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I've been feeling horribly negative and self-conscious about my skin all day. I moved into a shared uni house yesterday and have already got into a routine of hiding from my housemates whenever I don't have make-up on. Only this morning I had the nightmare situation of getting spotted by one of my friends with only half a face of make-up and I have rarely felt so ashamed in my life. I also had to do loads of meeting and greeting today in preparation for starting my new course on Monday which meant lots of conversations with people in really close proximity where they would have been fully aware of the horrible state of my skin.
To top it all off I have my first ever dermatology appointment tomorrow and I'm scared witless about it, not just because of the appointment itself, but also because I have to somehow make it out of my house and across town with no make-up on. I'm going to cover some of it with a scarf but if I'm unfortunate enough to come across anyone I know on the way it will be absolutely humiliating! I hate my skin so much. Why does it have to make even the simple things in life so bleeding difficult?!
Blah, not so good. Nothing I do makes me not breakout right before my period. I've got two new cysts yesterday (thank you Yasmin for getting me into much better mood, but... wtf with the cysts?? Haven't had them in a while...), just when the ib from Yasmin started to fade. Quite painful and nasty...
In a word frustrated. I`m frustrated that I still continue to experience minor breakouts on my jawline, neck and body at an age when all my peers have perfectly clear skin. Even though I don`t have severe acne, having any sort of acne at the age of 40 is not acceptable.
I've been feeling horribly negative and self-conscious about my skin all day. I moved into a shared uni house yesterday and have already got into a routine of hiding from my housemates whenever I don't have make-up on. Only this morning I had the nightmare situation of getting spotted by one of my friends with only half a face of make-up and I have rarely felt so ashamed in my life. I also had to do loads of meeting and greeting today in preparation for starting my new course on Monday which meant lots of conversations with people in really close proximity where they would have been fully aware of the horrible state of my skin.
To top it all off I have my first ever dermatology appointment tomorrow and I'm scared witless about it, not just because of the appointment itself, but also because I have to somehow make it out of my house and across town with no make-up on. I'm going to cover some of it with a scarf but if I'm unfortunate enough to come across anyone I know on the way it will be absolutely humiliating! I hate my skin so much. Why does it have to make even the simple things in life so bleeding difficult?!
I`m sorry that you felt so self-conscious about your skin today. I know that it wasn`t comfortable for you but I`m pretty sure that the friend who saw you with half a face of make-up and those people you met and greeted today either didn`t notice or didn`t care about your acne.
Just wanted to say that you are far braver than I was when I was your age. You are brave for for having the courage to live in a shared-house, you are brave for going to uni and you are especially brave for having the courage to go and see a dermatologist. I know it will be difficult for you tomorrow but I`m pretty sure that you can do it and if you do happen to bump into anyone on the way to the appointment, they are not going to judge you or even care about your acne. All the best for tomorrow. I hope the derm can do something positive to help you. 
On 9/20/2013 at 3:54 AM, GUNNKE said:I`m sorry that you felt so self-conscious about your skin today. I know that it wasn`t comfortable for you but I`m pretty sure that the friend who saw you with half a face of make-up and those people you met and greeted today either didn`t notice or didn`t care about your acne.
Just wanted to say that you are far braver than I was when I was your age. You are brave for for having the courage to live in a shared-house, you are brave for going to uni and you are especially brave for having the courage to go and see a dermatologist. I know it will be difficult for you tomorrow but I`m pretty sure that you can do it and if you do happen to bump into anyone on the way to the appointment, they are not going to judge you or even care about your acne. All the best for tomorrow. I hope the derm can do something positive to help you.
Thank you! Massively appreciated your support when I was panicking about my derm appointment last night.
Today I have several cysts on my back and they are really fricking painful! I also had my dermatology appointment in which I was told that a low dose isotretinoin course would be the best thing for my skin but that they were unwilling to prescribe it to me unless I get assessed and treated by a psychiatrist first - so unbelievably frustrating!
Ive started to get moderately severe breakouts after over a year of perfect skin on the regimen, which has been really fucking hard. I have a derm. appt. in about a month to discuss accutane and i'm scared to death of the initial breakout. The potential 'light at the end of the tunnel' is the only thing keeping me going at this point.
On 9/16/2013 at 1:12 PM, Randall Flagg said:It's been awhile since I've been able to able to check the forums, but just wanted to vent a bit since I feel like this is one of the only places where anyone could understand what's it like to deal with all the emotional crap that comes along with skin issues.
