Cystic acne has haunted me most of my life.
My skin was covered withpainful, large bumpsthat would stay for weeks and eventually leave dark scars.
Finally, I gave up trying to fix itand that’s when everything got better.
Courtesy ofDexter Jones
I also started treating my skin with over-the-counter products like Neutrogena and Clean and Clearbut none worked.
It was my biggest nightmare.
It was like a game of Ping-Pong.
Courtesy ofDexter Jones
My pimples would disappear for a semester and reappear the next, sending me on an emotional roller coaster.
It all started to affect my academic performance and self-esteem.
Accutane (isotretinoin) works by stopping oil production.
The drug is heavily regulated by the FDA, and its not to be taken lightly.
During my treatment, my lips and hands became extremely dry and flaky as well as my face.
Id cover my body in Cerave at least twice a day to keep my skin moisturized.
I was taking the pill for eight months, and my skin FINALLY cleared.
I thought my acne battle was over.
Little did I know that it had just begun.
My senior year of college, I moved to New York and my skin freaked!
I quickly found a new dermatologist, Carlos Charles, M.D., fromDerma di Colore.
These changes may cause an exacerbation of acne.
That would explain my sudden flare-ups.
He prescribed another round of Accutaneand I was OK with that because at least I knew it would work.
Within two months of taking Accutane again, my skin cleared up.
I got so happy that I stopped taking my medications all together.
(Note: My mother has perfect skin.
Hormonal factors usually play a role in this punch in of acne, too.
This time he went with topical creams that worked even though they took some time.
He first prescribed Tazorac, which is a retinoid, but it irritated my skin.
Then we switched to an anti-inflammatory medication called Aczone.
In addition to Aczone, I was also using a topical retinoid called Retin-A.
Retin-A works to increase cell turnover and regulating the way skin cells divide, he explains.
I was frustrated and furious.
I felt that if Accutane and all the topicals didnt work to cure my acne then nothing would.
After I quit the treatments, my self-esteem took a total nose-dive.
I was always fixated on people looking at my skin.
When my flare-ups happened, I made sure to stay inside to avoid being seen.
I stopped bothering with makeup because it wasn’t hiding it anyway.
I was so envious of women with amazing skin.
Then one day, I remembered what Dr. Charles told me about never having perfectly clear skin.
Something about that statement gave me the courage to accept my skin as it was.
Yes, I had major flare-ups.
Yes, there are scars on my face.
But this was my new normal.
My acne scars became my battle wounds, and I havent looked back since.
In fact, accepting my cystic acne actually seemed to help it get better.
In the last year my skin has cleared, even though Im not on any medications.
I no longer have anxiety about my breakouts.
All chronic skin conditions such as acne tend to flare during periods of stress," says Dr. Charles.
Ive been free from oral medication and topical treatments for three years.
When myacne flares up, I just venture to drink more water and slow down my pace.
Now I walk with confidence instead of hiding my face from the world.
Funny enough, people compliment me on my skin more than ever.
I think it has something to do with the confidence and beauty I have within radiating through my skin.
Im happy with the way my skin is today.
I feel beautiful, confident and dare I say content.
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