7 Women Get Real About Living With Acne

I don't think people know or understand the severity of the condition tht my skin was in. In 2012 I stopped taking birth control and as result I had a hormonal imbalance that caused cystic hormonal acne on my chin and jawline. In addition, my skin keloids so my skin was never able to heal from the trauma of acne instead to heal itself it kept forming scar tissue and forming keloids. Doctors don't know too much about keloids, and they only wanted to put me back on birth control. I refused to take birth control ever again, and I went on a long 4-5 year journey learning my body and treating myself with hollistic alternatives. Over the years I've learned to love myself so deeply because almost every single person I called a friend switched up on me, I went through evrything by myself. My family are strangers now, i dont have brothers/sisters or support. No one believed me when I said I was depressed, people who havent seen me said, "it's not that bad" basically like I should just get over it. People either stared at me or treated me like I was invisible. I'm so thankful for every lesson I learned because I wouldnt have learned them any other way because im super hard headed. When I could no longer hide my flaws is when I had to grow up and do some major soul searching and work to just believe in myself, to know my worth and to persevere. To trust god, to love God(Yah), to know him. I will not explain myself or situation anymore on here, but I want to share this for anyone else struggling with something that they think wont get better, it takes time, but things get better. | ps-it's a few ppl I hold dearly to my heart because they've always been there making sure I know and see my beauty. Thank you| @Yahoostylebeauty #testimony #acneunfiltered #naturalista #miracleandmesses #selfcare #flawsandall #keloids #hollistic #faith #shareyourstory #empower #inspire #persevere #skincondition #hormonalacne #nevergiveup #trustyourjourney #courage #Grace #life #bodypositive #keloids #loveyourself

A post shared by Quan|YAH|ria (@lovelylavish_) on Jun 12, 2017 at 11:16am PDT

TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY So I never thought in a million years that I would ever have the courage to let any of these photos see the light of day, never mind putting them out for the world to see! But since it's acne awareness month, I can't see a more fitting time to share my experiences. TOP LEFT – I think this image speaks volumes in itself. Any time I washed my face, it bled. I got up 2 hours before I started work to wash my face, wait for it to stop bleeding and then apply a full face of makeup. I felt ugly, disgusting, and totally ashamed of my face. The very thought of being seen without makeup on would have given me heart palpitations. BOTTOM LEFT – One moment captured of the hours upon hours that I have spent crying so hard that it hurt… all over the state of my skin. I think a lot of people don't quite understand how much acne affects you as a person. Your confidence and perception of your value – ROCK BOTTOM. It's not just a few spots that you need to catch yourself on about. TOP RIGHT – Finally happy bare skinned. Something I had previously accepted I would never be. This is an example of the law of attraction in action – think it in your head and you'll hold it in your hand. I know this sounds completely crazy but it just works. BOTTOM RIGHT – I actually have to double take at this image, in disbelief that it is me. Me with a real smile reflecting inner happiness. You don't have to suffer with acne forever. I know all too well how hopeless everything seems at the time…I suffered for over 10 years. But it can be cured ! By no means is my skin perfect now. I still get spots from eating certain foods, stress, not sleeping etc. but I just embrace them now. Your skin does not define you and spots definitely DO NOT make you any less beautiful. My personal opinion is that it's what is in the inside that matters most ??

A post shared by Amy Robb. Plantbased&proud (@survivingnowthriving) on Jun 27, 2017 at 10:00am PDT

I thank my acne prone skin… It makes me be mindful of what I take to my body… I go bare face everyday because I want to embrace my flaws and don't want to make it worse by covering it with make up… Skin needs to breath… #acneunfiltered

A post shared by elizabeth ratri dian jati (@eratridianjati) on Jun 21, 2017 at 8:39am PDT

