3 replies to this topic

[Lola Burns]

Most people don't NEED flawless skin. I do. It can't just be clear. Oh no. It must be perfect, luminous skin with no visible pores or even the tiniest of tiny fine lines. That's crazy. No one has that. But I am obsessed and I don't know why. I think therapy would do me some good. Or maybe some kind of support group. But even knowing that what I want is unreasonable, and knowing that wanting something unreasonable will just make me crazier and crazier as time goes on, the idea of letting go of the obsession feels like letting go of a dear friend. Anyone else ever feel like this?

[ishmaelish]

I`ve come to a realization that the ideal standard for the way your skin looks is set by people in your daily life.
I have had and still have terrible skin but I don`t obsess over it because nobody mentions it and I feel comfortable.
I know though that beter skin would open new doors for me so I decided I would try to find a solution.

My advice would be to first learn to be comfortable with your current skin before evolving to something better.

[Lola Burns]

The people in my daily life don't seem to notice much and when someone does say something it's generally a compliment. The point is, no one can talk me down from crazy. Even when my skin isn't acting up, I still have to examine it. I have to look for flaws to fix. I have to prevent future flaws. The way someone with OCD would tend to a rose garden. My skin doesn't make me shy or self conscious. It just takes up a lot of my time.

[the uphill battle]

I can actually relate. I think that having acne is what begins the skin obsession and constant close up analysis of it. Then when acne is no longer an issue, we still feel the need to examine our skin and search for imperfections maybe out of habit from the years and years of doing it. At least, that's my personal experience. And yes, it makes me feel like a crazy person. It also makes me feel incredibly vain. When my skin is broken out I think to myself "I will be so happy when these pimples are gone," then when I am clear I think "I will be happy once I get rid of all this scarring and red marks.." It's quite sad really. I don't think I'll ever be happy with my skin.