@waitingforacure

Thanks for sharing that information.
I only wish 'hope' gave me my last few years back (with clear skin of course).

@ALL

The best way for us to overcome depression that we get from acne scarring, IMO
is to continue looking for treatments that will help us. The only problem is, time keeps going by.
I wish life would have just been put on hold when I was 15 - 16, to correct my acne,
not scar and live a normal life. I also wish I never cared so much about this stuff and let it ruin
years of my life. But hell, we gotta keep trying to correct our scarring, either that or go insane
trying to accept the fact that your life will never be the same again. It's a bumpy road with nothing
but depression, but I'm not letting my youth fully slip by without trying. As down as I am right now,
and trust me, I'm down... I know that if we actually try, there is hope.

PS: I've been on this site for 10 years already, through every stage of acne, acne scarring and
acne/acne scarring induced depression. *sigh* Good times. lol

SNDR, Hey I've been on here as long as you, and I know it can beat you down, but you really don't look so bad from your pics you posted. The filler did help you, although not perfectly, and fillers never will. I had a few rounds of silicone when that was big and it didn't help me much. Actually, I wonder if it is causing swelling around my scars at times, so kind of regret it. But I am happy now (as happy as anyone can be) even with scars. What are my other choices, to be miserable? From viewing your pics, you should be able to find a counselor and get past your depression. It's possible, probably far more possible than finding the perfect scar treatment. Happiness is found in one's mind, not other's perceptions of you.

I've been wondering when do you guys notice that your condition gets worse, Summer or winter ? I Myself have never had any inflammations or severe acne in winter but when it's summer if a half-hour goes by without spending 10 minutes under the tap that's where It gets inflammatory and causes me scars/red marks/hyperpigmentation.

I try to aviod sun as much as possible to prevent ageing, and not show my scars i have prewtty olive skin and i like it v much, done 2 tca cross maybe a frical laser but they rekon it can thin skin. I tryed roller but i think i was doing it to hard and maybe made it worst idk but i stooped that and tryed tca cross and not rolled

@tricia

Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciated.
Yeah, they actually look even better now,
compared to when that picture was taken.
(Still can't pretend and lie to myself that I'm happy with the results though).

I probably should see a counsellor, but I have this feeling
where, it will help, but it won't correct my issue.
I cannot help but care as much as I do about this, and I don't
think any form of therapy would be able to rid me of that.
I definitely would benefit from coping mechanisms, moving on
with my life, etc., but to be truly happy like this? I wish I could.
It's so hard to put into words, how much I don't want to care
about acne scarring, yet it consumes every aspect of my life.

I never had trouble meeting women, but I always had trouble with
how my scarring appeared to them, regardless if I was in a relationship
or not. IMO, the best way through this is to constantly
try to improve my skin condition to a level where I can accept it, as vein
as that sounds. Counselling would definitely be good for helping me
manage my life, but in terms of becoming as happy as anyone could be?
I don't think it's possible without being happy with the state of my skin condition.

This all must sound so pessimistic, vein and depressing, but believe me,
I want to change back to being the outgoing, ambitious, happy-go-lucky person

I was before acne & acne scarring ruined parts of my life.

@Khaled91

It depends on the year, for whatever reason, but I get a few small pimples during either summer or winter, but they fade rather quickly.
However, no change in state with my hyper pigmentation or acne scarring.

Even with scars I was hot in school. But never had the confidence to talk to girls. Life is already hard and its even harder with scars.

I don't understand what kind of scars you're talking about that seem uncurable? Are they very bad? How deep? And are you just not in a position financially or emotionally to go with procedures?

Yes I do and it sucks that that's not my only stress/depression problem I go trough.single mother that deals with a stubborn 12 year old way to bring more pimples to me..lol.and my boy is fine lets just thank god for that,but all of the stress besides my life and face makes me down with noone to talk to makes me wanna run to the beach and cry but then I remember I hate being social

I just want you to know you are not alone.thats not the way to go you gotta think do u wanna die unhappy? Or live and find a fix/cure?