I've been on the Regimen for several months now and it keeps my acne pretty much completely in check (still get the occasional pimple, nothing too bad though) but for whatever reason I've just been feeling so depressed these past few weeks. Even though I don't have much active acne now I feel like my skin tone looks awful, I obsess over dark circles beneath my eyes...and I just feel so unattractive when I look into a mirror at work. I try to be nice to everyone but I find myself not really making any friends at work and even though I'm around people all the time I feel like I'm in my own little isolated bubble and I always feel alone. My reflection looks haunted...literally looks like someone who never sleeps and just looks unhealthy all the time. My old friends that still work there from when I worked there years ago all have new friends now and I always feel like an outsider...and that's my own fault because I let those friendships fade because I never wanted to be social back when my acne was at its worst.
I thought I was becoming good friends with a new girl that I work with but apparently she only wants to pick at me and tease me now...everyone wants to tell me that she has a "crush" on me and that's her way of flirting, but I don't like that and it just makes me feel like shit when she does that...this isn't high school and her goofing on me isn't going to make me like her. I treat everyone with kindness and expect to be treated the same way...but I guess that's just too much to ask for these days.
I'm just feeling so lost right now...alone and going through the motions of life but not really living. Maybe I'm just having a bad day but I at least wanted to get all this out instead of bottling it up inside. Thanks to anyone who bothered to read this, I hope everyone is doing well.
Hey Flagg
Sorry to hear things have been tough for you lately. Hopefully things are starting to look up now or will be soon!
Do you think asking that girl about what she's doing would change anything about what she's doing? Maybe you should talk to her or just forget it and move on? I'm not one to give out good relationship advice though so probably don't listen to me haha 
I think you're one of the nicest people I've come across on these forums though and I'm sure you'll find the girl for you soon.
And you're never alone - we can all relate in some way to what you're feeling. I think it's safe to say we're all here for you if you need to talk
Really good to hear the regimen is still working well for you by the way Just avoid the mirrors at work And remember lighting likes to play mind-tricks with us
Hang in there Flagg - hope things are better for you soon.
Hasn't been the best day for me. I feel like an idiot for going on a bit of a picking binge 
I've probably caused permanent damage now haven't I. How stupid. I know I shouldn't do it and it's actually been a while since I've messed with my skin (picking / squeezing) but I've been breaking out quite a bit lately and then once I start messing with it, it can be hard to stop.
I'll just have to hope that if I have caused damage, it's not too severe... and I'll have to try not to do it again....
Hey guys! Sulfur cream can really help you with your breakouts!
This week I got some cysts due to my period and had no cream to put on them this time (I can't just leave a pimple alone, always need to put a layer of something on it). My last tube of Duac was over and lactic acid cream doesn't real work on active breakouts, just the prevention. I would run and buy some Duac of BP but I happened to wait for my scholarship to be paid and... well, there were no money on my bank card. The only thing I found was the sulfur cream I used to some time on my scars. Being desperate about it, I put a thick layer of it on two painful cysts I've got. One of them looked pretty bad two days ago. Today, both cysts seems to be inactive/healing. None of them even came to head, just dried out and shrank. They don't hurt anymore and the redness faded as well.
I read that sulfur has some antibacterial properties and aids the healing. It can reduce the potentials of the new breakout. Try it, it can't harm anyway
That's great that the sulfur cream works for you Pianina!
I've used it in the past and couldn't stand it though It made my eyes slightly swollen the morning after using a thin layer of it, even though it was no where near my eyes! I was so annoyed when I found out I reacted badly to it because it has so many good reviews and seems to work well for a lot of people!
I'm pretty annoyed at myself for picking at this new zit I got a few days ago. I know it's one of those hormone related zits because I always get one or two a week before my period. I know i should be no big deal, I just wish I had more restraint. But gaaaaaah. It just feels so satisfying in the moment.
This just shows I'm not one who enjoys delayed gratification. LOL.
My boyfriend of 7 years finally proposed to me last night and I'm on cloud 9! I had a hormonal bump on my chin and some little spots from picking at my face, but I didn't let it bother me at all! I still felt amazing and had the most incredible day of my life.
My boyfriend of 7 years finally proposed to me last night and I'm on cloud 9! I had a hormonal bump on my chin and some little spots from picking at my face, but I didn't let it bother me at all! I still felt amazing and had the most incredible day of my life.
Congratulations!! I'm glad you didn't let acne keep you from having that incredible day.
