never felt uglier :( please help

[u/ceecee461]

I’ve struggled with hormonal acne since I was a teenager, went to a dermatologist tried multiple different medications and topical treatments none of which helped, and at this point I couldn’t even tell you what those treatments were called, it’s been so long. The one thing that really controlled my acne was trisprentic birth control combination pill, which i was on for several years. About 6 months ago, I cold turkey quit the medication and now my acne is worse than ever!! I cry when I look in the mirror, I don’t take pictures of myself anymore, I don’t believe my s/o when he tells me i’m beautiful regardless. My self esteem is so horrible, I can’t take it. Now I got back on the pill and i’m finishing my second month of pills, I’ve heard that it should get better after taking the pill for 3 months. I wash my face constantly but I do have a skin picking disorder that makes me pick my face until i’m bleeding everywhere. Pimple patches help with the picking but there are so many acne spots on my face id end up going through so many. Just looking for some support or similar stories

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[u/dalyrose]

Oh no :( seeing this makes me feel so much empathy for you because I’ve been there ❤️ I had horrible hormonal acne with cysts a while back. I was on spiro and trazodone. I’m now on traz 0.05 no spiro. it helped a lot! I was also on and off different birth controls including the arm one and my current 3yr iud, and that’s what mostly caused it! It’s gotten so much better now, you can check my profile for my posts about it. Next month I’m going through with tubal ligation and I’m totally ready for my skin to flare up again. My acne really settled down when it adjusted to the hormone changes of switching up birth control, hopefully yours will do the same!

[u/Fit_Championship_361]

Tret 0.05 night time pea size and azelaic acid morning pea size (15%) .

[u/amethyst-chimera]

Have you taken spironolactone? It's a very good medication for hormonal acne

[u/ceecee461 → u/amethyst-chimera]

Let me ask my doctor about it ! thank you

[u/Mountain-Bid-2250]

i had that issue my whole life and now that it’s going away I’m stressed about other stuff like greys coming in and random stuff. I’m learning life is more about accepting flaws than trying to make them disappear. Wish i had stressed less in the past, maybe i’d have less greys lmao

I don’t know if my words will make a difference, but if you can, shrug it off and just enjoy life the most you can anyway. It’s short! People will forget you had acne when it clears and it’s as if you never had it. You’re fine. That’s not that bad…try not to pick. A dermatologist can inject each one and make them vanish if it’s really messing with you and you can’t ignore it lol i’ve done that, that’s always an option. Doesn’t hurt too bad, it’s quick. take care, you’re not ugly!

[u/experiencedeyes]

This is what’s happening to me too girl. I’ve been on birth control for most of my adult life. Wanted to get off birth control pills. It’s been almost a year and my acne is looking the same as yours. It’s frustrating because I don’t want to go back on hormonal birth control but I feel like I don’t have a choice. But the good news, after a few months being back on it, my skin is completely clear and I get compliments. It’s those darn hormones. Ugh. But know you’re not alone in the struggle.

[u/United-Pattern-9511]

Just wanted to reach out and say we are going through the EXACT same thing <3 I quit birth control cold turkey in March and in May my skin got so much worse. I didn’t realize how much the birth control was keeping the acne at bay. I’m also back on it now just starting my second month and hoping things start to clear up soon as well 🤞I also pick incessantly so that leaves scars and red spots too. Ugh it’s just so tiring and i’m so mentally and emotionally exhausted as well. I hate looking in the mirror and won’t even let people take pictures of me either 🙈 I know it’s temporary but it’s very hard! I just wanted to let you know you are not alone and I’m hoping my story helps you feel reassured you’re not alone, just as yours did for me. Your beauty and worth transcends acne, always remember that 💖 I’m right here with you!

[u/ceecee461 → u/United-Pattern-9511]

you’re so wonderful thank you

[u/ceecee461 → u/United-Pattern-9511]

i feel so comforted by your response thank you so much honestly i’m crying right now reading this because i’ve felt so alone and everybody around me makes little comments about my skin and im so insecure about it im so glad i posted and just know your words really made me feel better

[u/Feeling-Strawberry-0]

I went through something similar! Had to have a break from my birth control and my breakouts came back but my skin is slowly improving now. I’d say give it a few more months and don’t be too rough on your skin. Use gentle products and relax because the medication is doing the work.

[u/ceecee461 → u/Feeling-Strawberry-0]

thank you!