From a Teenager's Perspective!!!
by Samira
(Canada)
Having acne is no joke. Though sometimes, I wish it was, for all the stress it puts on a young teenager’s mind. I was in grade 5 when I started getting acne. There were so many red bumps and dots on my forehead that I would look in the mirror and cry. There were seventy-five of these red dots to be exact. It was horrible. I had to wear ugly headbands every day at school because my mom thought the sweat from my bangs was giving me acne. I didn’t even have bangs. At night I would swallow two vitamin tablets to improve my skin texture...
My acne went away for three years. Now it is back,even though not as sever as some cases, it bothers me when I look in the mirror.
My parents seem to think that it is just something I will get over, like strep throat. They don’t understand. When I’m sad about my face they’ll say “stop being emotional.” I don’t know about you, but when someone tells you to stop being emotional, you are bound to become much more so. It’s hard.
When I look in the mirror and the dots cover both my cheeks, it feels like it’s the one thing keeping me from feeling beautiful. It’s harder when my mom talks about the most beautiful person to her is a model with perfect skin. She doesn’t even call me beautiful. I get a head rush when I think about how my acne affects me. The worst thing is my parents have given up on me. I wanted to try Proactive but they told me they didn’t want to waste their money. It hurts inside. I pleaded and begged them to take pity on me, which is the most embarrassing I’ve ever had to do.
However, the best thing that has worked for me is keeping positive, to not give up and to not pick at my acne.
I do not want scarring so it’s more a preventative act than anything else. Of course there are times I want to pop them, teenagers and adults, refrain yourself! Stick with your skin regimen and be consistent. If there are other teenagers out there who are going to dermatologists, I beg you, stick with someone you feel comfortable with.
One of my friends is scarred for life because she used Accutane. She had severe back problems because of it and all the meds and creams they were prescribing for her were extremely harsh. Be comfortable with what you are doing for your skin. I was recently using a harsh cream prescribed by my doctor and it was making my skin peel and flake, even though I USUALLY have oily skin. What is making my acne fade is after I read your site, I have been trying lemon juice!! Amazing stuff!!
If you are parents reading this, be supportive of your teenager, not like my parents. Teenagers, STAY positive out there because so many of us are going through the same thing!!
Yvette's reply: Samira, thanks so much for such an honest story! I remember how tough it was for me when I was a teen with severe acne. People just don't understand how much having a problem like this can restrict you from doing so many things (fear of going swimming without makeup, fear of being in direct sunlight, etc).
It's even worse how many people think acne should be a simple fix. It's not. It is a very complicated disease.
Anyhow, I'd like to tell you what a great attitude you have! And I am glad that the lemon juice remedy is working for you. I am currently compiling a home remedy book for acne problems, which I will eventually put up on my site thanks to the level of interest from visitors - so stay tuned everyone! And thanks for your support for this site!