If You Suffer From Acne, These 6 Transformations May Give You Hope

"I allowed my acne to define me and I missed out on things that I enjoy most. So if you're going through this, I know exactly how you feel-- the anger and anxiety is real. I want you to know you are not alone. Don't let it steal your happiness because it does NOT define you!" — @farrahfit

"Sometimes I can't comprehend how far I've come with my acne journey, mentally and of course physically. In these pictures you can only see the change in my skin/appearance, not the change in my mental well-being. You can't see the endless days, months, years of hatred and frustration that boiled up inside of me, and trickled over every aspect of my life, without me really realising it." — @my.acne.diary

"It's easy to say, just be positive, there are worse things going on in the world, and it's just skin. But in reality, severe cystic acne hits you like a ton of bricks- even after it's healed the psychological wounds still linger. It's hard watching your face go through drastic changes, without ever wanting or triggering those changes in the first place. And to have your friends, family, and total strangers comment on those changes or recommend treatments you've already tried, it can be devastating to your confidence, leaving you feeling less than or completely ashamed." — @myfacestory

"it can be sooo tough when you finally get to the bottom of your acne yet you still feel sh*t about your skin as you're covered in red marks...but it WILL get better. It may take longer than you'd like...but as you already know from the loooonnngg process of healing your acne, these things take time and we need to be more patient, and more kind, to ourselves." — @amy_skyntherapy

"I'm not much of a sad crier (I cry A LOT because of happiness or being overwhelmed with the amazingness of others) but one thing I do sad cry over is my skin. I'm optimistic that it's getting better....at least for right now." — @merely_melissa

"My skin used to limit me so much. I hated going anywhere/doing anything because I thought I always looked so horrible. Now I'm a little less horrible!!" – @mirandajane1990