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I want clear skin because Acne tells lies about me:
i must not eat well,
i must be dirty,
or *the worst*
i must have been a drug addict!
I swear, if i hear ONE MORE PERSON tell me I have "meth face," i will lose my freaking mind. that just takes the cake.
i am tired of people looking at me like i brought this upon myself. do they really think people want this? it's no wonder people living with Acne start to remove themselves from social situations. it can be very hard to introduce yourself to a new person (or someone you haven't seen in ages) and not imagine what they are thinking. even if they *didn't* think about your skin condition, it's hard to forgive and forget all the prior experiences.
but the question for myself is:
how much longer am i going to hold other people accountable for the way i feel? how much longer will i let these thoughts control me? i need to find my own intrinsic value. i must be more to myself than what i see in the mirror.
I know, it might sound stupid question for you, but try to think deeper, and answer. Why do you want to have clear skin? What is your purpose? What could give you clear skin, how would it change your life? Do you really need it?
I want it cause, I don't have it, and without cosmetics, I likely never will with or without seeking medical attention. Once damage is done, you can only make it better. It can't ever be fixed. I thought acne was the worst but, scars and permanent damage are the worst. All the praying, all the money spent on organics, nutrition, and medication were a lost cause. My dad says if I didn't do that, it may even be a lot worse, worst beyond my comprehension. Maybe he is right. It still sucks. I dispies my shitty genes but, I am trying to get past this, treat myself with love and respect. Meet some girls and maybe have a relationship. I bought a audio cd book that is about confidence from paul mckenna. It is no miracle but, it has definitely helped and doing the book and audio regularly, you strengthen confidence. You also need to take chances, go out when depressed, and be social even when you don't feel like it. If not, acne/scars/circumstances win. We can't let that happen.
How about at my age I've "earned it"! all the hell I've been through, all the pain and stress and humiliation, all of the times that were supposed to be special in my life have been ruined by acne! And yes I know I am having a "pity party" but so what! I think that we have all "earned it"!!!! I look at the kids I work with that could be my kids and they have the kind of skin I want. Most of them don't take care of it, eat whatever and never give it a thought. I bet they don't think about that one little brownie or a sip or two of soda or a french fry and think "OMG!!!!! I will get a zit from this! The emotional and mental and physical turmoil that this causes is unfathomable. I hate being "judged" by those that "freak" when the get a "zit"!!!! Zit my ass!!!!! its nothing but a tiny,tiny red dot! usually gone in about an hour cause they drank water, or washed it, or my favorite "bombed" the hell out of it with bp! Elf
I want clear skin because I want to be able to stop spending an hour or more covering it everyday , so i can go out more and meet people,and so that the bullying and years of comments can fade and I don't have to be depressed or cry over something I can conquer .
judging by your profile pic you look great (cute imo 
) Though all off that superficial stuff doesn't hold a candle as its all about the person as a whole. Dammit why do you have to live in the uk!!!! Ive always wanted to go there too.. i need to win the lottery- finish college, move to uk. that would be the life.sigh
Dammit why do you have to live in the uk!!!! Ive always wanted to go there too.. i need to win the lottery- finish college, move to uk. that would be the life.sigh
It's where all the coolest people live, obviously!
IKR!
I have a good friend in Dublin, Ireland, that i would just love to go see. He's the coolest dude i've met. But alas living in the states will have to do until i have the $$$.
;;
I actually don't want clear skin. What's the point? Sometimes I am clear and life's still the same.;;
hmmm I know what you mean...but still! One thing less to worry about when you're clear, righ?
,Yeah, you're right. I feel much better having nice skin. I've been fighting this skin problem for years and finally, a year ago.. my skin started to look great.
I want clear skin because beauty is associated with health in our society, and it is therefore a way to help you be successful in society. Do I agree with this view? Not necessarily. Outward appearance isn't a sign of good health. I know some clear skinned people who are eating fast food on what seems to be a daily basis and I can only begin to imagine what this has done to their interior health. Then you have people like me with acne who have done everything from these detox diets to vegan hell and we still have terrible skin. Regardless, society still says the clear skinned person who eats unhealthily is better. This is just reality. In western society, this seems to have carried on from the Ancient Greeks who placed an enormous amount of emphasis on looking perfect.
