11 replies to this topic

[snsdgirl14]

I know I've been posting a lot lately but I just need to vent. I had an awful acne breakout six months ago that made me feel so ugly and obsessive about my skin. Thankfully, now, my skin is under control. My acne is gone and most of my PIH has faded. While I was studying abroad a month ago I picked at some dryness next to my lip and caused this abrasion like spot right there. It's slightly darker than my skin and is not nearly as dry anymore but still quite dry. The skin there looks a little different too. I've been to two different derms who said to just put Vaseline on it at night and it'll probably look better in a few months. But I find myself doubting them. I'm so angry that right when I'm clear from acne, I have another skin issue. It's pretty small and realistically I know I am over exaggerating it. No one has noticed it and even the derm had trouble finding it on my skin. But I notice it, and can feel it a little when I smile or open my mouth wide. It's like this constant nagging thing on my face. I feel so depressed that I'm honestly scared for myself. I'm scared I won't be able to control my emotions and focus on school when I start classes. I'm scared I'll lose my friends because I'm so sad and not acting like myself. Even with acne I felt better because at least I know how to handle acne. With this, I have no idea what to do. I have no idea when it will get better or look better. I feel so lost and hopeless that all I want to do is cry to my family, but they get annoyed because they say I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I know something is wrong with me and I hate that my skin dictates how I feel. I was on vacation this past week with my friend's and it made me feel better but it was still on my mind all the time. I can't focus, it's the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last before I sleep. I don't like looking in the mirror anymore. I just feel so pathetic. I can't imagine going through life feeling this feeling all the time. If I knew it would improve in a few months, I'd be happy, but I don't know. I just don't know what to do and I feel bad because I don't have acne really anymore and I know that this sounds very minor. But in my mind it's major and I feel so depressed. I just want to be happy and myself again. I feel like a different person. Thank you to whoever can offer advice.

[Need Solutions]

Hello,

Im sorry you are dealing with this, I know how it feels to hate it every time you look in the mirror. If its just a tiny thing on your face that nobody can see its probably best just to leave it to go away on its own.

Also it sounds like you might have acne dysmorphia. Which is like more of a mental thing, Where you see your skin as far worse than everybody else, and something that nobody else can even see, may feel to you like its disfiguring your whole face.

type in acne dysmorphia on google and see if it sounds like you might have this.

Hope this small dry patch manages to go away, Cheer up

[Neve]

You're worth so much more than this. I don't think your attitude will change even when this does clear. I am trying so hard to understand you but, I can't. I don't even know what you look like but, I am sure your beautiful. But being constantly down on yourself won't make anything easy for you. Follow what the derm said and surely this will pass in several months. The big issiue is that you need to look at yourself in the mirror and be proud at what you see, it should be pride not for your clear skin. But for how strong you were to get through this. There are so many worse things that you could be going through. Being able to love yourself will make it so easy for the world to love you back. You don't want to be arounnd people who dislike you so why put up with a downer attitude. Be posotive think about ALL your great qualities, and even your faults. But bad skin is not one of them. Almost everyone suffers with acne or other skin troubles sometime in there life. So forget about judging yourself and just shut up smile

I wish all the best and hope you can understand that soooo many people love you, but the only person who needs to is yourself.

[Fluorescent]

I know this is going to sound selfish and what not, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who goes through this. I have the same problem, not exactly the same issue or anything, but when I had real acne I knew how to control it. However, I still have some left over discolorations and left overs and my face just doesn't look great all the time like I've worked so hard for it to be, especially after fighting acne and finding my cure. The reason I say I'm glad I'm not the only one is because I too can't concentrate on anything other than that imperfection(s) that is there, and I can't concentrate on school or anything. I thought I was the only one who had this problem, because it seems like everyone who has something that bothers them really doesn't because they are still all confident and work completely fine, and also have fun and everything. But I can't, because I know it's there, and I have no idea how to get rid of the left over things and therefore I just can't do my work with total motivation, or have any fun. It's hard to explain, and I know it's hard to understand. I;ve told people but they just don't ever understand because they say "just forget about it and be confident!" It's just impossible because I don't feel good either when the problem is there. However, some days it is better than others. I'm working really hard to never have to worry about this stuff anymore for when school starts so that my skin (and overal appearance) will always be the way I want it so I can concentrate and always do one hundred percent in school, or even better.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice because I am having the same problem. I have a lot to say but I'll just leave it at that lol. Anyway, I understand you completely. I hope you find a way to fix it and get your confidence!

