5 replies to this topic

[smoothkstone]

Hello, I am new to the site and have looked at different things that I can do to my scars. I am currently on doxy and am on my tenth day of using the honey mask, which seems to be working fairly well. I have had horrible acne in the past, and get a few here and there now, so they are not totally gone. I started to get acne around age 12-13 and I am now currently a 19 year old male with bad scars. I know they told you not to pick at them when we were younger, but we all did. The peer pressure, stereotypes, and the world is all about looking good now a days. I dealt with acne all those years in school so I tried to get clear by picking them away. Having acne makes you want to pick at them away because we want to be like everybody else. We view ourselves as different and not that it's a bad thing to be different, but when how you feel about acne gets to a certain point, then it hurts, bad. I can honetly say I have zero confidence, even though I try to fake it as best that I can. A few months ago I finally got help for depression, and I still don't believe it was some sudden life event because it wasn't. I have been dealing with it for a long time, probably around 3-4 years, but currently got help. If you have depression symptoms, don't wait as long as I did to get help. I now not only have physical acne scars, but emotional and mental scars. I know the root of the problem was my acne all along, although others might not know that I take things very hard about it. I am now on fluoxetine, a generic prozac, and that seems to be helping with the depression, and have been seeing a counselor. They can ramble on and on about how to not think about your imperfections and trying to get rid of the negative talk all they want, but I just can't kick it. Okay, so maybe I was thinking about trying some concealer for my acne scars. Problem is that I have acne scars all over both my cheeks and it will take a lot of concealer/ makeup, but I think that I should try this, just to try to fake some more confidence and feel better about myself. I have looked at some products that others have said that work well, but I'm wondering if they have used it for their whole face. I have read different articles about it but, would like to get a personal opinion directly from somebody. I also have had blackheads on my nose forever and have pore strips, scrubs, popping, bobby pinning them out, but nothing works, so can I also cover my nose with concealer. I have oily skin and while some of these things might work, the blackheads always come back.

Would like some opinions from anybody, male or female dealing with concealer tips or recommendations. Also, anybody else who wants to talk about their depression experiences, treated or untreated, can comment.

[EWWpimples]

Try Ambi fade cream for the scars. Also gycolic acid is good for scars. I got some from the dermatologist; not sure if you can just get some in the store. There's also different laser treatments you can have done. Good luck!

[smoothkstone]

Thanks willl give them a try. How is it going for you?

[Orangees]

Hi there! Stay strong! (Y) I hope your acne problem and any other difficulties you are facing are starting to see a better light! It's hard to see others with perfect skin and I know it sucks to have no confidence to face the world because all thats important in the media is looks looks and more looks! I think it's horrible, but for teenagers and many adults, we just can't get out of the zone of looking perfect!

Let me see if I can help! So, yes it is very bad to pick at your pimples! If you're still doing it, i think you should make your new years resolution to be: stop picking at them!

For me, I don't like to put too much stuff on my face, because I don't want to clog any pores and I have very sensitive skin. However, if you choose to, choose anything that is oil-free and non-comedogenic. What I like to use instead of foundation is a tinted moisterizer! Theres a really good brand called : Chantecaille , but its pretty pricey! Aveeno also has tinted moisterizer! You can also try using a mineral powder! you'll need to try them out! For me, i have sensitve skin, so I had to be very careful. Physician's Forumla and Clinique mineral/powder is pretty good! But I stopped using them, because I just love tinted moisterizer! I think tinted moisterizer is best for the whole face and if you have any other imperfections, you can dab concealer on the red spots!

As for oily skin, make sure to buy some oil-blotting face paper! I LOVE THOSE. they work wonders for blotting the oil off the face. You can get some from shoppers drug mart!

By the way, if you find your skin to be red or irritated, I truely reccomend a face mist! (fragrance free- best) I use Avéne thermal water face mist and I love it! I have sensitve skin and sometimes it gets red, but after using it for like a week, my face is so much smoother and red-no more!

Good luck on your journey! Acne is hard too treat! Make sure you use good products and not too harsh products for your skin! By the way, always put yourself in a good mood! Good mood = less stress = less hormone changes = less sebum produces = less acne!
I know its hard to always be in a good mood, but just try your best!
You`ll always have support from friends, family, and people from Acne.org!

Let us know how things are going!

Beauty is from within*

[juliet81]

I suffer from everything you do. My face is chock full of different kinds of scars. Mostly atrophic. The ones that look like "craters". I hate usingthat term). My depression got so bad, and my self-preception got so warpped, that I turned to drinking and taking prescription Klonopin just to cope.

I didn't start getting acne until I was well into my twenties. At one time I considered myself a reasonably attractive person. Not stunning but I was able to look in a mirror without gasping in horror (like I do now). I picked at my pimples and cysts for the exact same reason that you did.I believe it to be a learned behavior from my mother who also suffered from adult acne, but never had a trace of a scarto show for it.
Anyway, I am still suffering from this awful affliction. Iencourage you to stay in therapy and don't let it turn into a dysmorphic disorder the way I did. I also take psychotropics for my depression.

As for concealing scars, there's this guy who has a youtube channel named EnKore who is a makeup artist and also has visible acne scars and does an awesome job concealing them. I would post a link but not sure how to on my phone. Lol!

Have you ever tried steaming your face to rid your blackheads? I find this helps. And a baking soda scrub once in a while. I'm pretty broke, so I try to find cheap and effective ways to rid.

Good luck to you, and know you're not alone.

[gtturbo2]

+1 for tinted moisturizer. I use the dermatologica one its fairly expensive. While it doesn't completely conceal scars it certainly takes the edge off. All the best