Your avatar? I used to work there. It didn't last long because I ended up quitting over my acne. You have to be so personal with the customers there and I couldn't stand the thought of trying to be chatty with people when my face looked terrible. The fact that most of my partners had perfect skin didn't make me feel any better. It just distracted me from being able to do my job properly. If I had clear skin, I'd probably still be working there part time (and it is a great place to work) and having the time of my life in college. But I'm not because I have let my non-clear skin affect me way too much.
I want clear skin because beauty is associated with health in our society, and it is therefore a way to help you be successful in society. Do I agree with this view? Not necessarily. Outward appearance isn't a sign of good health. I know some clear skinned people who are eating fast food on what seems to be a daily basis and I can only begin to imagine what this has done to their interior health. Then you have people like me with acne who have done everything from these detox diets to vegan hell and we still have terrible skin. Regardless, society still says the clear skinned person who eats unhealthily is better. This is just reality. In western society, this seems to have carried on from the Ancient Greeks who placed an enormous amount of emphasis on looking perfect.
Your avatar? I used to work there. It didn't last long because I ended up quitting over my acne. You have to be so personal with the customers there and I couldn't stand the thought of trying to be chatty with people when my face looked terrible. The fact that most of my partners had perfect skin didn't make me feel any better. It just distracted me from being able to do my job properly. If I had clear skin, I'd probably still be working there part time (and it is a great place to work) and having the time of my life in college. But I'm not because I have let my non-clear skin affect me way too much.
It sucks, its hard, its not easy, and makes you wana just dig a hole and crawl in. Believe me i know all to well. Yesterday i went to work knowing i looked like shit because retin-a made my face very irritated and it didnt help that my regimen is pretty harsh.Unfortunately, i didnt know how bad it was until i got home that night. I felt terrible because i had been to the clinic to pick patients up and had guests visiting their parents. It was a horrible feeling knowing that i looked like shit for lack of a better word. But that was yesterday and i have to move forward. So do you.
Last fall was the first time in the whole time i've worked their (4 years) that a patient actually asked what was wrong with my face [they did so because i had a really bad breakout then].It was almost heartbreaking and i couldn't answer truthfully. I ended up slipping away and not talking as much for months, i left work saying i was sick repeatedly. I got off easy because i had an excuse: my parents were getting a divorce and there was alot of fighting.
I somewhat am bouncing back, but because of all that i and you as well cannot let that run your life or prevent you from accomplishing goals or doing what you like or even must do. You cannot let it dictate your life. For me i love my job and so i use my love to conquer that evil so to speak that would prevent me from even leaving the house. You have to find something you like or want then go for it as something to combat that negativeness about feeling the way you do about the way you look. There are good people out there like the people i work with who know i do a great job and do not ever judge me based on my looks. My patients are counting on me to do my job. On an evening shift i have to take care of 23 people[ nights/noc shift is 46]. I cannot let what i look like prevent me from doing my job which is a big responsibility. I sort of create a mental block if you will and try not to let it bother me. I cannot let my looks prevent me from interacting w/ my patients as it is my job to do so and lemme tell you old ladies love to chat and especially to a male. WHen you show that your there for them, they in return show they care for you regardless of looks.
The right people know and dont care about whats on the outside.
In my rambling which is going nowhere all i can say is please seek help, please do not let it run you/run you down that far. As i tell my patients, i might not have the right answer, or even an answer for that matter but i am a great listener. I am here for you.