Plus do you know wht you would cause your loved ones? When I feel that way I put myself in my families shoes and think wht if that was my sister? Friend? Brother? Mother?...it's just not the answer

Adam instead of an easy way out why not save save for laser? I'm getting done the repair after I get my face clear she said I have some minor scarring ugh! Hate it but wht can I do just wait but I'm exited to know that's what I will look foward to in the near future

@cutie1991

Was that question direct at me or the OP?
If it was directed at me, my scars are not deep,
but they bother me none the less.
However, they were deeper before.

@Jenjen84

Good luck on your journey!

SNDR, I understand your feelings, because I have been there. I felt like I must try to fix my scars to be happy...so I tried, and tried, and maybe some got better but then I ended up getting a few more, LOL. The fact is I was a perfectionist about the whole thing in the beginning. I placed a lot on looking good as a woman, especially. If treatments work, then that is great. But people talking here of quitting jobs for down time, or perhaps taking out loans they can't afford, those are dangerous thoughts. When you are desperate and do desperate things bad stuff will usually happen. I'm older now (39) and I think with time and experience more than therapy, people learn to be happy in their skin. I have some other health problems now I am trying to deal with and I think when I just get much healthier the skin will start looking a bit better. But I don't anticipate the scarring to ever truly leave. I have to put those dreams of perfection away. I actually like myself for me, and if you learn to accept yourself others will too.

dad said ive ruined my skin blah blah blah had to put duck tape to cover my skin to really see how beautiful of was 8 years ago meh, i'd rather be dead today cant see any reason to live when i have no motivation no goals anymore to conintine living this worthless live

when i was 14 my dad looked and me and said your skin is gonna be scarred so bad ...if he only knew how bad my soul would be scarred from him saying that ...i hope in my next life i don't go down this road ...i haven't seen anything good come from it yet ...i don't look at girls or make eye contact with them ...i thought i had a gf once for a year but she abandoned me when i stopped spending $$$ on her so maybe she never really was my gf just all in my head ... ahhh its nice to vent

i was gunna go help my freking dad in his shop and his the one putting me down, i say fuck it no point comminting suside gunna call the 2nd best dermertogaly in brisbane, the west side derm in brisbane kept fucking with me and then said i don't need the tca cross. I got more then enoght money, sports car , and i just need to get this improved to a point where i dont have to stress or put make up, if that day comes, i will have no problem living a normal life,

i don't remeber the last time ive gone out without make up expect for maybe night time where i just stay with my mates in the car, such is life cant go back in time and stop the acne or if only i didn't pop them, guys i want to share what my skin looks like but i cant work out how to upload it any ideaS?

Hello all! I've read a few posts. Wow... It brought me back, where I was a few months ago. I felt the same. Depression, crying, not going out. BUT! During my holidays I decreased my obsession about my skin (especially analyzing my skin in the mirror and taking pictures in many different lightening).

No, it didn't help my skin, but I am not THAT depressed anymore. I've chosen to be happy, or at least to be less sad...

Guys, there is a hope for all!

You don't trust me? There you go:

And there are many many more!!!

Myself, I did a couple of derma rolling treatments and I am taking everyday collagen powder + vitamin C. I am planning to do more (subcision, TCA...) And my husband told me a few days ago - your skin looks better, it is improving (he met me with a beautiful skin so it is sooo hard for me). I know, there is still a long way to go. But I am not giving up!

Did you try it ALL?? I did few laser treatments, yes it did not work and I was depressed, but there are so many treatments for us! I know, that there are people with excellent skin around us and we feel envy and angry, why do WE have to suffer? But this won't help us! It will make our life more miserable. We are fighters and we will win this battle! But without hope and with giving up constantly, it won't work!

I saw a documentary about a model, who was a victim of an acid attack. Her whole face was destroyed. She looked like a monster. Her story was so inspiring for me! She was a fighter!

Remember, your scars look the worst only to one person in the world and that is you!

Do you feel these treatments are too expensive? Whatever! Money is nothing, if is on your account. Invest it in yourself. I told to myself, I am not going to buy any new phone, bag, rings...but invest in my skin. The most important is my happiness

One day, the scars will be just a memory for you. Like a bad dream.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US!

