Deborah

Deborah first began to get spots around age 12. Contrary to what Deborah expected initially, her acne has stayed with her into her twenties. She has used over-counter products, steroids creams and prescribed tablets but has never felt acne-free’.

Deborah started to get spots at the age of 12. At first, she felt glad that her spots would be out of the way by sixth form, but acne has remained with her into her twenties. When Deborah was younger, she found that her spots were concentrated on her face around the t-zone. More recently, her acne affects mostly her jawline and across the shoulders, back and chest parts of the body which she finds harder to treat acne. Deborah says that her skin has changed as she has got older; for example, she used to have oily skin, whereas now thinks that she has larger pores which are open and so clog up easily. Deborah still gets some breakouts, especially in response to certain triggers including as stress and hormonal changes such as around her menstrual period. Deborah also avoids dairy as she thought it might be triggering her acne.

Deborah says that it didn’t occur to her until only a few years ago that a person could see their GP about acne. She has since visited her doctor and tried a number of prescription treatments, including the contraceptive pill, steroid creams and antibiotic tablets. The first treatment she tried was a gel, but it was time-consuming to apply and made her skin itchy. Deborah has also seen a dermatologist in Australia whilst living there. She was given some tablets which worked well, but she couldn’t get the same medication when she returned to the UK. She is not taking any prescription medicines for her acne at the moment as she hasn’t found anything which helped much and she doesn’t like the connotations implied of acne being an illness.

Acne began to affect Deborah’s life more seriously around the age of 15 as she began to feel much more self-aware of her skin. She bought make-up and over-counter products like vitamin supplements, which made her feel that she had some control over the condition. Deborah has tried many different skincare products, such as tea tree oil, and she takes care to keep her make-up brushes clean. Deborah also tries to find ways to avoid touching her skin, such as by taking the arms off her office chair at work so she can’t rest her head on her hands. Having spots on her back and chest can be especially difficult, as it is extremely painful if she accidentally knocks or catches a spot. Sometimes Deborah also wears clothes with high collars to cover these areas up. Deborah worries about the impression that having spots as an adult can give, for example that her colleagues might perceive her to be less professional because of break-outs. When she was younger, she also felt like people might think she was dirty because of her acne. Deborah says it can be annoying to have to deal with spots when at work or out with friends. She takes a kit out with her that includes different products and make-up removers, so that she can fix her skin whilst away from home.

Deborah thinks it might be useful for pharmacists and nurses at schools to be able to prescribe acne treatment, rather than for young people to have to go to the doctors for these. Deborah encourages healthcare professionals to take more time in listening to people with acne. Her advice to other people with acne is to not let it define you, adding that it’s not the most important part of a person. Deborah says that having acne can feel isolating, but having friends and family who provide emotional support helps. She also finds YouTube tutorials and blogs helpful for make-up tips and advice on acne, and that they can open up dialogue about acne.

Deborah talks about the cost of make-up.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

While there is a lot of information about acne for teenage skin, Deborah thinks there is not enough about acne for adult skin.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah feels you shouldn’t let acne define you.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Feeling you are being listened to is important and Deborah says that medical professionals should be aware how even sighing can put people off coming for help.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah used the hormonal contraceptive pill to help her acne.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah usually takes a little kit with her when she goes out with her friends in case she needs to take her make-up off. She describes one occasion when she forgot her kit.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah felt isolated because friends didn’t understand what it was like to have acne. She thinks getting emotional support from friends, rather than practical advice, is really important.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Although she thinks it shouldn’t affect her work, Deborah says she’s less likely to interact with others when she has a bad breakout of acne.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah mentioned about acne at the end of her doctor’s appointment, rather than going to talk specifically about it.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah put off seeing a doctor about acne because she didn’t want to feel she was sick’ or ill.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah had first taken antibiotics for acne whilst living abroad and found the pills in the UK were much bigger.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah’s careful to avoid getting an infection from popped acne spots.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

The main body parts affected by acne have changed for Deborah over time.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah sometimes accidentally knocks spots on her jaw and nose.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12

Deborah talks about how her acne has changed over time.

Age at interview 25

Gender Female

Age at diagnosis 12