2 replies to this topic

[notagain21]

Hello,

I've discovered this forum 2 days ago, and with the problems I have it's a relief to see that I am not the only one being very insecure about the acne.

It all started on wednesday when I could barely sleep, because I was nervous about an event I would go to. My face was clear (sometimes I get so lucky that I don't have anything, and then I am really happy about that). But when I woke up, I felt this huge bump on my forehead. I looked in the mirror. It didn't have any redness to it, but worried that anyone might see that huge bump made me squeeze it.

Out came this clear liquid, and it still didn't look too bad. It wasn't a bump anymore, and it looked as if I had a small cut.
... The day after it was a huge red mark.

It is now sunday and it hasn't faded one bit. (((((

That wouldn't be so bad, but on friday as I was panicking about that one, I picked at another (pretty invisible) spot, which is now ALSO a huge red mark. I really started to feel like I wanted to dig a big hole and hide in it for a month until it was all gone. Worst thing was that I had to WORK with hundreds of people around me. Weird thing is, literally no one mentioned it..? While the spots are freaking huge.

Each time I think, TOMORROW IT WILL BE GONE. But each "tomorrow" I look at it, it's gotten worse or it looks exactly the same.... Everyone in the environment has clear skin, and I just want to have clear skin too. I feel worthless and ugly like this. I also notice that my behaviour changes when I have these spots... Instead of being enthusiastic and happy like always, I start to avoid people and conversation, and also I don't look directly at people anymore...

Does anyone have some tips for me? I am a 20 year old male and can't use these make up things... I just want to be able to do things without worrying about what people will think of me, if they think if I am ugly etc... Does anyone have tips that will fade the dark red marks away?

[snsdgirl14]

Yeah, that's what picking does...quite often, it makes the bump/mark even worse. I picked at a pimple on the inside of my nose and the mark ended up being WAY bigger than the actual pimple. Thankfully, the mark has faded quite a bit.

The good news is, red marks will fade completely with time. They won't fade in days or probably even weeks, but months. That's how hyperpigmentation works. It depends on your skin how soon they'll fade; how fast have marks faded for you in the past? But, rest assured, as the months go by, the marks will become lighter and less noticeable.

Also, two red marks on your face isn't bad. That's why no one mentioned it to you, probably. It's most likely less noticeable than you think.

If you want to try and fade the marks faster, exfoliating often helps (sloughs off the dead skin cells). You can also try some natural remedies: lemon juice, ACV, turmeric, etc. Google these and see what you think will work best for you.
There is also always the chemical hydroquinone which is said to fade marks quickly, but there is some controversy with this as some people think it can cause cancer.

Edited by snsdgirl14, 19 August 2012 - 08:29 AM.

[lilleskat]

I agree with snsdgirl, the marks will definitely fade with time. I know I felt the same way as you, and even though it took awhile (I mean who wouldn't want marks to disappear in one day?) they eventually did get lighter, almost to the point where you couldn't see them. Just give it some time!

I had a very large problem with picking too, earlier in the year. I guess I had to discover for myself that picking is very counter-productive to achieving clear skin, because I certainly didn't listen to anyone who would tell me that I needed to stop.