My Acne is Driving me to the Point of Suicide?

Question

I started getting cystic acne at the tender age of 9. I'm not kidding.
I was the first kid in my class to get acne. Some of them didn't even know what is was. The first day of fourth grade, a kid came up to me and said "DUDE WHAT'S THAT CRAP ON YOUR FOREHEAD?!?" I just ignored him, but inside I was terribly scarred.

Now that I am 17, I had already experienced years of torture. Yes, I do have a dermatologist. I've tried over 3 dozen brands of acne products, and nothing works.

I am constantly moody, and I don't think I'll ever be able to get married with my sesame-seed sized scars and volcanic face.


Please...save me from myself! :(

Answer 1

Nope. I was the kid who got acne when I was 10 as well. I had other girls ask me about it all the time. I went on everything under the sun. Eventually, I just went on Accutane twice. It cleared up, and even my scars went away. I used an exfoliating wash. I think it is hilarious that now I look ten years younger than everyone because of having acne when I was young for so many years. I was worried when I read your response though, because Accutane specifically has been linked to suicide. If you really have suicidal thoughts, then go to a doctor. Mention that you are concerned because you have taken so many acne products, etc. I promise it goes away. I've heard Proactive works as well, although I just used an over-the-counter wash for years. I know how you feel. My face was a different color than my neck for ten years it was so bad. Then my skin would peel off from medication or break out or both. It's not fun, and I agree people don't take it as seriously as they should.

Trust me. There are some ugly people who get married. Worry about having fun first, and then wait to get married. If you're a guy, you don't have to worry about not being able to kids, so wait until you're 50 if you want to. Seriously, there are some really ugly people who get married, and I have a feeling that your acne will probably clear up soon.

Answer 2

I can imagine what you are going through now. Currently 23, my cystic acne used to drive me to the point of wanting to rip my own face off cos I couldn't stand to look at it, what with people making comments about my face all the time since secondary school! I don't have a dermatologist, though I've tried all kinds of over-the-counter products. Over the years, I have narrowed down my regime to 3 main ingredients after a skin doc advised :
1. Wash with any cleanser (one with glycolic acid is best),
2. Then a product containing salicylic acid 2%,
3. Finish off with a product containing Benzoyl Peroxide.

I've been on that regime for the last one year, and my acne has cleared up well.
In the beginning, I included an extra in the 3 steps above:
Bought the Apricot Scrub with Salicylic acid 2% for blemish skin, and used it as a 5-10minutes mask 2-3 times a week for 2 months, prior to cleansing my skin.

Consistency and patient is key, any good product will take at least a month to clear up your face. The BP targets surface breakouts, the salicylic acid targets breakouts yet to come out, and the glycolic acid (if you choose to add that), prevents breakouts from forming at the root. If you don't like BP (Benzoyl Peroxide), another option is 15% Tea tree oil - that takes longer to see results, but you don't go to sleep thinking your BP will rub off on your pillows. ;)

Have patience. Good luck to you. I no longer try any expensive brand names for my acne, which has subsided to mild acne, and slowly on the way to clear skin. I changed my BP to Tea tree Oil 3 months ago, and it's starting to get clearer than before. Still, BP works better when you are just starting out.

Last note: Oxy's 5% BP don't work as well as Anacyl 5% BP for some reason - but I cannot find Anacyl in stores anymore, so swtiched to Tea tree Oil. The effect of 5% and 10% BP is the same, so dun waste yr money on a 10% BP. Try other brands of BP.

Answer 3

If you’re looking for accurate acne information, best to see a dermatologist. Some people believe doctors are predisposed to take the easy way to deal with acne… prescription drugs. But, with many, this simplistic answer may not be the appropriate course of action. Some feel that such prescription drugs just treat the symposium and not the underlying cause. But, a local dermatologist is still your best starting point.

For me personally, I discovered a great informational acne treatment site. Not only is there good information/articles but I got their audio e-book and following it’s advice can now say that my acne is a thing of the past! Keep in mind, were all different and there are various types of acne, so what works for some may not be totally effective for all.

Bottom line, hang in there, you will get past this! Sincere best wishes and good luck.
Oh, by the way the site that helped me is:
http://www.acne-treatment-medicine-1.info

http://www.medical-research-study-directory.info/
http://www.lasik-surgery-san-diego.info/
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us
http://www.san-diego-plastic-surgery-cosmetic-surgery-doctors.us/

Answer 4

Has your dermatologist suggested Accutane? I went through a bout of adult cystic acne. After several different topical treatments failed, my dermatologist put me on Accutane. It worked and I've not dealt with it again since (4 yrs ago).
This medication is different because it is not a topical ointment, it's a pill. Some of the side effects take some getting used to--severely dry lips and skin, and any female on it MUST use two types of birth control (due to high risk of birth defects); but it was all well worth it.

After you've dealt with the acne, there are treatments to reduce the severity of the scars. It won't always be this bad, I promise.

Answer 5

About your fear of not getting married... please don't be worried about that. I was once (and I'll admit I still am a bit to this day) very much in love with a guy who happened to have scars like you had mentioned. I never asked him how he got them, but I assumed he had had acne when he was younger (he's in his 30s now). I thought he was just absolutely beautiful, both inside and out. I did notice his scars the first time I met him, but after a while I didn't even "see" them anymore... they just blended into the beautiful masterpiece that was HIM. (Sorry for being all cheesy and mushy!!) Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is to not worry about not being able to get married... someone out there is bound to love you for who you are, scars or no scars :)

Answer 6

First off, if there is anything this condition has probably given you is the ability to see people beyond the superficial. I'm guessing this because this is probably always something you wanted. That right there is a prize. Let me tell ya something, superficial people end up with superficial people because no one else could stand them. In a way, you are lucky because the person who is going to end up with you is going to see you for who you are - not what you look like. Thats a very good thing, you will avoid lots of heart ache from superficial people just because you have bad skin. Trust me - you might be lonely, but its better than being with the wrong darned person.

As far as the skin - Darlin, people who are not picture perfect get married all the time: short people, very tall people. obese people, handicapped people. It will happen...don't try to imagine the worst case scenario right out of the gate - you haven't even started life yet. Contrary to what a lot of people say, high school is NOT the high point in life (and I feel sorry for a lot of people who think it was)

In the meantime - save your pocket change everyday - do this for a while. (I bought a 5,000 dollar car that way, it adds up) and someday in the future, you tell your doctor you want to do whatever he thinks is medically necessary to make you look better. This might include skin peels, etc. Make it a long-term goal starting now. I'm all for doing whatever it takes to make you feel better about you - but don't do it for other people.

Answer 7

ok alot has to do with you,1st of all you control most of it.if your on the beach i bet your rface clears up.i also bet if life is good your feeling like a millon buxs its clear. if any of this is true e mail me i tell you the rest. if not then its something that ive seen in many like this,most are females,most have mania, if any of this is you drop me a line. also im 42 and went thru it they had me on tetracyclene and it permnatly stained my teeth yellow.western meds wont cure it.im not selling anything nor do i ask anything. just shareing what has work't for me

Answer 8

im 12 and i have a little bit of Acne but its not that bad i find it always help when you wash ur face! and so i do that 2 times a day and my face is ok i know some girls who u can bearly see thier real skin because is all red and covered with pimples!!!
so dont feel bad

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

Don't take accutane. Don't use Pro Active. Use this instead because it works soo well for me. It'll clear up your skin in a month. After that your skin will glow.

Info and review:
http://www.niquehappy.com/blog/2006/12/06/forger-pro-active-try-exposed/