Dear DOLLY DR,
"Hi I'm 13 and I’ve had acne since I was seven. I’m constantly teased and bullied and people screw their noses up at me when I walk in a room. I’ve tried so many things – what is the best way to get rid of acne that won’t cost too much money for my parents?
Jessie
Although acne is extremely common in adolescence, it can have devastating physical and psychological effects for some young people. It sounds as though the two issues for you are just as important as each other, and need to be addressed.
One is treating the acne, the other is addressing the bullying. The best treatment will depend on how much of your body is affected and what type of pimples you get. Some people get small red pimples that turn into whiteheads, others get lots of blackheads, some get both, and some get large cysts where the pimples grow large and can cause scarring.
Severe acne can affect not only the face, but the back, neck, upper arms and even buttocks. Over the counter preparations are great, but some people will need prescription medication that is safe and effective. Your doctor will be able to assess the severity of your acne and advise you about all the options for treatment which include antibiotics, the oral contraceptive pill or other medications.
It’s always important to look after your skin generally by eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, or too much caffeine and getting regular exercise. If you or your parents have difficulty paying for prescription tablets then you can also discuss this with your doctor and get advice about cheaper brands, or the ‘safety net’ where families don’t have to pay more than a certain amount of money a year for medication.
As far as the teasing is concerned, it’s important to talk to your parents and to get their support to talk to the school. Because most teenagers do have a bit of acne, the responsible adults at school might not realize how serious this is for you and what’s really going on.
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