[Lapis lazuli]

I know I've been posting a lot lately but I just need to vent. I had an awful acne breakout six months ago that made me feel so ugly and obsessive about my skin. Thankfully, now, my skin is under control. My acne is gone and most of my PIH has faded. While I was studying abroad a month ago I picked at some dryness next to my lip and caused this abrasion like spot right there. It's slightly darker than my skin and is not nearly as dry anymore but still quite dry. The skin there looks a little different too. I've been to two different derms who said to just put Vaseline on it at night and it'll probably look better in a few months. But I find myself doubting them. I'm so angry that right when I'm clear from acne, I have another skin issue. It's pretty small and realistically I know I am over exaggerating it. No one has noticed it and even the derm had trouble finding it on my skin. But I notice it, and can feel it a little when I smile or open my mouth wide. It's like this constant nagging thing on my face. I feel so depressed that I'm honestly scared for myself. I'm scared I won't be able to control my emotions and focus on school when I start classes. I'm scared I'll lose my friends because I'm so sad and not acting like myself. Even with acne I felt better because at least I know how to handle acne. With this, I have no idea what to do. I have no idea when it will get better or look better. I feel so lost and hopeless that all I want to do is cry to my family, but they get annoyed because they say I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I know something is wrong with me and I hate that my skin dictates how I feel. I was on vacation this past week with my friend's and it made me feel better but it was still on my mind all the time. I can't focus, it's the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last before I sleep. I don't like looking in the mirror anymore. I just feel so pathetic. I can't imagine going through life feeling this feeling all the time. If I knew it would improve in a few months, I'd be happy, but I don't know. I just don't know what to do and I feel bad because I don't have acne really anymore and I know that this sounds very minor. But in my mind it's major and I feel so depressed. I just want to be happy and myself again. I feel like a different person. Thank you to whoever can offer advice.

So you don't have acne anymore...you have the luxury of being able to study abroad...you go on vacations with friends...but regardless you're unhappy because you have a small, dry, dark spot on your skin?

[Ghostunit]

I know the feeling. My skin is under control, I don't get cysts, just blemishes. The problem is that I have a lot of dark marks that is taking so long to heal. My cheeks looks bad and I always visualize having clear skin, no scars, etc. I woould have a lot of confident and would be much happier. Since scars does bother me, I might consider laser treatment in the future. Grrr... I am waiting 'till I stop breaking out. I also need to save up

[Need Solutions]

I know I've been posting a lot lately but I just need to vent. I had an awful acne breakout six months ago that made me feel so ugly and obsessive about my skin. Thankfully, now, my skin is under control. My acne is gone and most of my PIH has faded. While I was studying abroad a month ago I picked at some dryness next to my lip and caused this abrasion like spot right there. It's slightly darker than my skin and is not nearly as dry anymore but still quite dry. The skin there looks a little different too. I've been to two different derms who said to just put Vaseline on it at night and it'll probably look better in a few months. But I find myself doubting them. I'm so angry that right when I'm clear from acne, I have another skin issue. It's pretty small and realistically I know I am over exaggerating it. No one has noticed it and even the derm had trouble finding it on my skin. But I notice it, and can feel it a little when I smile or open my mouth wide. It's like this constant nagging thing on my face. I feel so depressed that I'm honestly scared for myself. I'm scared I won't be able to control my emotions and focus on school when I start classes. I'm scared I'll lose my friends because I'm so sad and not acting like myself. Even with acne I felt better because at least I know how to handle acne. With this, I have no idea what to do. I have no idea when it will get better or look better. I feel so lost and hopeless that all I want to do is cry to my family, but they get annoyed because they say I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. I know something is wrong with me and I hate that my skin dictates how I feel. I was on vacation this past week with my friend's and it made me feel better but it was still on my mind all the time. I can't focus, it's the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last before I sleep. I don't like looking in the mirror anymore. I just feel so pathetic. I can't imagine going through life feeling this feeling all the time. If I knew it would improve in a few months, I'd be happy, but I don't know. I just don't know what to do and I feel bad because I don't have acne really anymore and I know that this sounds very minor. But in my mind it's major and I feel so depressed. I just want to be happy and myself again. I feel like a different person. Thank you to whoever can offer advice.

