you need to get an exfoliating brush or a scrub (you can get these at any drug store or walmart, target, etc-- just ask someone).
you should use more sites (at least 3 total)- you want to give a site at least 1 days "rest" every week (preferably 2 days). Though its not essential it is reccomended. Also since its getting cold make sure you store it some place warm, if it gets too cold the actives can drop out of solution. and shake before use.
some of the active you put in dermovan may reach the blood stream, which might account for the water retention. Though it also might be that you are getting poor uptake of the AIFM, so if exfoliating makes a difference