My experiences in life - or lack of, as the case may be - and how I feel about myself are down to how I responded to having acne, not due to the acne itself. The only thing not having acne and not having to worry at all about my skin would give me is that sense of being like so many I know of who don't pay attention to what they eat or to maintaining a regimen and so on. It just takes that stress away I suppose, not having to give it any time or thought at all. Otherwise, everything else - lack of confidence, lack of self esteem, lack of experiences, lack of social life, feelings of loneliness and depression - is down to me. The acne may have been the reason to start with, but it just formed a series of habits and behaviours. Rather than facing up to that and tackling it, I placed all the blame on the acne and used it as a crutch. I let the acne dictate what I did and how I felt for so long that I genuinely have forgotten how to be in charge of and accountable for my own feelings and happiness. In that respect, you could give me the most perfect skin but it wouldn't actually change anything about me or the way I feel. It would probably give me a bit of confidence, taking away that main insecurity, but the rest of it is about my perception of myself and how I've been too scared to face up to my fears and make changes in life. The fear of failing or getting it wrong or being laughed at is what has stopped me for such a long time, and only by reaching a point where my skin has finally started to improve after thirteen years have I realised that they are in fact two separate issues and the acne is actually the smaller of the two. In fact, that one actually seems like the easiest to fix for me. With the self esteem and confidence issues, it feels like that's going to be quite a tough journey.lol dude, gtfo. I don't even get why you are here. Your pic shows no sign of acne, the aftermath or whatsoever, and you are here posting everyday. It's starting to annoy the shit outta me. What the hell is wrong with you? Maybe the thing you need is a haircut?
Op, it is all about the confidence it gives, which is, in this case, feeling normal.
Wow.. way to tear someone down just because they finally found a successful treatment for their acne! Shouldn't we as members of an acne support site be happy for him? I can tell you that we would be for you when/if you conquer your acne as well. I personally think its admirable that PaulH85 takes the time to offer advice and support to others that are still suffering, he's seen the light at the end of the tunnel and is trying to give hope to others who haven't yet.
Now to answer the question... Clear skin gives me the freedom and confidence for me to be ME. There is nothing more beautiful and valuable than that in the world!
S I can feel pretty. So I dnt have to spend 30 minutes covering up my zits every morning. So I dont have to cut my hair into this stupid firnge...which relaly isnt bad...but I dont like it. So I dont have to worry about going int othe sun or daylight. So I dont have to wear fricken makup. So I can run ym ifngers across my frhead and feel...smooth. So I dont have to put this stuff on ym face everynight. So I jsut dont have to live life, WORRYING< CARING, and having everything be about my skin. Ugh. Its only mild, and at the worst time lightish moderate. But I hate it.
It has effected my mental health, my grades, my relationships or lack their of, and it has made me into a very self destructive person. Countless hours researching acne, acne cures, and other related crap.....buying face washes, creams, perscriptions....gives me anxiety and near mental break downs every single day.
And worst of all i'v probably done most of the damage by picking my skin. Popping cysts and small bumps until my skins scabbed and bleeding, and my skin does NOT heal well because I smoke AND i'm super pale.
It makes me feel OLD and aged even though im only 21, currently and in the future from all of the benzoyl peroxide iv put on my skin and other various crap.
It's not necessarily the acne I want to stop though...I think it's a manifestation of year of trauma and bad things happening in my life and I just want to control my skin...so now I am in a never ending battle which I'll probably regret later after I realize how much damage i'v done to my mind and my body because of afew friggen pimples.
It has effected my mental health, my grades, my relationships or lack their of, and it has made me into a very self destructive person. Countless hours researching acne, acne cures, and other related crap.....buying face washes, creams, perscriptions....gives me anxiety and near mental break downs every single day.
And worst of all i'v probably done most of the damage by picking my skin. Popping cysts and small bumps until my skins scabbed and bleeding, and my skin does NOT heal well because I smoke AND i'm super pale.
It makes me feel OLD and aged even though im only 21, currently and in the future from all of the benzoyl peroxide iv put on my skin and other various crap.
It's not necessarily the acne I want to stop though...I think it's a manifestation of year of trauma and bad things happening in my life and I just want to control my skin...so now I am in a never ending battle which I'll probably regret later after I realize how much damage i'v done to my mind and my body because of afew friggen pimples.
When i found out my cousin is getting his license.. ya that made me feel old. Im 21 as well. Sure shit i can go drink and do everything legally now but i dont care. All i do is feel old.
