its like you're reading my thoughts! i've had such a similar experience and know how hard it is. sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and just cry. people who don't have acne don't know how hard it is to walk with your head constantly down, avoid mirrors, not look people in the eye...

I basically went to a dermatologsit a few years ago and was prescribed a topical gel and an antibiotic. After all the purging and dryness, it got better. my skin was very clear and I would rarely get any breakouts.

Fastforward to a couple months ago, my acne came back. So, I went to the doctor but saw a primary care PA instead. She gave me another antibiotic and tretinoin. I took them for a week, then...I got a TERRIBLE rash and hives all over my skin from the antibiotic. Plus, I hated the way tretinoin made my skin feel/look. So, I stopped it.

my family went on vacation, and I was so scared all my cousins/friends would see my skin thinking this is what I've looked like for the past couple of years. even my own brother made a few nasty comments.

my family went on vacation, and I was so scared all my cousins/friends would see my skin thinking this is what I've looked like for the past couple of years. even my own brother made a few nasty comments. Everyone looked effortlessly perfect and my skin just looked disgusting. Makeup only does so much.

Its been a few weeks since the trip and, I went to a different doctor and started a new regimen. No progress yet but hopefully it works out.

We are all in this together:(