I was in 6th grade when acne first reared its ugly head. Most teenagers experience the run-of-the-mill breakouts, but this was different. Huge red cysts and wine colored scars covered my face, only to be quelled by a rigorous daily cleansing regimen and antibiotics. The red plague made its grand entrance, and almost 7 years later it continues to impact my life. Throughout my battle with chronic acne I have realized that, like most other conditions, there are some things that people who don't suffer from it simply don't realize. Here's a list of things that I've noticed people just don't understand about acne.
1. People with acne are completely aware that they have acne.
The amount of times people have told me "Hey, you have a pimple there!" is outrageous. I look into the mirror and see what's on my face several times a day, I do not need you to point it out and remind me.
2. It's a medical condition.
This is a basic thing that goes over people's heads sometimes. Acne isn't some external marker that's used to set people apart from everyone else, it is a condition that the human body - anyone's human body - is susceptible to. People with acne are no different than anyone else, we're just the unfortunate victims of clogged pores.
3. That being said - there's no miracle cure.
Like any medical condition, acne has its own line of treatments. From Proactiv to acetone to homeopathic cures, there is an unimaginable number of different ways to treat acne. This isn't a perfect world, however, and these treatments don't always work. Over the years I have used several different treatments including drugstore acne washes, prescription drugs, popularly advertised treatment kits, and topical prescription creams. While many of these products were advertised to erase all signs of acne, sometimes they didn't work or made my face break out even more. Some treatments worked extremely well, but only for a little while. Once my skin became immune, I had to find another approach. Prescription drugs worked the best, but left me with unbearable digestive issues. My current treatment keeps my acne at bay, but doesn't erase it completely and does nothing to reduce the scarring I have. Just because someone has acne doesn't mean they don't try to treat it.
4. There's not a singular cause.
I absolutely hate when I talk about acne and people come back with "Well maybe you need to lay off the potato chips." Does my less-than-healthy diet contribute to my acne? It might, but I've never experienced fluctuations in the condition of my acne at the same time as fluctuations in my eating habits. In spite of treatments, I always get flare ups when I'm stressed, when I switch treatments, or when I'm about to get my period. There is also a history of chronic acne in my family, which adds a genetic contributor. No one thing causes everyone's acne, it varies depending on the person.
5. It comes in many different shapes and sizes.
The term acne encompasses many things, such as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules (what is commonly referred to as a zit), cysts, and nodules. As pores are not limited to only the face, neither are these spots. Acne can pop up on the back, in and behind the ears, or in the hairline to name a few places.
6. It is PAINFUL.
No, pimples aren't just ugly - THEY HURT. When left untouched it's typically bearable, but sometimes acne happens in places where it's nearly impossible for them not to be rubbed or bumped by something (often clothing, furniture, or other people). Not only is it physically painful, acne comes with a lot of emotional pain as well. It puts a mark (sometimes a permanent one) on someone's appearance, which is bound to cause self esteem issues in a society that values beauty over most things.
7. It can't always just be covered up with makeup.
For most men, this isn't even an option, and though it is an option for women, it's not always a plausible one. Most makeup doesn't effectively hide acne because of the different elements that are required to hide it. There are products that cover acne, products that reduce redness, products that help get rid of scarring, products that reduce the appearance of pores, and so on. A person either has to get all of these products separately and spend hours covering things up, or spend an exorbitant amount of money on a single, high end product that claims to do it all in one. On top of that, makeup clogs pores and often creates more acne, so it seems as though all that work isn't worth it.
8. People don't choose to have acne.
No one in their right mind would choose the pain, the stigma, and the frustration caused by acne. Instead of looking at someone with acne like they're some kind of rare animal with bizarre markings, realize that we're just like everyone else and see our acne for what it is - an uncontrollable, unpleasant medical condition. Help us deal with the cards we've been dealt, and be supportive rather than critical. Stop the stigma, erase the blemish on the lives of those suffering from chronic acne.