I'm pale, of course i somewhat say my excuse is because i work indoors. But again i tend to hang indoors on days off (that's changing this summer). Life goes by and im dragging along kind of feeling. I skin picked as well, seems like the only way to get them damn cysts to go away.
It does take a toll on your health; all three aspects of it i agree. And because of that i have done loads of research and spent alot of money on different shit to combat it. Even though i have it under control and healing i still am looking for products to "keep that pain in my ass" away for good.
I know im getting there but i still find it hard to look in the mirror. But i keep fighting. I hope you do the same and hope you find something that works. We've all been there.
My experiences in life - or lack of, as the case may be - and how I feel about myself are down to how I responded to having acne, not due to the acne itself. The only thing not having acne and not having to worry at all about my skin would give me is that sense of being like so many I know of who don't pay attention to what they eat or to maintaining a regimen and so on. It just takes that stress away I suppose, not having to give it any time or thought at all. Otherwise, everything else - lack of confidence, lack of self esteem, lack of experiences, lack of social life, feelings of loneliness and depression - is down to me. The acne may have been the reason to start with, but it just formed a series of habits and behaviours. Rather than facing up to that and tackling it, I placed all the blame on the acne and used it as a crutch. I let the acne dictate what I did and how I felt for so long that I genuinely have forgotten how to be in charge of and accountable for my own feelings and happiness. In that respect, you could give me the most perfect skin but it wouldn't actually change anything about me or the way I feel. It would probably give me a bit of confidence, taking away that main insecurity, but the rest of it is about my perception of myself and how I've been too scared to face up to my fears and make changes in life. The fear of failing or getting it wrong or being laughed at is what has stopped me for such a long time, and only by reaching a point where my skin has finally started to improve after thirteen years have I realised that they are in fact two separate issues and the acne is actually the smaller of the two. In fact, that one actually seems like the easiest to fix for me. With the self esteem and confidence issues, it feels like that's going to be quite a tough journey.lol dude, gtfo. I don't even get why you are here. Your pic shows no sign of acne, the aftermath or whatsoever, and you are here posting everyday. It's starting to annoy the shit outta me. What the hell is wrong with you? Maybe the thing you need is a haircut? Op, it is all about the confidence it gives, which is, in this case, feeling normal.
Wow.. way to tear someone down just because they finally found a successful treatment for their acne! Shouldn't we as members of an acne support site be happy for him? I can tell you that we would be for you when/if you conquer your acne as well. I personally think its admirable that PaulH85 takes the time to offer advice and support to others that are still suffering, he's seen the light at the end of the tunnel and is trying to give hope to others who haven't yet. Now to answer the question... Clear skin gives me the freedom and confidence for me to be ME. There is nothing more beautiful and valuable than that in the world!
i'm sorry but i don't even know how to feel happy for myself anymore.
i don't even know how to feel happy for myself anymore.
That's entirely up to you mate. I was once told that one of the key things it depended upon was whether or not we were living life in accordance with what we believed in and if we were living in accordance with our own personal values. A good example for me personally was that one of the things I valued was my interest in and ability to be creative with photography. I don't really give myself much credit for things but I enjoy photography and I'd like to be good at it. But I let my insecurities and so on get in the way and I'd think, 'There's no point me doing this when there are already loads of people who are way better at it than me'. So for a long while, I ended up fighting against whatever talent I might have had, and I wasn't enjoying that talent and creativity. That was one of the things I valued but I wasn't living in accordance with that or any of the other things I value and hold dear.
I suppose it depends on how you let your feelings about your skin influence things. Had I not let it bother me, I might have just been able to get on with things, but because I let it get to me so much and trigger all my insecurities, those insecurities have had a negative impact on all areas of my life that have nothing to do with my history with acne over the years. That's a cause of unhappiness, so I guess the trick there is to flip things around, try to swap some of those insecurities for positivity and self-belief, and in turn swap some of that unhappiness for happiness, which would perhaps follow on naturally. 