These stories are based on information gathered from health
professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health
decisions.
Shelley, age 24: I know that it's normal to
still have acne in your 20s, but it really bothers me that I still have so many
pimples. I feel like people don't take me seriously because of my skin (though
maybe that's all in my head). I'm considering a different job that would
involve a lot more work with the public, and I think that my pimples will
bother me even more then. I'm going to ask my doctor what I can try.
Alfonso, age 27: Even though I have quite a
few pimples and blackheads, none of them are very serious. My acne is more
annoying than anything else. I feel like I should have outgrown it by now, but
it's still there. If I use my benzoyl peroxide faithfully, I can keep it under
control, but sometimes I forget. All in all, I guess it doesn't bother me
enough to see a doctor about it.
Tim, age 14: My mom says that everyone gets
zits and that I'm the only one who notices my skin. But I know that's not true.
Sometimes the kids at school tease me about my pimples, and I really don't even
like to go to school when my face is really broken out. I hate the way I look.
So I got my mom to say "okay" about asking the doctor what I can do about
it.
Janet, age 15: I am not all that bothered by
my acne yet. I do what I can to keep it under control and just try to forget
it's there. A lot of kids my age have zits. I think if I don't notice it, maybe
other people won't notice it either.