My Struggle with Acne

Like many, my acne began in my high school years, right around the middle of my sophomore year. At the time it was never anything serious, just a few pimples on my chin every now and then. I of course overreacted every time -- washing my face with large amounts of rough cleansers, and globbing on spot treatments every night; not knowing that it was doing more harm than good.

So slowly, but surely, it grew from 2 pimples here and there to 3 or 4, and the acne gradually moved up my face. It never bothered me too much, but as the months went on the condition began to worsen, and I began to get more self-conscious about it. I felt less and less confident about myself each time I looked in a mirror, and I wondered why all the different products I had tried weren’t working. Every time I tried a new regimen, it would work for a week or two, but then it was like my acne would adjust to it and come back like the wash was no longer effective. So all through my sophomore and junior year I fought a slow, but surely losing battle with acne. Every time my face would clear up the acne would only come back twice as bad as before. I was becoming miserable.

By the start of my senior year I had lost all control of my skin. I had minimal self-confidence, and hated going to school because I was so self-conscious about my face. I traded going out on weekends, and hanging out with friends for staying at home and playing videogames. I fell into a time of depression where all I wanted to do all day was lay in bed, and play games. Enough of the sob story already! It makes me mad that I let it ruin some of my high school years. Now a days I try not to let it bother me as much, or at all for that matter!

The bottom line is that we have all had our rough times dealing with acne, but instead of hiding away in the shadows, or feeling down it the dumps while hoping to find a cure, we should live our lives! To let acne control your life is a huge, regretful mistake; so always practice good hygiene by washing your face 1-2 times a day, and see a dermatologist to have your type of skin condition properly diagnosed. So from now and up until you have clear, acne-free skin... ease up a bit and live your life!

                  - JPC