Hey guy's, i'm back home and the depression and desperation has lifted enough to allow me to decide to not quit my job. Instead i'm actually thinking of finishing my 2 more sessions of infini, which i'm not too hopeful about, and then getting subcision done with fillers.

Initially I was always against fillers because I, like many of you, wanted a permanent fix rather then something so temporary. But i'm done chasing after treatment after treatment hoping that one day my collagen will build enough to restore my skin. I'd rather just pay the money and look decent and be happy for a few months. I just hope that I will be a good candidate for fillers. I guess I'll find out on my next visit with him.

If anybody has any positive experience with fillers please do share

Hey guys, hope you're all doing ok. I started my fraxel re:store course, so far it's looking bright. I didn't have too big expectations from the first session as it was promised to me, that I'll see 15% of improvement and I'm sure that's exactly what I got. Every % matters when it comes to improvement. I was told that I'll need approximately 5 sessions, it's a lot of money, but I'm borrowing them from my parents, who aren't even rich, but they understand how important it is for me. I'm really thankful.
I became a bit more obsessed with my scars after getting fraxel done, because I was forced to follow the progression and it affected me negatively. So now, when the result is final, I started avoiding any bathroom mirrors. I literally use the wc and wash my face in darkness. It helps a lot to keep my spirit, cause I'm not staring at my scars so much. Bathroom mirrors are terrible! Who invented such unflattering lights lol Don't look at them, it's not how other people see us!! Scars are not that visible in normal room lights

Hey guys, hope you're all doing ok. I started my fraxel re:store course, so far it's looking bright. I didn't have too big expectations from the first session as it was promised to me, that I'll see 15% of improvement and I'm sure that's exactly what I got. Every % matters when it comes to improvement. I was told that I'll need approximately 5 sessions, it's a lot of money, but I'm borrowing them from my parents, who aren't even rich, but they understand how important it is for me. I'm really thankful.

I became a bit more obsessed with my scars after getting fraxel done, because I was forced to follow the progression and it affected me negatively. So now, when the result is final, I started avoiding any bathroom mirrors. I literally use the wc and wash my face in darkness. It helps a lot to keep my spirit, cause I'm not staring at my scars so much. Bathroom mirrors are terrible! Who invented such unflattering lights lol Don't look at them, it's not how other people see us!! Scars are not that visible in normal room lights

How was the first treatment?

Hope it goes well for you!

Ok, I had to seriously take a few days to reply here, because I went to a dark place again. Why? Because stupid me decided to go on a drive with my parents (so out of character), and I took my iPad to read a book on the way so I wouldn't think about my skin. Well, it was sunny, and the light hit my face from the side (afternoon sunlight is shudder inducing). I tried so hard not to think about how my skin was looking. I usually mentally and physically cringe when light hits my face, especially from the side. Well, I caught a reflection of my skin on my iPad. That's when the world went black. I had to ( of course :/) see my face in the black reflection screen on my iPad when it is in standby mode. Has anyone ever noticed how your reflection from something that is black or silver backed (such as car windows, blank IPad, or the silver side of an iPhone) makes your skin look A BILLION TIMES WORSE, especially when the sun hits you from a bad angle?

Well, let me just say, never ever look at your skin in such circumstances. I couldn't stop though. I had to look, and assess the degree of damage, and then look away. Argh! My right jawline has a huge boxcar, some smaller pits, and the worse- a hypertrophic scar that sort of pulls at the skin a bit and looks like a jagged pimple because it is raised and round. That's just my right jawline!!! FfS!!! I've had two panic attacks at work, and cancelled plans, locked myself away when my brother and his fianc©e came over (because they look like supermodels and have perfect skin! Not fair!). Anyway.....

@pineapple

I'm glad the surprise went well. Your neighbour probably wished they had someone sneaking around to surprise them .

Maybe if you're more open to your new boyfriend, you can get to a similar level of comfort that you had with your ex? I know that's sounds easier in theory....

I wish for the day when I'll be able to stay in bed with someone, but I shall prob have similar anxiety to you.

