3 replies to this topic

[DattLoud]

Alright so my name's Joaquin, Senior in high school, and I'm 17 years of age. I have suffered from acne ever since I was 11 years old. It's always been a struggle of mine for years. Especially during all the times in attending school. By Junior year of high school I started seeing a dermatologist for a while and he would give me pills/medications to take for my acne, but It just wouldn't do it, until I went on a light cycle of Accutane for about 5 months. I still was getting breakouts so I had to go on another cycle for 6 months, but this time I was taking much stronger doses, 100mg per day. By the time I got done I was mainly clear of acne/zits, but I was still was left with scarring.

I finished my cycle sometime between June and July of last year. So it's been about 6 months since I've been off Acctuane. By now my face is a lot better than from what it used to be, but I still get breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, scarring, and my nose seems to have large pores. I've been washing my face with a Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser for a while now, morning and night, and applying Proactive Oil-Free Moisturizer after every time I wash my face. It's been going alright so far, but the only thing is that I still have scarring, darkspots, small breakouts on my cheeks/neck and it's something that really frustrates me because even though my skin is better than it was before, it's still not what I would want it to look like, and it makes me feel really bad sometimes because I just wish I could have been born with perfect skin, instead of having to deal with these emotional and psychological effects because my face isn't what I want it to look like....

 

It also has been a problem too with me trying to find a girl friend. For instance, some girls may find me cute or attractive but yet I still don't find myself too attractive when I really look into the mirror and see all my scars and small zits. My self confidence goes from high to low occasionally. Most of the time I may feel very confident in the way I look, but other times, like today, I look into a mirror, and think to myself, "how could anyone think I'm cute or date me with a face with all these flaws?", and it makes me feel very bad. I want to know what I should do, or what do you guys think of my skin? I was planning on seeing a dermatologist again to see if I should look into another cycle of Accutane, would that help my scarring any further?, or should I consider some type of surgery? Please comment on what you think. I would gladly appreciate it. Below I have attached recent pictures of me, no filters, just me in the light showing all the flaws I truly have. P.S. I have a scar on my nose which I hate, and which has been there for years now:( and I have dark spots all around my neck area/jaw line. Plese comment if you would want more pictures.

 

[dejaclairevoyant]

I think you're a good looking guy.

 

It seems to me that if the first two courses of accutane didn't clear you completely and you still have small zits, another course may just be putting your body through stress for nothing. It doesn't even look like you have acne in the pics. Your skin looks quite good to me.

 

Are your diet/exercise patterns/stress levels/sleep all relatively healthy? I'd focus on tweaking those small things and *mainly* focusing on keeping your stress levels down. I'm finding that stress plays the biggest role in my skin (over anything else, such as diet, skin care etc).

[annunaki]

To be honest the condition of your skin is not bad. I have seen individuals with a high degree of scarring, and or a bad case of acne still date/ be in long term relationship. Measures can still be taken if you feel self conscious about your skin. Many people on this site have had success using dan's regimen which involves treating the skin with benzoyl peroxide. Different procedures can be done to reduce the severity of scars ex. Microderm abrasion. I can relate that somedays acne can get you down, I suffered from bad breakouts for years. you are a very courageous person to admit that you struggle with this condition. I wish you the best

[IvyHawk]

Bro.

 

Your scarring is not that bad. Most of it can pass for freckles. I'd say that your face is doing great.  And I am not just saying that to boost your esteem.