[personal] If you're thinking of seeing a dermatologist but you're just not sure—do it. I'm so relieved I could cry.

Beauty Tips For Body Care
I've spent years (15+) dealing with acne. Pimples, closed comedones, huge, painful cysts—you name it, I've had it. I've spent years trying different treatments and buying so many different products, always hoping that one day, finally, I would find the one that could fix everything. Nothing helped.But I also spent those years believing that, since I'd seen pictures of people suffering with acne that was much more severe than mine, I didn't need to go to a dermatologist. I didn't even deserve to—not when other people had it so much worse. I didn't ever believe that my acne was bad enough to warrant an appointment, not even when I would wince in pain from smiling because it would pull at the dry, cracked, weeping skin of a cyst on my chin. I told myself for years it's not that bad.How wrong could one person be?Today, I finally went to a dermatology appointment after months of debating. And it was amazing. She listened to me. She sympathized with me. She even wanted to help me. There was no, "your acne isn't bad enough," or "you just need to figure out how to be less stressed."Nope. Just, "I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this for so long. Here's what we can do to help."I walked out with a prescription for Retin-A, spironolactone, and Aczone; and a budding sense of hope.I guess I'd just like to say that if you can see a dermatologist, do it. Please stop doubting yourself. Your acne doesn't need to be "bad enough". The fact that it is bothering you is all the reason you need. Your suffering is valid and you are always deserving of help and of hope.I'd also like to say I completely understand that for many reasons, not everyone is in a position where even if they wanted to, they are able to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. I understand and I truly empathize with you. And I'm so sorry if this post comes off as tone-deaf considering the seemingly insurmountable difficulties many people are living through right now. I only wanted to say to others what I wish someone had told me a long time ago.
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by brendenfraser