I've been struggling with acne since I was 8 years old and I'm nearly 13 now but I still have it. It reached it's worst point when i turned 10-11 years old. It got slightly better when I turned 12 years old, but I'd been bullied many times because of my acne and it caused me a lot of stress, so it got worse again for a bit. Now I'm left over with a lot of scars on my face and I don't know what to do about it.
Please help!
Sam
Hi there
Acne is a skin condition that can start around puberty. It looks like spots, blackheads or pimples and can be on any part of your body but is often on your face or neck. Not everyone gets acne and if you do it could last for either a long or short time.
You won’t get acne from being dirty or not washing. It’s caused by changes in hormones but it can be made worse by things like washing too often or leaving make up on overnight. There are gels and creams that you can buy to treat acne or your doctor might prescribe medication.
You might get scars if any of the spots burst so try not to squeeze or pick spots or blackheads. There are treatments to help scars fade or you can use make up to help cover them up. Treatments can be expensive and your doctor can tell you what is available and about any costs.
Having acne can affect how you feel about yourself: you might feel embarrassed, upset or depressed. Acne can be difficult to live with but it won’t last forever. It can help to talk about your feelings or to use the art box or the journal in your locker to express yourself. You could read what other young people say about having acne or scars on the message boards and post a message asking for tips or advice.
Being bullied for how you look is wrong and it shouldn't happen. There are things you can do to stop the bullying. It can take time to build your confidence and bounce back from bullying so try to take small steps and don’t pressure yourself too much. You could start by making time every day to relax and do something you really enjoy.
Remember, there are things that can help you to feel better even if they won’t make your acne go away. Try to eat healthily, get enough sleep and manage stress for your overall health. The NHS has some information about acne that you might find useful. You can always speak to a Childline counsellor about your feelings if you’d like more support.
Thank you for your letter,
Sam
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