Unhealthy damaged skin from acne effecting my self esteem..

[{JoeCool}]

Ever since I was 13 I developed acne and I've been having it for years. Over the years I've visited derms,tried various products and I've messed my face up completely. Nothing seems to help me. My skin has scars and I have bags under my eyes and I look very rough. Now I know men are not really suppose to worry about stuff like that but it has really effected my self esteem over the years. I had a horrible teenage experience because of it. Before the acne, I was carefree,very popular and I had great self esteem and once I hit middle school and developed the acne, I became the total opposite of what I used to be.People started teasing me about my face,some called me names and hardly any females were interested in me at all.I also started looking awkward in appearance and puberty messed me up. What kills me is that they always say my face is the issue and if I had clear skin, I would be handsome. But I can't get rid of the horror and the damage done to it.

Now at 23, the acne has died down a lot but I have a lot of roughness and messed up skin. I don't have that healthy appearance like people my age does.Which is still getting me down.. I would like to feel confident and attractive but I don't feel that way. I don't even have the guts to talk to female because I always flash back to the eww your face or your ugly comments from school.

Nothing works for my skin so I feel pretty helpless. My skin's complexion is shot,my skin looks very dirty,rugged and old with scars on it. I just don't know what to do.. I guess I'm going to have to try to feel comfortable with my skin looking the way it does..

[greensleeves]

There have been alot of advances in what can be done for scarring. Have you visited a good dermatologist lately to see if they can do anything to help?

I know it isn't easy, but try to forget about the comments that were made to you when you were a teenager...kids can be extremely cruel.

[Gracelove]

You should go to a dermatologist and have them bleach the spots out of your skin.

That's all there is too it.

It burns a bit, but in a few weeks the spots will be completely gone and you'll look flawless.

[{JoeCool}]

Originally Posted by greensleeves

There have been alot of advances in what can be done for scarring. Have you visited a good dermatologist lately to see if they can do anything to help?

I know it isn't easy, but try to forget about the comments that were made to you when you were a teenager...kids can be extremely cruel.

I've heard about different things like surgeries and lasers that can peel off the dead skin of your face and let newer healthier cells grow in but that costs a lot of money which is something I don't have right now.. So I'm pretty screwed in going to a derm for the time being.

[CallingAllAngels]

have you ever tried philosophy skin care products? they are marketed towards women, but can be used by men. I agree you should see a dematologist, but if you can't afford one, check them out.

i have used them with great success. you can find them on [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] or [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

the best thing is on qvc, you have a 30 day money back guarantee!

[Lucy__lou]

I understand that you want to have nicer skin, and that good looks help in life, but here's a story...

I am a bit shallow, and like to have good looking people around me, and I might not be inclined toward giving much time to someone if I don't like looking at them. And this was the case with a very obese man I worked with. I didn't really give him the time of day in the beginning, (not in a mean way, but I just didn't bother talking to him). But he would greet me politely and pleasantly by my name, even though we hardly knew each other, and he always gave off a peaceful and courteous vibe. And he clearly had a lot of self respect and dignity. He clearly thought he was an ok person. And you can bet I wasn't going to ignore him anymore. His nice manners went a loooong way.

Attractiveness isn't just in appearance, it's in the voice and the personality. So if you can't fix up your skin, you can make women forget what you look like by being nice.

[BeStrongBeHappy]

Go to a dermatologist. There are all kinds of treatment for that, including dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser surgery. It removes the top layer of skin to expose fresh smooth skin underneath.

Many cosmetic surgeons now have payment plans because they know insurance companies won't pay for cosmetic surgery, so try a cosmetic surgeon.

[3boys]

You can also buy over-the-counter microdermabrasion kits that work almost as well as the more expensive treatments you get at a doctor's office. They take a little bit longer, but I've known people that look amazing after using them for about a month or so.

[Mavis VDSande]

Try bio-oil - I just use it for my monthly "spot outbreak", it's also recommended for pregnancy scars and general scarring. Also have you seen a nutritionist? It may be that you're having trouble breaking down eggs, dairy and even wheat, which is why the outbreaks. I have a friend who found out that his extreme ache was due to being allergic to really simple food, his face only started to heal when he was in his late 20s, when he changed his diet.

And btw he met his gf when he was "outbreaking" and they are getting married next year!

[sjgot1]

Hi

When I was a teenager I had probs with acne, which was worse because I didn't look after my appearance. Instead, I 'opted out' of the typical teenage lifestyle.

Late teens, when I decided to make more of an effort to look after myself and so socialize at parties etc, my skin cleared up. Though as I never felt comfortable with the modereate scaring, I eventually got this fixed surgically (older version of laser treatment called dermabrasion). Although some of my friends discouraged me, I was happy with the result and this boosted my confidence socially and I met my first true girlfriend within the first year after the treatment.

So, looking back I have no regrets, except that I didn't do as much research as I would do now if I decided to have any cosmetic treatment (esp. as there are so many options now).

I know that natural foods e.g. fruit, veg, nuts, grains, etc can help with skin. So can regular exercise. There are also many consmetic products but it's important to do your research here as many brands rely on image. I've read that retinol/ retinoids (a type of vitiman A) can also be useful. You may need a prescription to get this. Another option is to go to a beauty salon (can be expensive if you go regularly).

With so many options nowdays it can even be enjoyable 'fixing yourself up' and then liking what you see in the mirror.

Hope this helps

Simon G (Melbourne Australia)