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- Ana Vaideanu, 19, has had acne issues since she was 11.
- It's impacted her dating life, and at times, she says, "It made me feel as though I couldn't date."
- It is an ongoing battle that often affects her confidence and overall well-being.
Ana Vaideanu, 19, has dealt with acne issues since she was 11, making her feel incredibly insecure from a young age which still affects her.
She has been told that she "looks disgusting" because of her severe acne and has found dating so demoralising she is left wondering whether she will ever date.
"I will never forget the crushing moment when someone looked at my face, filled with acne, and said those hurtful words: 'You look disgusting'."
Ana, from Romania, has experienced rejection and finds it incredibly difficult to date because of her acne and the terrible self-confidence issues stemming from it. "My acne has had an impact on my dating life, and at times, it made me feel as though I couldn't date because of it," she said.
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"The constant presence of acne on my face made me self-conscious and led me to believe that I was disgusting and unattractive.
"This perception affected my confidence, and I often felt discouraged from putting myself out there and pursuing romantic relationships."
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The teenager said she had experienced numerous rejections from potential partners. "Each rejection seemed to reinforce my belief that my skin condition was a significant barrier to finding love and acceptance."
Ana has tried to find the answer to her sudden and ongoing acne problems with medical professionals. But dermatologists have not found a root cause of her problem, leaving her to speculate that it is a mixture of genetic and hormonal factors. She has gone through every solution she could get her hands on to clear her acne, including homemade remedies such as a honey and turmeric mask and investing in the most expensive skincare items on the market.
Feeling defeated and desperate, Ana decided to try Accutane. This prescription medication can help with severe cases of acne but can have intense side effects such as frequent infections, easy bruising and mood changes. Before this, she had been prescribed multiple antibiotics to address her condition, which negatively impacted her liver and gut health.
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She has started sharing her skin journey on Instagram, where she finds peace in the positive reactions and encouraging comments.
"Things started to change when I decided to share my journey with acne on Instagram. It was a brave step for me, as I was exposing my vulnerability to a wider audience, but to my surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive. People not only related to my struggles but also appreciated my honesty and authenticity."
"The journey to accepting and embracing my skin, flaws and all, was a gradual process that involved self-reflection, seeking support from loved ones, and learning to value myself beyond superficial appearances. It was a transformative journey that taught me the importance of self-compassion, inner strength, and the realisation that true beauty emanates from within."
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Ana still struggles with her self-confidence because of her acne, but she hopes that one day she will be able to help others experience what she had to endure. "Witnessing other teenagers going about their lives without a care in the world about what they ate, drank, or did only intensified my feelings of frustration and self-doubt. It's an ongoing battle that often affects my confidence and overall well-being."
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