I also admire those who live their life regardless of scarring. I've also let my dreams die. I was so driven from five years of age. I've worked hard to try attain my dream, but sadly, it all has gone slowly to pieces. I had so much potential, I (apparently) have a high IQ, was top of my school, have been top of my school/department at uni, yet I'd give all that up to have nice skin. Crazy right?

The worst part is that I still have acne (though it's mild now) so no one will look into scar revision for me until it stops, but it never does, and no one knows why, after all I've done.

I'm sorry you cried and were so depressed. I was also outdoorsy, I lived to be in nature, now I haven't been to a beach or anything in years. PM WHENEVER YOU NEED TO OKAY???

That being said, that's great that you've found the courage to continue your scar journey. And I totally agree with you about the fillers. Even if it is temporary, a few months of repose from our suffering is worth more than gold (thought we need gold to continue to keep it up lol). I'm happy you're feeling better

@SNDR

You have great facial features dude. Your fillers look great also. More importantly, your skin looks healthy and unblemished. My skin is crinkly, crepey, hyper pigmented because if my continuing acne, and scarred! But I know each is relative to each individual. Hope you see more improvement thanks also to both you and Pineapple for the offer to private message. The offer is extended to you also, both of you, whenever you need to okay?

@khaled91

I'm so sorry you are suffering mate. I know what it is like to have scarring and still have acne, so you can't do anything about the scarring yet. What is your current regime?

@missamua

I totally get you when people say something about how you look! Heaps of people have been kind enough to say my scarring isn't too bad (note: that means it is still visible in my opinion) or whatever, but the worst experience I had was going to a psychologist and finally opening up a bit about my skin issues and self esteem issues. She was okay, until she said I should just come accept that I'm not good looking or beautiful, and proceeded after to show me a pic of her nephew who is on a TV show here and is a model. Okay, maybe I'm not good looking, but in that moment of vulnerability and confession, such an acknowledgement cut really deep and ruined me worse. I've found it hard to trust professionals since then. Lucky I now have found a good one.

@imad

Please pm me if you need to talk. I know that when you feel you've made it worse by trusting the wrong people/picking/ not being patient, the depression is so much worse. I'm here if you want to talk dude. Are you from Australia? I read about the derm you want to see in Brisbane. I'm from Australia also, and have looked at Westside dermatology in QLD, which seems to be good. Except I can't afford to fly their ATM.

@imad and rob

Parents can be so insensitive at times. Gah, can't they just see how much this hurst their children, and try to find a solution? Or be there emotionally?

@Pianina

Goodluck on your journey!!!!!

@tricia

I, as an entertainer, and the personality that comes with it, will never be able to accept my current state of skin, even if people think it's not that bad.
It's not like I'm choosing to care about it. Some people have the mental strength to accept themselves with scarring. I cannot. If I haven't in 10 years, then I must be doing something wrong. What works for one person, will not work for another. I appreciate your positive feedback, but it's literally, not as simple as you make it out to be. In my case, I strongly think that being smart about it and continuing the search is the only way I'll overcome depression.

@Sydboi

Thanks man. I appreciate your kind words. It means a lot to me to have people reach out that understand our condition.
Many Aussies here at Acne.org. Maybe I should unveil that I'm a Melbourne Bounce/EDM Trap DJ/Producer from Toronto, Canada
You should give my stuff a suss sometime, but I'd only link you in a PM because I don't want to advertise myself on here

Sydboi - omg its so familiar! I catch my reflection on my phone's screen when it goes dark and just cant believe how bad it looks, uuugg! not to talk about taking pics in direct sunlight, hate hate hate!!! ill only look at myself in yellow room light haha

@Sydboi

Been there felt that I avoid looking into my phone screen or anything dark and reflective like laptop screens, car windows, doors, etc. I know it must have been a terrible feeling to see what you saw but please understand that is not how they actually look. No one else's sees it like that. At least that's what I tell myself if I ever catch my reflection in those horrendous circumstances.

I'm so sorry to hear that you had to avoid your brother and his fianc©. It sucks you shouldn't have to do that. You should be out there enjoying their company but it's too difficult to do so when you feel so upset over the unexpected reflection. It can sure bring a person down. I understand I've been there. When I feel that broken down about my scars I could care less to be in the company of anyone. Forcing myself to be somewhat "happy" and personable when inside I just don't care.

