I don't have to stop playing violin now

I'm 40ish and I've had a really bad bruise/rash on my chin from playing violin since I was a small kid.

My dermatologist said my horrible lumpy and burning lesion was probably permanent since I have had it over 30 years and the scarring is so deep and rough and never healed properly all this time.

I tried everything. I covered my chin rest with cloths and foam. I used different rests like supposed "hypoallergenic" plastic ones ... total BS, my dermatologist said, most hypoallergenic things are just bunk.

I tried a chin rest filled with gel that made holding the violin still with my jaw really difficult and caused me to clench more from my shoulder so I wouldn't drop my violin. I also tried various creams and medications my dermatologist suggested. I even tried playing without a chin rest. All to no avail.

The dermatologist said the only way to make it go away was to stop practicing long enough to let it heal. I wasn't ready to quit playing but the mark was making me feel really self-conscious.

I mentioned my problem to Rhiannon, who said she uses the Strad Pad and it made a huge difference to her skin and comfort. I took her advice and gave it a shot as I was at the end of my rope.

Well, the Strad Pad was the only thing that worked.

I've used it for only 13 months and the painful, sometimes even oozing or bleeding, marks under my jawbone have nearly disappeared! My skin is smooth and soft just like the rest of my neck and jaw now.

I also find that the Strad Pad cuts down on sweating considerably, which is great living for hot and humid La Jolla. This thing obviously keeps bacteria and moisture down. Though the pad is washable I admit I have not yet washed it, and still I'm not breaking out so I think washing it will make the healing happen that much faster for people.

It's also a lot more comfortable than anything else I tried. I used to have a bruised feeling in my jawbone when I played a long time in a sitting and that doesn't happen anymore.

It may seem like it's expensive, but getting it on sale at Fiddleheads takes the sting off and it's cheaper than any other treatments I have tried so far. Like Rhiannon said it still looks like new and I use it almost every single day.

Also it's American-made and from a company that's been around for a long time. A couple friends who play tried cheaper pads from China but the quality of the materials was really questionable and the pads only added padding and their marks didn't go away like mine did. If you are putting something against your skin, especially YOUR FACE, don't mess around with something you don't know what it's made from!!

I can't wait until I see the specialist after all the Covid hubub is over and see the look on his face when he sees I've healed up without medications or quitting the violin like he suggested.

You have to get one of these right now, before you have problems. Don't wait like I did!!

May 7, 2020
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