Is it normal that i isolate myself because of my acne?

So I have very mild acne... Like I know it's not bad at all, it's just very persistent around my mouth and on my chin. Although the severity has gone down in the last two years thanks to the fact I'm older, 21 now, and on antibiotics, I have grown more and more introverted since it's peak at age 18-19. I'm totally OCD about it and am really frustrated that there's always something there. I isolate myself from my friends often and I exclude myself from social situations frequently. I used to be super outgoing and it sucks. I'm considering taking accutane to make it finally go away for good. So is it normal guys?

Voting Results
64% Normal
Based on 45 votes (29 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • hiddenhands

    Wash your face and eat health. Then your acne will naturally go away. I wouldn't be suprised if the bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics.

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  • Goomats

    Listen. I had HORRIBLE acne in high school and it was pretty bad in college and now I am 28 and still have breakouts. Don't let it scare you. Nobody looks perfect. Have fun anyway.

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  • flailyhailey

    I 100% understand and support you. I had a terrible time dealing with my own acne. Honestly, the best cure for it is time. I wash my face in the shower when I wake up, and again at nighttime before I go to bed. Here's my regimen if you're interested: first of all, I scrub my face with a clea, warm, wet wash cloth to get rid of any dry skin. Then, I use Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser, rinse, and use St. Ives Blemish Clearing Apricot Scrub. I pat my face dry with a paper towel (because towels collect dirt when sitting out, and toilet paper sticks to your face - also patting is better than wiping because paper towel is a bit rough and you don't want to iritate), and then I use a soft, round cotton pad to wipe Clean & Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Astringent on my face. Last, and definitely not least, I use Neutrogena 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment, all over my face. It's an amazing moisturizer. Keep in mind, that even if your skin is oily, you still want to use a moisturizer because it regulates the production of sebum. MOST IMPORTANTLY: literally never touch your face. I promise you, it is KEY. NEVER, EVER touch your face! Especially not to pick or pop.

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  • wistfulmaiden

    Its normal to feel bad about acne but try not to let it run your life. People don't care as much about your skin as they do about your personality.
    DONT take Accutane! It has very serious side effects including suicidal tendancies. Anyway Accunate wont necessarily cure you for good--acne is most often hormonal and it can still come back even after Accutane!
    Just take good care of your skin and if youre female look into hormonal treatments. I had acne on and off and taking birth control finally cleared my skin.

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  • suckonthis9

    No, do not isolate yourself.

    I had bad acne when I was young, but I kept trying to find someone, and eventually I found her, and fell in love. Unfortunately we were split apart; I wish I knew, and didn't make a few mistakes. At least I learn from them, unlike everyone in this world, it seems.

    This dead world is a mess people, if any of you still have a brain to think with.

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  • Darkoil

    I don't think internally ingested antibiotics can help a lot because the bacterial infection which causes acute acne is in sebaceous glands.

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    • wistfulmaiden

      they do help, but eventually you become immune to them and anyway, they cause much more problems in the long run.

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  • disthing

    Yep - it's common to be concerned about acne, and it's especially embarrassing when you've grown out of teenagehood and STILL have to deal with something you expect to have phased out.

    I also have mild acne and I'm 25, and I currently take antibiotics for it (which help only to a minor degree). I've also considered using something stronger, but my doctor doesn't consider it severe enough to warrant a prescription for accutane.

    There's a chance with accutane that you will have some pretty crappy side-effects. There's also the chance that, if effective, it won't be a permanent solution - some people find it recurs after they stop. But if acne really is something that is ruining your life, maybe you're willing to take that risk.

    What would be good, regardless of whether or not you take accutane, is to really try and put things in perspective. A little acne isn't nice, but it also isn't so awful that other positive features can't shine through; it certainly isn't worth shutting yourself away over. Think about it; what's worse than having acne? Letting your acne be the reason you have no social life. Perspective :)

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