrapes the top layer of skin, or epidermis, with a very fine diamond bur or wire brush, thereby "softening" the irregularities in the skin. It is good for blemishes or scars caused by acne. Try microdermabrasion. Like dermabrasion, just with a lighter implement. A soft abrasive is moved over the epidermis, softening the blemishes and encouraging collagen production. Similar to dermabrasion, except the dermatologist removes the outer layer of skin not by scraping the skin away, but by "planing" it away with a series of back-and-forth oscillations. Your local aesthetician will have a high frequency machine that uses a current to kill the bacteria that causes inflamed blemishes. A small electrode is run over the blemish and will be noticeably smaller in a few hours. You can also purchase a Zeno device, which is the same thing as these high frequency machines. The only difference is that they are handheld and battery operated. Your dermatologist can inject cortisone into a blemish, which will reduce swelling within a day. However, this is typically seen as a last resort method for when your skin isn't responding to other treatments.

Summary: Take prescription medication. Try dermabrasion. Try dermaplaning. Zap blemishes away. Get a cortisone injection.


Make sure it is stable, and near the center of the block, if possible. Swinging a heavy maul at an unsteady block is extremely dangerous. A glancing blow could strike your leg, or send the wood flying off like a dangerous projectile. Set yourself up for success by placing the wood securely. Look for hairline cracks in the log. You should aim so that the blade of you the maul runs in the same direction as the crack.  Different woods split in different ways, so plan accordingly. Oak splits somewhat easily through the center, even large-diameter portions. Maple, on the other hand, is split more easily toward the edges of the end-grain. Look for large knots or places where a limb was removed when the wood was cut and avoid them. These places will likely have very crooked, gnarly grain, which should be avoided if possible. You could spend all day hacking away at knots. Choose the location you want to split the log, stand with your maul resting on that location, and set your feet square. You might tap a little indentation into the wood so you'll have a good visual cue at which to guide the maul, if the grain isn't obvious from where you're placed. You don't really "swing" a maul, and you don't need to put the end behind your head at any point to split wood properly. Hold the maul firmly with your non-writing hand at the end of the handle, and cradle the maul with your dominant hand, just below the head of the maul. Flex your knees slightly, then lift the maul head straight up above your head, extending your arms straight.  Slide your strong hand down until both of your hands are close, gripping the end of the handle, then bring your hands down and flick your wrists, letting gravity do much of the work for you. Splitting has much less to do with strength and more to do with using the correct technique. Swinging the maul wildly is both dangerous and exhausting. You may have to pull and twist it hard to remove it, if the bit is sunk deeply and stuck in the wood. Rock the axe bit up and down to work it out of the wood. Alternatively, you can treat the planted maul like a splitting wedge and hit the blunt metal end of the maul with a sledge. This is a popular and common technique for splitting logs. If you've placed the maul accurately, or it's quite stuck, don't waste energy pulling it out. Try to strike in exactly the same place as the first time, or along the length of any crack which appeared when you hit it. Split each block of wood into progressively smaller pieces, until they are the desired size. Normally, you will split the block in half, then each half will be split again, until the pieces are about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) at the largest cross section. Stack split wood so that air can circulate around it to allow it to season thoroughly before it is burned in a wood stove or fireplace. Cover it to prevent rain from repeatedly wetting it, which will cause it to rot, but do so in a manner which still allows good air circulation.

Summary: Place your first log on the chopping block. Examine the wood before splitting it. Aim. Bring the maul up and down. Pull the axe bit out of the log if the wood fails to split on the first swing. Repeat your swing into the wood until the wood splits. Split and stack.


Eating something warm can help ward off the chills and make you feel a little better inside. This will also distract you from your illness and help the time pass a little faster. Be sure not to overdo it with a large meal. Try small bites like:  Oatmeal Chicken broth Toast Scrambled eggs Saltine crackers Sit back and relax with a nice cup of herbal tea. This will preoccupy your time and offers many health benefits as well. Stay away from caffeinated teas as this may upset your stomach. Try these types of herbal teas:  Peppermint Chamomile Ginger Rooibos Rosehip When you are feeling sick, it is nice to have a treat to make you a little feel better. A piece of dark chocolate will distract you from your illness. A hot cup of cocoa is another way to pass the time and enjoy the health benefits that chocolate offers such as reduced blood pressure and improved heart health.

Summary: Eat something warm. Drink some herbal tea. Eat some dark chocolate.


Agree to private phone calls behind a closed door, but set ground rules. No calls after midnight or during dinner, for example. Ask your teen where they will be when they go out at night, but don’t call them every five minutes to confirm. Show your teen you respect and trust them by not encroaching on their privacy. This will likely make them more willing to share their thoughts or feelings with you.  It’s important to respect your teen’s privacy in small ways. This could be knocking on their bedroom door before entering their room. Or asking for permission to come into the bathroom before you enter. Avoid barging in on your teen at different times of day. Schedule a time with them to talk about their latest test score or cleaning up their room. Don’t catch your teen off guard, as this may lead to a fight. If you usually discuss these issues at dinner or in the car, bring them up with your teen during your usual time. A move across the country or a major financial decision will affect your teen’s world. So rather than spring the decision on your teen, consult with them about a major life change. Talking to them about the decision and listening to their opinion will show you respect their point of view. It will also likely make the change less painful for your teen and help them to adapt to the change. Build trust between you and your teen by keeping your conversations confidential. That is, unless there is an issue you feel you need to discuss with your partner or another adult. If you end up sharing your teen's private words, this may shut down communication. Your teen may not want to risk offering their intimate thoughts or opinions to you again. Don't betray their trust by revealing what they told you in confidence.
Summary: Respect your teen’s privacy. Give your teen some say in major decisions. Don’t reveal to others what your teen has shared with you.