Best wishes to you both.
so something's really been bothering me for the past few months. I've felt really ugly because I saw myself on video camera and pictures of myself have always seemed really unattractive to me. I could never quite figure out why. I've figured it out, finally! So, we're used to seeing mirror images of ourselves. That means that day in and day out, we see a reverse image. Our left is on the right and our right is on the left. Now, imagine if I showed you a line angled 10 degrees from the median. Then, I showed you that line angled 10 degrees in the other direction. You would notice the large difference in angling (they're going in opposite directions - that's a HUGE difference), even though both lines are only 10 degrees from the median. Another example is how you feel like you are blinded by the sun when you exit a dark room. It's ALL about perception! The reason we look so weird in pictures and video is that our brain has become wired to see our reversed image. Any asymmetries look exaggerated when we see our "real" image because they are in the opposite direction to what we except. Our faces look lopsided! So, never fear, what you seem to look like in a picture or video is NOT how you look. Disregard that! You look pretty much like what you see in the mirror. That's a fairly accurate representation of how people see you!
I'm having a really bad skin day today. It's my first day back at uni and I am broken out everywhere! Thank you acne for your customary impeccable timing!
I was quite generous with the Epiduo last night so this morning my make-up did not go on easily because my skin's a little drier than usual so I think it's going to have to be a day of no eating for me today because if I eat I just know my make-up will crack. Guess I'll just have to keep my stomach full with liquids but I'm sure the lack of glucose to the brain is not going to my low mood any good at all. I can't win!
I'm having a really bad skin day today. It's my first day back at uni and I am broken out everywhere! Thank you acne for your customary impeccable timing!
I was quite generous with the Epiduo last night so this morning my make-up did not go on easily because my skin's a little drier than usual so I think it's going to have to be a day of no eating for me today because if I eat I just know my make-up will crack. Guess I'll just have to keep my stomach full with liquids but I'm sure the lack of glucose to the brain is not going to my low mood any good at all. I can't win!
That's no good I hate starting back at uni or going to things where you haven't seen people in a while and your skin decides to breakout. I swear it has a mind of it's own
I hope the day turns out ok - try and eat something though I know what you mean about the worry of cracking/flakes and eating. Been there many times lately with the regimen.
It would be really nice to have longer lasting periods of 'really happy'...
I'll be lucky sometimes and for some reason just have a really good, happy week - like last week. Majority of last week, I was feeling good about myself and how I looked even though my skin was breaking out.
This week is completely different for some reason. Despite my skin still being broken out (and the breakouts are healing a bit too) I'm feeling rubbish, and back to not loving myself or how I look, and back to feeling sick of being alone.
Maybe tonight's just a bad night and that's why I'm feeling down. I don't know.
I am generally a 'happy' person I guess. Even though I feel like this, I'll still end up having a laugh and a good day when I'm out with friends. I guess it's just when I'm home alone with my thoughts, they get the better of me...
Monday mornings are bad enough, without 3 new bumps and a white head on my chin. I'm told old for this...
How old are you? I'm 23 and feel the same say...so rough to have to deal with this past the "acceptable" age for having acne.
It would be really nice to have longer lasting periods of 'really happy'...
I'll be lucky sometimes and for some reason just have a really good, happy week - like last week. Majority of last week, I was feeling good about myself and how I looked even though my skin was breaking out.
This week is completely different for some reason. Despite my skin still being broken out (and the breakouts are healing a bit too) I'm feeling rubbish, and back to not loving myself or how I look, and back to feeling sick of being alone.
Maybe tonight's just a bad night and that's why I'm feeling down. I don't know.
I am generally a 'happy' person I guess. Even though I feel like this, I'll still end up having a laugh and a good day when I'm out with friends. I guess it's just when I'm home alone with my thoughts, they get the better of me...
I totally understand what you mean. Some days, you can feel happy and think "Meh, a few spots on my face doesn't ruin my overall look and I can get on with my life without worrying about it!" But then other days, where you have the same-- or less-- acne, your self esteem can be in the dumps.
This is completely normal and it happens to every single person on earth. Some people are better at hiding it than others. Don't feel sad, your days of being lonely will come to an end and you will have fewer and fewer bad nights. There are days where I literally hate looking at myself in the mirror and would like to curl up in a ball and die, and then other days where I feel like I could achieve anything and everything I ever wanted. I think it's amazing that you consider yourself a happy person! Not many people can say that, so that makes you a really special person.
