Is it normal that my acne controls my life?

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18 Comments

Ive had mild/moderate acne for almost 3 years, although most people reassure me that its no big deal, I can't help thinking that I will never be beautiful with my acne. Even though I know that it is totally normal for a teenager to get hormonal acne, I feel humiliated every time I go out in public. I feel like no one could ever like me and I have stopped wanting to meet new people in fear that they will be judgmental of my acne. Is it normal that my acne sends me into depression?

Voting Results
75% Normal
Based on 44 votes (33 yes)
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Comments ( 18 )
  • Aliceee93
    10 years ago

    It's what on the inside that counts, like you said a lot of teenages go through it, I did. Go to the doctors and get something for it, people will like you, don't let spots knock your confidence!

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  • thegypsysailor
    10 years ago

    It's probably quite normal to feel that way, but it's unhealthy and illogical.
    Though many people, especially the young and shallow ones, do make judgements about others at first sight, no one you should actually care to be friends with, is one of them.
    Your acne will most likely clear up and it will be a minor footnote in your life. Imagine what it must be like for someone with a real, lifelong condition (such as dwarfism, a birth defect, a chronic condition) must be going through.
    Accept yourself for who you are and live your life to the utmost. Don't hide away from the world because you think you are unattractive.

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  • FunkyMonkey
    10 years ago

    I feel for you, I really do. I myself suffered in my younger years with acne. Tryed everything until finally my doctor put me on a high course of Roaccutane. I too felt exactly the same but in this time I found the most beautiful women, both fell in love, went onto have two beautiful boys. I achieved this with a face full of spots and I could not look at myself in the mirror and not feel disgusted at how I looked, but was powerless to change it. Took the Roaccutane and the acne cleared up, confidence and self esteem grew! Hang on in there things will get better, get to a doctor, I had to see a specialist dermatologist, they will see you right!!

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  • robbieforgotpw
    9 years ago

    My gas tends to control my life and there's always the potential of me drawing mud at inopportune times

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  • green_boogers
    10 years ago

    Accutane is your ticket. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotretinoin

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    • disthing
      10 years ago

      That should ALWAYS be a last resort, not the first course of action.
      We don't even know the kind or severity of the acne OP has, so I'd refrain from recommending such a harsh prescription drug.

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      • green_boogers
        10 years ago

        I agree. He makes it sound really serious.

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        • disthing
          10 years ago

          Well he said mild to moderate. Obviously a doctor would be best qualified to judge severity, taking psychological impact into consideration.

          In my opinion, a good order of action for hormonal acne should be: topical creams such as those containing benzyl peroxide > if that doesn't work > oral and / or topical antibiotics such as lymecicline > if that doesn't work > accutane or similar.

          For females, sometimes going on the contraceptive pill (regardless of whether you're sexually active) can help.

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          • pokedex
            10 years ago

            XD I am a girl

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            • disthing
              10 years ago

              My bad!

              Replace 'he' with 'she' :)

              Also, as I mentioned at the bottom, if you're not already you may want to consider trying the contraceptive pill. Some girls find it clears their acne up.

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  • ThisIsImpossible
    10 years ago

    I had acne for 8 years, I've had a raging boner for chicks with acne ever since

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    I hear ya. Even worse, in the winter I get the dreaded backne and don't want to go swimming or wear light summery clothes.

    Your acne will pass :) dont be too harsh on yourself. Be nice and confident because that's what people will notice and care about more, not your acne.

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  • gorillaphant
    10 years ago

    Do you think people with acne are unlikeable?

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    • pokedex
      10 years ago

      No actually! Whenever i see others with acne, it doesn't affect how i view them at all! I've liked many guys with acne ranging from mild to severe and I didn't find them any less attractive. I guess i just think that people will view me as ugly or unlikable

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  • handsignals
    10 years ago

    Pretend you don't have it. Sounds dumb but it works.

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    • FunkyMonkey
      10 years ago

      If full blown acne is left to carry on you will end up with very nasty looking scars. Don't just pretend you don't have it, get to a doctor and get it sorted.

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      • handsignals
        10 years ago

        Didn't explain myself very well.

        Acne scaring is caused by 2 things, dirt getting trapped in the pours of the skin and stress.

        The first one is easy, wash your skin, a lot. The second one is tricky, I stopped thinking about it I just pretended I didn't have acne so I didn't stress about it and it went away.

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        • disthing
          10 years ago

          You can't scrub acne away. You can't reduce acne scarring or its causes by washing your skin a lot.

          It's the result of a bacterial infection of the sebaceous glands, and is usually caused by excessive production of sebum. Sebum is a natural oil our bodies produce. It's not "dirt getting trapped in the pours of skin".

          Scarring occurs when the trauma to the skin from the formation of spots is too great for complete scar-free healing to occur. The worse the acne, the greater the risk. Also some people's skin is more prone to scarring (less durability).

          Excessive washing can actually make acne worse. Stress can too, but stress is rarely the primary cause, especially in adolescence.

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