Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Skin Matters

As most of you know, I've been struggling with acne pretty much my entire teenage life.

For the past 7 years I've dealt with breakouts that were mild, and some so painful that I would cry looking in the mirror.

Recently I developed a lot of cysts and acne that was completely unmanageable.
I could not move my face or smile/frown because it would painfully twinge one of my cysts.

When people think of acne, they automatically relate it to being unclean. This is a very unfair assumption. I clean my face 2-3 times a day, depending on whether I'm wearing makeup or not.

For a while my skin was doing okay. It was not clear, but it was manageable. But then I had to switch birth control, and my topical medicine was not working anymore.

Long story short, this was my skin on February 12.Yeah, that bad.

It is embarrassing when you can't feel comfortable leaving the house without make. I didn't even feel comfortable leaving the house WITH makeup.

Makeup only goes so far to cover up the redness.

I stopped taking my birth control and started using this:My doctor suggested all of them. I thought the last two were weird, but after only a few weeks my skin is looking a lot better.

It's not perfect, not by a long shot. I've got redness to fade and a few tiny leftover breakouts to clear. But if I had to leave the house right now, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Unless it really is the end of the world right now... then yeah. It'd be the end of the world.

12 comments:

Jillene said...

I know EXACTLY how you feel!! My chin right now looks like that. I am using Cetaphil and loving it.

Kristina P. said...

Oh, Lee, that looks miserable! I had horrible acne when I was younger.

Anonymous said...

looking good! my best friend gets awful cysts, so I know how painful they get. :(

Sarah said...

Actually, washing your face TOO much causes acne. 2-3 times is no big deal, I don't think, but excessive washing causes the skin to produce MORE oil, to stay hydrated, and that causes breakouts. I had a short bought with it when I was in my early 20's. Maybe a year or so. I am lucky, I know this. I wash my face once a day and usually only break out the week before my visitor :)

Erin said...

I would have never thought of Neosporin! I'm glad it is working for you right now...let's hope it keeps working!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that the meds seem to be working for you!

Amander said...

How horrible. I'm glad it's helping@

Mrs. M said...

Your skin is looking really good right now. I am 36 and still struggle with breakouts, I rarely go out without makeup. I got a prescription for Differin which is a very strong anti acne/aging cream. I started it in November and all I am seeing is MORE acne and redness. I read it takes a while to work...but not sure how long I want to wait it out!

Wendyburd1 said...

I don't get what those last 2 are for, but your skin is looking great!! You can get that kit at drugstores right?

Anonymous said...

Oh Lee! I am so sorry! That looks painful. I had acne as a teenager but it wasn't as painful as you're describing. Poor thing! I still get a few pimples around that time of the month and it's always in the same spot so I act fast. I am glad that it's clearing up now with the new medicine!

Sheri, RN said...

I know how you feel, I've got it bad too for the past year or so :( SO awful that I cry when I look at it too sometimes. Where did you get the Acne kit from? I haven't seen it in stores. I should try it too lol How often do you use the cortizone & neosporin?

Brandi. said...

I can't even imagine. :(

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