Essay submitted to: The University of Texas at Austin, TCU, & SMU

Struggling with acne during some of my middle school years left an emotional scar; it's an experience I will never forget. Teens worldwide suffer daily with the insecurities that come with acne, and it tends to be an issue that people rarely acknowledge. For me, this awkward phase took over my life in a way that, I believe, changed me forever.

Suffering through acne in middle school was probably different for me than most. I went through the phase before most kids really knew what acne was. Everyone my age had faces that gleamed with fresh smooth skin. Classmates would literally point at me and laugh, as though I couldn't hear them. I tried to deal with the fact that I was going to look like that permanently, assured I would be ugly forever.

Trying simply to accept it, though, didn't work. I couldn't take it. I woke up each morning two hours earlier than normal, ready to conquer the Himalayas in my t-zone with cover up before school. My carpool would honk when they were outside; I'd take my last look in the mirror; and I would deteriorate into an uncontrollable tantrum.

Months passed. I tried seemingly every product available, and still nothing worked. Accutane, my miracle drug, became the last option. In just three weeks of using the product, my skin completely cleared. My puffy red sores transformed into a smooth glow. My transformation surprised everyone. My peers wanted to be my friend again.

No one deserves the stress of acne I underwent. Accutane is the standard cure, but today some health professionals argue for the discontinuation of the medication because of its potential harmful effects, especially during pregnancy. Whether we deny it or not, however, appearance, especially with teens, means so much to each of us. All of my friends started to suffer through acne as we approached high school. It became a common plague that everyone dealt with, and before I knew it, everyone grew insecure. My hope is that teenagers might be spared this humiliation that comes with acne. It seems like a minor problem to some, because it's only a cosmetic issue; however it can affect lives. Giving teens the opportunity to learn about skin care and to access successful products gives them the confidence and acceptance we all crave as confused teens.

This acne experience made me take the time to consider what others may be struggling with internally and to see people for their true beauty. Judging by appearance can poison one's life. Feeling alone during the years I experienced severe acne encouraged me to reach out and make others feel confident. Acne taught me to see people beyond their looks.

Now, each time I wake up to a whitehead on my nose, I can't help but smile a little. It's nice to have a reminder sometimes to take a step back and remember this phase that shaped me. How many people can say with each zit, comes a blessing?