But all that aside please remember what you saw in the iPad is a skewed reality.

@SNDR

Hey I'm considering fillers and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me as I don't know anyone else who has had this done with such fabulous results. My scars are very similar to yours as well, are those rolling or boxcar? I was wondering how long your filler lasted? And in regards to your after picture... is that immediately after fillers or is that how your skin just looked until the filler faded? Have you ever gotten it done again? Sorry for all the questions :$

If my skin could look like your after with fillers man i would be so happy!!

Sydboi thanks mate means a lot, woke up today and seems like the scaring from my secound tca are making my skin look full tho i think this stuipid bitch used 65% tca cross on lower eye area where skin is thin, yeah west side derm has good derm, tho their service and booking is almost laughable. They say they will call you for a oppointment they never do, i have to call them mouths after to make oppointment , i had went there for a consultation paid freking 180 idc about the money at the time i was suscuale anyway and they never send me a quote in mail and i tryed to make a appointment again and that fucking scott webber shit fucker said i don't need anymore tca cross gtfo. I had went to some other joint which seems like i was their first patient and fucked that up a bit but i have a bunch of products so the after care helped a lot.

I'm currently looking at some other place that does punch excertion, subsuction, tca cross, I accutally have 50% tca cross which i could probly do myself seems like i did a better job then that fuking derm anyway. I've had so many gourugus girl want to go out with me but because i wear fucking make up u can't really see how bad my skin really is either that or im in some shit mood, when i look at my 2005 year book photo i had perfect skin omg sexy olive skin best smile of the whole year book, and everytime i compare that i shed to many tear, when u have so many girls after you and it gets to a point where it was getting annoying is how good looking i was, i now i have to deal with this, if only i could go back in time and knew this much aobut acne i could have not picked them went there early because i suffered with this for 7 or 8 years, i tryed doxcliicyen but it didn't really help, i tryed accutane once and i coundn't get it up and that scared me so i stooped. I think my skin was becoming less oily and didn't need it

These mood swings are sooo difficult to handle. I was finally beginning to feel excited and hopeful about possibly getting subcision and fillers to make these scars look better albeit temporarily. But now my messed up mind is thinking the worst. What if I go and my derm just tells me I'm not a good candidate for fillers or whatever. Man oh man that would suck because this is my last glimmer of hope. I hate how I've become such a pessimist. So tired of being disappointed with treatments. So hard to recover and never see results.

I feel like an idiot too. Today all I did on my day off was sleep in, eat, scour the internet for subcision and filler treatments for scars, feel extremely happy and hopeful, feel scared I'd get rejected for this treatment, take some photo's in extremely unflattering flourecnet lighting to gauge improvement from last treatment, realized there is none, felt extremely sad about the state of my skin in those photos, deleted photos, ate some more, got asked by family if I was feeling sick because I clearly looked not well, lied that I was, and now I am going to take a shower and pass out at the beautiful time of 830pm... Hahaha what a waste of a day!

Seriously this depression and these mood swings are just too much. So hard to be constantly up & down. On top of all this my boyfriend and I are on a break because we've been fighting so much. He told me I was beautiful, and I pretty much made a stupid remark and rejected his compliment which led us into another silly fight, which led us to taking a break. At this point I don't even care about our relationship feels like he deserves someone with less insecurities. I was always such a hopeless romantic but now I just find myself not giving a sh*t!

IF u wanna feel rejection joing a dating site ...i'm on two and email girls constantly and they won't even respond lol u really start to understand what your future holds ...

@ Rob

That must be so disheartening. I feel you. I get down too. I wanna get settled down and have a family one day but starting to think my future may not hold that for me. It's definitely not a comforting thought.

Sometimes I wish we had a little island where people would live who have scars. Our own little community, where we would understand eachothers burdens and insecurities. Dating would be a lot easier as everyone would kinda be in the same boat. We would only have flattering lighting and people with clear, smooth skin would feel like they were the outcasts. Ahh who am I kidding, smooth skinned folks would appear to us like angels from above in an island of scars. So we'll just not tell them about our secret place.