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Acne

hi Sam,

So, i have pretty bad acne on my forehead and think it is just due to hormones, but i wear make up everyday to hide it. I am 14 and have been wearing foundation everyday since i was 12.

i am good at making sure i take it off everynight before i go to sleep.Although i feel like im going to be doing this for the rest of my life now, what if my skin never gets better?

All i wish for is clear skin one day and i dont think i ever will.I always say the night before school that i wont be wearing make up tomorrow, but in the morning i always feel nervous what people may think and end up putting foundation on.

i dont know what to do please help

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Sam

Hi there,

Acne and spots affect most people and although you'll still probably get them from time to time as an adult, it's much more common when you're in your teens. Some people try to hide it but this can sometimes make it worse. If it gets to be painful or is affecting you a lot, you might want to speak to your doctor.

​There are some basic steps you can take to try and make acne less severe, though you might not get rid of it completely all at once. The NHS website has some good advice on how to keep acne under control. Everyone is different though, so what works for one person might not work for you. But you can keep trying different things until you find what gives you the best results.

It's also important to remember that it's okay that your skin is not perfect - nobody has the perfect body. Celebrities and models can make it seem like their skin is flawless all of the time, but most of the time this is a lot of make up and photo editing. When you're having a 'bad skin day', someone who sees it might be remembering the last time they had a bad skin day too. It happens to us all and it's nothing to be ashamed of. We've got tips on feeling better about how you look and building confidence and self-esteem.

If your acne becomes really painful or is something you struggle with a lot, you can visit your doctor. Your doctor might be able to help with medication or creams, in very severe cases.

I hope this has helped you. You can always get support from our counsellors if you'd like to talk a bit more about how you feel.

Thanks for your letter.

Sam

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