So sad and know there's no hope

[Dane802]

People used to tell me I was good looking and that when I grew up I'd be handsome and all that. That was before acne, rosacea and acne scarring kicked in. I always hoped there could be a way to get back to being good looking but there just isn't. Even when my acne goes which it probably won't cause I'm basically 22 and still get horrific breakouts quite often, I will be left with scars which let's be honest how ever much laser treatment or whatever you get you can't completely get rid of them. And of course Rosacea. Pretty much the same how ever much you do you can't beat it and you will always be able to notice it. Basically I've pretty much given up and although I'm still gonna have laser treatments done there just isn't a way to go back to who I used to be. I feel I will always be an uglier person than I should of been, just purely down to my skin cause let's be honest even if your the most beautiful person if your skins really bad most people can't see past it.

Just so sad now
Dane

[LoisAnne]

I know that when you are feeling as down as you are right now, it does not do any good to tell you that things will get better in the future but I do want to tell you that people on this forum care about you and understand what you are going through. You did not mention any treatments you have tried except that you plan to do laser. I assume you are under the treatment of a dermatologist. Have you taken antibiotics? There are treatments for acne and rosacea and hopefully the dermatologist can eventually find one that helps you. Have you tried finding out what foods affect your skin?
I wish I had words of wisdom or help that would make you feel better but all I can say is to keep trying to find a treatment that works, read through the posts on this forum for what has helped others and keep busy with things you enjoy doing so you don't dwell on your skin too much.

[fanny]

Hi Dane
LoisAnne gave you some great advise. I also know nothing I say will make you feel better, however I do know that the only thing you can change is your attitude and so that is what you must concentrate on, whatever it takes, counseling,therapy,meditaiton,good works etc. If you feel that you are suffering from depression please seek professional help.
This forum provides an excellent place for venting.
Take care
Fanny

[Dane802]

Thankyou both for your kind comments , I have been on all antibiotics there are I think for both my acne and rosacea. The next step fo me is Roaccutane for my acne but unfortunately I think that makes rosacea worse. I have thought about seeing a counsellor but I know why I'm depressed and the only way to get over it is to make head way with my skin. Cause I'm sorry but I just can't see myself as anything but ugly with this skin and I really don't think anyone can help me with that except maybe the person holding the laser.

Thanks Dane

[Angy79]

I, too, totally understand how you feel. I've been feeling exactly the same since rosacea destroyed my beautiful skin.
Have you tried zinc? Zinc pills (supplements) and/or zinc cream can work wonders for acne as well as rosacea. It helps my skin, even though it isn't clear, it looks better than before.
Hang on in there and don't give up hope.

[spencer]

I just can't see myself as anything but ugly with this skin and I really don't think anyone can help me with that except maybe the person holding the laser.

I disagree with this statement. The only person who can really help you is yourself. Yes, a laser technician might be able to eliminate some scarring, redness, etc., but they cannot give you self esteem and the ability to weather change. You will be thrown all kinds of curve balls throughout life. Unfortunately this is one of many. The truth is that there is no guaranteed outcome in life. Your ability to overcome this hurdle will prepare you for other challenges in your life.

Having said that, I want you to know that things will get better. I have had cystic acne, so I know where you're coming from. It really sucks, but it is an opportunity to try and rise above it and become stronger than you've ever been. No amount of worrying and doomsday thinking is going to change things. If anything it will make it worse. If I knew what I knew now, I would have never worried. The scarring on my face is not even noticeable now and, because I have taken such good care of my skin, my skin actually looks really healthy. I still have rosacea, but it is more under control.

Acne and/or rosacea does not mean you cannot have a happy life. There are a ton of options out there to get it under control. Don't let it control you.

[Dane802]

Thanks for the replies, especially spencer who says about overcoming it.Today I went to the laser specialist and she told me that there was nothing I could do for my acne scars cause they are so minor and laser works better on bigger deeper scars than little ones. However she did say that I am breaking out cause of my rosacea and she can give me ipl laser and also special skin products that will help my roscea but unfortunately I just can't really afford all of it. She also said that without doing this all that my rosacea would get worse which of course it probably will. On the upper hand a girl did smile at me over the bar and kept looking at me with when we sat down, so I guess I should just try and enjoy my life and go for things while I still look respectable. Although I feel bad cause say just for an example I got with the girl and stayed with her I know that as my rosacea worsened she would have to put up with a red spotty boyfriend. As I said I might as well enjoy life while I still got some looks.

Cheers
Dane

[LoisAnne]

I am sorry, but I would take what the woman with the laser treatments said with a large grain of salt. She wants to sell products that you cannot afford so she tells you that without them you will get worse. In my humble opinion (okay, I never have humble opinions.... ) she may just be trying to make a sale. There is no certainty that you will get worse. It sounds like your acne scarring is fairly mild and there may be something a good dermatologist can do about that in the future. Anyway, I like your attitude of trying to enjoy your life as it is. Hopefully things will improve in the future. I do believe that new medicines will be found to help with rosacea and maybe the true cause (or causes) will be discovered.

[Dane802]

Thanks loisanne, I'm thinking the same as you she is to trying to get my money. Although I probably might go for the ipl treatment. But thankyou and I will try to look up.

Thankyou Dane

[spencer]

Hey Dane,

Don't let your skin condition hold you back from what you want in life. There is nothing more attractive to a woman than a man who has confidence despite his flaws. At least for me, anyway... (I am a woman despite my username). And for those women who judge you based on your appearance, well, you don't care because who wants to be stuck with a superficial woman anyway. And, besides, you have so much confidence that it really doesn't matter anyway...right? Of course, I do understand how difficult it is when you have breakouts that are beyond your control. But you can change your attitude and this will, in turn, help moving your health (including your skin) in the right direction.

BTW, there are a lot of alternatives to IPL, as you know, so make sure you have exhausted all options before pursuing this route. I have found retinaldehyde has really helped me. It is the least irritating of all of the retinoids and it helps with minor scarring. It has helped my scarring quite significantly and doesn't carry the same risk as IPL.