Dear acne,

I remember and will always remember when you first appeared on my face in 8th grade. I told myself that it will be okay and it was just a phase. But little did I know you would only get worse. Pimples would show up one after another, leaving hundreds of scars all over my once perfect skin. It was until my skin condition reached its worst. Contacting the dermatology office became the norm. When meeting new people, eye contact only lasted a few seconds. Their eyes would slowly from my eyes to my forehead. Strangers and even my loved ones would comment on my acne in a straightforward matter. I lacked self confidence and felt obliged to wear at least a layer of foundation everyday to school. I spent hundreds of dollars on acne products, ranging from drugstore to high end. I spent long hours watching videos of people who shared the same problem. You destroyed my life. You destroyed my social status. You destroyed my confidence. You were a pest, to say the least.

Recently, I began to accept you and your stubbornness. I have tried every remedy and every single one failed to work. Face masks, scrubs, serums, oils, name it all. I learned that I can still take care of myself, regarding my imperfections, but the first step was improving my mental health. I began to perceive myself differently when looking in the mirror. My past self criticized every blemish and bump. My new self embraced them.

Thank you, acne, for teaching me that something so unfavorable can be considered beautiful with the start of a single positive thought.

Sincerely,

Your favorite victim