That's no good
I hate starting back at uni or going to things where you haven't seen people in a while and your skin decides to breakout. I swear it has a mind of it's own
I hope the day turns out ok - try and eat something
though I know what you mean about the worry of cracking/flakes and eating. Been there many times lately with the regimen.
Totally agree! My skin always has the absolute worst timing! Benzoyl peroxide and foundation are a really bad mix. Either I lather moisturiser on and look shiny all day or I put a normal amount of moisturiser on and have to not eat to avoid cracking and flaking. Such a pain!
That's no good
I hope the day turns out ok - try and eat something
Totally agree! My skin always has the absolute worst timing! Benzoyl peroxide and foundation are a really bad mix. Either I lather moisturiser on and look shiny all day or I put a normal amount of moisturiser on and have to not eat to avoid cracking and flaking. Such a pain!
Ughh yes! Such a pain! That's exactly what I've been dealing with lately! I'd love to be able to go out without foundation but I'm not ready to yet - especially since my skin is breaking out a bit lately.
It would be really nice to have longer lasting periods of 'really happy'...
I'll be lucky sometimes and for some reason just have a really good, happy week - like last week. Majority of last week, I was feeling good about myself and how I looked even though my skin was breaking out.
This week is completely different for some reason. Despite my skin still being broken out (and the breakouts are healing a bit too) I'm feeling rubbish, and back to not loving myself or how I look, and back to feeling sick of being alone.
Maybe tonight's just a bad night and that's why I'm feeling down. I don't know.
I am generally a 'happy' person I guess. Even though I feel like this, I'll still end up having a laugh and a good day when I'm out with friends. I guess it's just when I'm home alone with my thoughts, they get the better of me...
I totally understand what you mean. Some days, you can feel happy and think "Meh, a few spots on my face doesn't ruin my overall look and I can get on with my life without worrying about it!" But then other days, where you have the same-- or less-- acne, your self esteem can be in the dumps.
This is completely normal and it happens to every single person on earth. Some people are better at hiding it than others. Don't feel sad, your days of being lonely will come to an end and you will have fewer and fewer bad nights. There are days where I literally hate looking at myself in the mirror and would like to curl up in a ball and die, and then other days where I feel like I could achieve anything and everything I ever wanted. I think it's amazing that you consider yourself a happy person! Not many people can say that, so that makes you a really special person.
Thanks Heitea
It helps to know this is relatively 'normal'
Honestly, it feels weird for me to say that I'm a happy person - I think it's because it sounds positive and I'm usually so critical or negative of myself. But I am happy and positive about everything else in life and toward other people or for things to do with others but when it comes to myself it's a different story most of the time haha (if that makes sense..)
I guess last night was just a bad one. Today was good for the most part
Hope you're all doing well
I was taking ascorbic acid powder for a while, and still had some acne. I wasn't taking any other vitamins. I switched to Ester C and added Vitamin D3 and started breakout out pretty bad. I cut out all supplements cold turkey and it's only been 4 days but I'm seeing huge improvement.
so something's really been bothering me for the past few months. I've felt really ugly because I saw myself on video camera and pictures of myself have always seemed really unattractive to me. I could never quite figure out why. I've figured it out, finally! So, we're used to seeing mirror images of ourselves. That means that day in and day out, we see a reverse image. Our left is on the right and our right is on the left. Now, imagine if I showed you a line angled 10 degrees from the median. Then, I showed you that line angled 10 degrees in the other direction. You would notice the large difference in angling (they're going in opposite directions - that's a HUGE difference), even though both lines are only 10 degrees from the median. Another example is how you feel like you are blinded by the sun when you exit a dark room. It's ALL about perception! The reason we look so weird in pictures and video is that our brain has become wired to see our reversed image. Any asymmetries look exaggerated when we see our "real" image because they are in the opposite direction to what we except. Our faces look lopsided! So, never fear, what you seem to look like in a picture or video is NOT how you look. Disregard that! You look pretty much like what you see in the mirror. That's a fairly accurate representation of how people see you!
Thanks for saying this because it's my biggest insecurity. Everything you said makes sense. When I look in the mirror, the assymetry of my face seems minor, but in pictures, I feel disturbed by how crooked my face looks. It's a combination of being used to what we see in the mirror but also I think we tend to hold ourselves in the "best possible position" while looking in the mirror to have the best angle and look the prettiest. It's easy to adjust your angle ad look in the mirror in a way that makes you look cute, but it's a lot harder to figure out the perfect pose when someone takes your picture.