Montreal teen shares journey with acne

The teen years can be an awkward time for young people, particularly when their hormones wreak havoc and cause a visibly noticeable skin issue like acne. Jay*, 18, knows only too well how challenging life can be with a chronic skin condition.

“I started to develop acne when I was around 14 years old,” the Montreal teenager recalls. “At first it didn’t bother me much, but as I got older the breakouts annoyed me when I looked in the mirror. I realized that I was the only one in my social circle with a skin issue and it felt unfair.”

After initially turning down his mom’s offer to meet with a dermatologist, Jay agreed to an appointment.

“The dermatologist prescribed antibiotics and other medications, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t,” explains Jay. “My acne would improve for a short time but then become noticeable again a couple of weeks later. Even though it was only on my face and wasn’t as bad as the severe acne I’d seen online, it still bugged me enough to wish it would go away for good.”

As someone who enjoys jiu jitsu and wrestling, Jay was quick to learn that a daily skincare routine was also key to managing his acne.

“Throughout my teenage years, I took part in contact sports that led to my acne looking significantly worse some days,” he says. “It was like my skin was back at square one whenever I would be done with practice. The dermatologist recommended over-the-counter acne skin products to wash my face and treat my pimples after each workout.”

Jay encourages any teen who is struggling with acne to reach out to a friend, loved one or health care professional, especially if their skin is affecting their self-confidence and/or daily activities.

“Acne is something that no one wants to deal with, and I credit my mom for booking the appointments with the dermatologists, researching different treatment options and supporting me throughout my journey,” Jay shares. “While you may feel that you can manage on your own, challenges are always easier to overcome with the help of people who care about you.”

*Pseudonym