Only a couple more days left of #acneawarenessmonth I suffered from acne since I was thirteen. The ups and downs I've had can be attributed to several factors including hormones, diet, stress, and make-up. The picture on the left was a year ago after I got a facial treatment that traumatized my skin. My skin was mostly clear before that treatment. The lesson in that for me was to check with a dermatologist before I try anything new. The photo on the right was taken a week ago after I stopped taking a strain of tetracycline. It gave me hyper-pigmentation under my eyes and made me break out on my chest (allergic reaction). I was so against pills and it goes to show my desperation. I stopped taking it and my chest and face are better! I believe dietary changes have helped loads. I eat a high fat, alkaline diet. Acne is an inflammatory issue and alkaline foods are anti-inflammatory I have also stopped wearing make-up and using any facial products to give my skin a break. Not wearing make-up is one of the scariest and most empowering things I've ever done. I've worn make-up almost every day since I was a teenager. It made me feel confident even when I felt extremely insecure about myself. I thank it for that, but it's time now that I let myself be free because I'm honestly so done with hiding. I'm so much more than my acne. I know that now, but it's taken a long time to get here. My mental health plummeted since my acne returned as pictured on the left. What helped me to accept myself was getting advice from others with acne who understand. Talking with them and listening to their stories gave me strength to address my critical voice, one of the underlying causes of my acne. My journey with acne is now less about my skin and more about self-compassion. So now I just have scars. We all have those. But instead of ripping mine open everyday, I choose to heal them with care by gently letting them be as they are without judgment. I hope that my story can inspire others as I've been inspired by the stories of others. Special thank you to @asprinkleofhealthandbeauty for her example. To readers, please know your pain is valid. You aren't alone. We can heal together.

A post shared by SJ (@_clearlightminds_) on Jun 28, 2017 at 1:32am PDT

Digging this new slideshow feature. Swipe for a progress report (last November to earlier this week) of my #zituation. Note: I didn't use any filters but set contrast on 25 on all my face shots to really accentuate the scars. Can't block hate comments, but by now I've heard it all ………. I'm embarrassed to show such a closeup of my face, especially without a lick of coverup, but what better time than #acneawarenessmonth to bare all, #nofilter #noshame . I've had acne since high school, but mostly just now deal with scarring & hyperpigmentation. I've overhauled every product I use (including body care & oral hygiene) to all-naturals, or at least with limited ingredients, & have noticed less irritation, less inflammation, & generally more calm, healthy skin. I still get spots on occassion, & with it overly self-conscious, but I'm slowly learning to accept myself, imperfections & all, inside & out. Like the great Charlie Chaplin said, "Nothing is permanent in this wicked world- not even our troubles" ? #acneunfiltered #skinvestment #bodypositivity #klurskin #100percentpure #skii #banishacnescars

A post shared by Jamar Millare (@jamar_malade) on Jun 26, 2017 at 12:41am PDT

I took this picture weeks ago wanting to post it but never did…This is me without make-up and pretty much how my skin looks everyday. It may not be the worst you've ever seen but it's been quite the personal hell for me (warning: long post ahead haha). . An account I'm following @asprinkleofhealthandbeauty inspired me to post today because she's been so open with her acne story, and also because APPARENTLY June is acne awareness month (who knew?!). . While my skin has had its good days, it has pretty much looked like this for the last 3 years. It's rare I'm without a blemish or a cluster of red patches trying to heal. I've tried everything from going vegan to antibiotics to laser treatments. And while I haven't found my solution yet; I am confident that I will, naturally. . I am grateful for those who decided to go against the grain, and be honest and real on social media. If it wasn't for you I never would have done this. For the first time in a long time I'm in a really good place with my skin. . . . #acneunfiltered #acnewarenessmonth #acceptance #acne #progress

A post shared by Avalon Mohns (@avalonmohns) on Jun 21, 2017 at 2:46pm PDT

Photos that I have contemplated posting for so long but honestly wasn't brave enough to do until after a convo in work today- my face with not an ounce of makeup on, no filters, no strategic poses, nuffin. My skin has been like this on and off (sometimes better, often worse) since I was about 14. I have tried what feels like every form of medication, cream, diet, skincare regime, fad and "top trick" I could get and never saw lasting results. At the moment I use three different prescribed creams twice a day that make my skin itch and dry up and make me feel like a lizard, to the point that it hurts to use any form of cleanser/moisturiser/makeup, and am patiently waiting for my appointment with a dermatologist so I can get a lasting solution. I realise my skin is by far not the worst and am honestly so grateful that it's somewhat managed and can be concealed with makeup for when I want to go out, but just thought it'd be worth a post for anyone who thinks they're all alone in the war against acne Photo was taken last Sunday, 26/03/2017 #acne #myacnestory #myskincare #acnejourney #beauty #skincare #myacne #acneunfiltered

A post shared by S A L L Y M E E H A N ?? (@salomejameehan) on Mar 28, 2017 at 12:23pm PDT