So you don't have acne anymore...you have the luxury of being able to study abroad...you go on vacations with friends...but regardless you're unhappy because you have a small, dry, dark spot on your skin?

Its may be a psychological thing rather than a physical problem. It may seem hard to understand to other people and seem like they are just been a perfectionist and making a big deal out of nothing, but to the person involved its clearly a big deal for it to be having so much of an impact.

Ive read about acne dysmorphia which is basically body dysmorphia with acne. In which the person in question see's their skin as been much, much worse than it actually is, when in reality its just a minor blemish on an otherwise clear face.

This could well be what's happening in this case.

Either way I hope she gets the help she needs.

[snsdgirl14]

You're worth so much more than this. I don't think your attitude will change even when this does clear. I am trying so hard to understand you but, I can't. I don't even know what you look like but, I am sure your beautiful. But being constantly down on yourself won't make anything easy for you. Follow what the derm said and surely this will pass in several months. The big issiue is that you need to look at yourself in the mirror and be proud at what you see, it should be pride not for your clear skin. But for how strong you were to get through this. There are so many worse things that you could be going through. Being able to love yourself will make it so easy for the world to love you back. You don't want to be arounnd people who dislike you so why put up with a downer attitude. Be posotive think about ALL your great qualities, and even your faults. But bad skin is not one of them. Almost everyone suffers with acne or other skin troubles sometime in there life. So forget about judging yourself and just shut up smile

I wish all the best and hope you can understand that soooo many people love you, but the only person who needs to is yourself.

Thank you so much Honestly, your post was so nice. That really made me feel better, thank you.

So you don't have acne anymore...you have the luxury of being able to study abroad...you go on vacations with friends...but regardless you're unhappy because you have a small, dry, dark spot on your skin?

I know how ridiculous and stupid it sounds. I've known it for the past 3 weeks that this has been affecting me. That's why I don't talk to anyone about it, because I know what their reaction will be. I'm trying really hard to not let it bother me because I know I have a lot to be grateful for. And even though I don't have acne anymore, I still get zits from time to time, and I still have hyperpigmentation from past acne. So it's not like my skin is flawless.

Its may be a psychological thing rather than a physical problem. It may seem hard to understand to other people and seem like they are just been a perfectionist and making a big deal out of nothing, but to the person involved its clearly a big deal for it to be having so much of an impact.

Ive read about acne dysmorphia which is basically body dysmorphia with acne. In which the person in question see's their skin as been much, much worse than it actually is, when in reality its just a minor blemish on an otherwise clear face.

This could well be what's happening in this case.

Either way I hope she gets the help she needs.

Thank you for your support. I agree that I think I have something close to acne dysmorphia. My skin is honestly so much better than it was six months ago, yet I'm still feeling sad over it. I'm going to start seeing a therapist soon which I think will help a lot. I'm also reading books on anxiety and such....so hopefully it'll help.

[Binga]

Why don't you post a photo of it so that we can actually see what is bothering you and how to get rid of it?

[Lapis lazuli]

I hope she gets the help she needs.

Me too.

[Need Solutions]

I hope she gets the help she needs.

Me too.

=)

[Lapis lazuli]

I hope she gets the help she needs.

Me too.

=)

lol