Hi everyone.

I'm not too sure if I'll get any response to this but hopefully somebody else might take comfort in reading this. I've been suffering with acne since the age of about 10 or 11, with it's severity changing over the years. I'm now 17 and have reached the worse it's ever been. I've tried every drugstore face scrub/toner/cleanser and every natural at home diy remedies under the sun, seeing no significant improvement. After visiting my doctor about 2/3 years ago, I have been on two different topical creams, Duac and isotretinoin both seemed to work after the whole "it gets worse before it gets better" period however my skin became resistant to both creams and my moderate forehead acne returned, although not as severe as prior to any treatments. I then took a year out to see if a more natural approach would help, I bought aloe vera plants and got fresh seaweed all the way from Ireland to try and cure my acne. This seemed to help slightly in soothing redness and irritation of the skin, so I would 100% encourage looking into natural topical remedidies if you need help with this. I then listened to the advice of others claiming "a bit of sun will clear your skin up" so ditched the natural remedies hoping the sun would do it's work (of course with protection and ensuring no burning), with no surprise this didn't work.

Upon my return, my acne appeared to be improving, having finally cleared relatively well on my forehead, only leaving scars and under surface bumps behind. For the first time since my acne randomly relapsed aged 15, I finally felt hope again. However this was only acne's way of laughing at me, and it returned slightly to my forehead along with severe, painful chin and cheek acne. 

As many of you in this forum will know, living with acne is a horrible, confidence shattering and painful experience that I wouldn't wish upon anyone . It's transformed me completely, often led me to feeling defeat but it's taken 7 years away from me I can't get back and i will not let it take anymore. Because of this is went to my doctor to see if putting me on the pill, Gederal to be specific, would help. I'm three weeks into this and it seems to be in the "getting worse before better" stage although i'm not too convicted as my acne is raging and so painful on my chin and either side of my mouth. If anyone is on this contraception for acne please could you offer some words of wisdom as to what this has done for your skin?

In short, I do what they always say to do, eat healthy, drink plenty water, don't pick your spots and have turned to numerous treatemnts. If anybody has any advice or support for me, it would be much appreciated. I've finally found a platform of people who understand what i'm going through so I hope I can get a response. 

Sorry for the long read lol