We recently connected with Roxanne Cavazos and have shared our conversation below.

Roxanne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

In 2010, I was diagnosed with psoriasis. I had no idea what this was. All my dermatologist (at the time) told me was this, “Your biopsy came back, you have psoriasis, there’s no cure, my nurse will give you paperwork to fill out.” And that was it, he walked out of the room. I was left confused. As I said, I had no idea what this was, I had never heard of it. The nurse was also no help. she handed me paperwork, said to fill it out and fax it back to them, then she said I was free to go. I left the doctor’s office feeling helpless. When I got home, well let’s just say it was Google that became my best friend. There were so many articles on psoriasis which helped me understand what it was that I was up against. But every website stated the same thing: There is no cure.
This is such a long story, literally years, lol. I’ve been on this journey for almost 13 years now. But to break it down, the dermatologist who diagnosed me, made me worse. I went to another dermatologist, Dr. Mark Garcia in New Braunfels, Tx. With his help, the help of his staff, their patience, and understanding, I was able to look and feel better. It took almost 10 years to find the best combo of medication to help me personally (because with psoriasis, every person can be different. What works for 1 might not work for the rest). To Dr. Garcia and his staff, I am forever grateful for.
And this is 1 of the reasons, I created my blog- Roxie’s Polished Life. Not only do I talk about all things beauty related but I also talk about my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis journey, And with that being said, I also talk about the anxiety and depression that has come with it. I think it’s incredibly useful to help people know that they’re not alone. I want my blog to be a judge free zone.
I also hope to become more involved with psoriasis advocacy, For the past year, I’ve really put time into The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and I’m hoping to put more time and heart into the foundation this coming year.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved nail polish. I think it’s safe to say I can blame my Mom for that. One of my earliest memories is her painting my nails and toenails Revlon Red, lol. I can still hear her say, “Ok Roxie, now sit still for a little while, and let them dry, then you’ll have pretty nails that will shine like marbles.” I’ve always been that girly girl, but thanks to my Mom and Dad, I also have a bit of tomboy in me. I love sports and I can jam out to any heavy metal band at the drop of a hat (again thanks to my parents who were teenagers in the 60’s and to my older brother who loves all 80’s heavy metal bands). So, as I got older I remember thinking. I wish I could make a living talking about nail polish, lol. When I started my blog, within a year, Sally Hansen reached out and asked me to be a part of their Sally Squad and to also take part in their Amazon Prime Day. Let’s just say I was beyond excited and really had that- “This can’t be true” kinda moment (to which I don’t think I’ve ever really recovered from). I grew up loving Sally Hansen and every Christmas during my teenage years, my stockings were filled with Sally Hansen nail polishes. It had come full circle and I won’t lie, even today, just talking about it, I still get that teenage girl glee feeling. Since then, I’ve had different opportunities and my blog has grown to talking about not only nail polish but to all things beauty related. I also talk about health issues, so now I consider Roxie’s Polished Life a lifestyle blog. It truly has grown.
The plain fact is, I don’t sell anything. Have I thought about it or been offered? Yes. But here’s the thing- if I were to sell anything, I’d want the best quality. Because how can I do reviews on products, then turn right around and sell something that’s horrible? That’s pure hypocrisy and there’s no way I’d ever want to rip anyone off.
What I hope to create is a safe place, a judge free zone, where there’s no stigmas. To be honest, I think that’s what I’m most proud of. That I’ve been able to create a space like that, where there isn’t any stigma around the topics that I blog about. I always keep it real. When I receive a message or email stating how I’ve helped someone, well… my work is done. If I can just help one person who may be struggling with self esteem or anxiety/depression or psoriasis, then I know I’ve accomplished something worthwhile. There’s no greater gift.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The ultimate goal for me is to one day have my own Psoriasis/Psoriatic Foundation. I know it won’t be easy and I’ve researched so much on it, but I’m willing to put in the work. I know what it’s like to not have answers, to feel confused and helpless. I also know what it’s like to deal with anxiety that keeps you up at night and to have depression that can take you to the darkest of places. I’d love to help others with these issues. Just to help make a difference in this world. That’s what I’m striving for, to make a difference, I’m certain, there won’t be a cure for psoriasis in my lifetime but maybe for future generations there will be. And maybe, just maybe I can be a part of that, somehow.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Absolutely. To not hold grudges and to take things as is. I stated that the dermatologist who first diagnosed me with psoriasis, didn’t help me at all, he made me worse. He didn’t sign off on my paperwork for the proper medicine I needed at the time. With him not doing that, my body was covered almost 100% with white and red patchy scales, including all over my scalp and my eyebrows and eyelashes started falling off as well. I was in constant pain; I could barely walk. It wasn’t until I went with another dermatologist, Dr. Garcia who helped me tremendously. Not only did Dr, Garcia help get me the proper medicine (and he did this immediately) but he also explained psoriasis, the side effects of the injection I’d be taking, the long journey I had ahead of me and he told me what I could take for the pain, so that I could at least move around. As time has passed, almost 13 years to be exact and as I’ve looked back to the beginning, I’ve realized that it’s stupid to hold a grudge against the first dermatologist. There’s a reason for EVERYHING that happens in a person’s life. Good or bad. The bad – lessons to learn and maybe the bad are awakenings for better things to come. That’s how I see it, because if it wasn’t for the first dermatologist, then I would’ve never met Dr, Garcia. And Dr. Garcia changed my life. Because of his help, I now want to help others and he’s the reason I started to advocate for psoriasis. Unfortunately, Dr, Garcia moved his practice to another state a couple of years ago, but I hope to tell him thank you one day.
But don’t hold grudges, in the end, it’s not worth it. Take things as is. It’s what’s supposed to happen. Yeah, it may hurt and even anger you for a very long time. But believe me, in the end you realize how it was the best thing to happen. Because life will always bring better things and people (the right people) into your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: roxiespolishedlife.com
• Instagram: @roxie_cavazos_