Acne Misconception #2 (”My skin is special”)
You’re a special person. With all your quirks, your strengths, your history, and your troubles. Your skin however, is not special. Regardless of how intolerant of products, or how heavily oily or reactive it gets…, it’s still not special. Your skin’s current state of unwellness is not unique in any way whatsoever. Millions of people all over the world have suffered from juicy acne bumps, oil slicked faces, red faces, post-oral isotretinon sensitivity, dry irritation, and oily irritation. The moment you think your skin is “special”, is the moment you stop looking for answers and stop asking for assistance. This mistake can potentially cause a lifetime of needless suffering.
©2008 “My Skin is Special” by Dr. Neal Schwartz
July 13th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
My skin IS special. I have acne from head to foot (on my face, back, chest, stomach, arms, hands, buttocks and legs) and yet no oil whatsoever. I also suffer from seborrhoeic dermatitis, which makes my skin practically crumble off… AND I have warts on my hands… AND sebaceous cysts on my earlobes… AND recently had a cherry hemangioma removed from my chest. I’ve been putting up with all of this for over 20 years, so don’t tell me it isn’t special. I doubt there is another human being on the planet who has what I have. I live in misery.
July 13th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Sorry to hear you live in misery. No one wishes that for you or anyone else. Acne with or without obvious oil, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Chronic cysts, warts, and cherry hamangiomas are all very common treatable skin problems. The only thing special about your situation is that it is being improperly treated. “Your skin is not special” is a quote I give to people who suffer Needlessly from common treatable conditions. It’s the thought, “My skin is special” that allows a person to “victimize” themselves as someone who indeed needs to suffer. It’s a cycle of depression and pessimism that is not catered to in this practice.
Think about it…… all your skin problems have been put in hundreds of textbooks and articles….., there must have been many cases before yours…, and there will be many more to come. It’s the pessimism of failed treatment attempts that locks people into a lifetime of suffering. I have seborrheic dermatitis as well and know how frustrating this condition can feel. Like your face is always heavy, irritated, and uncomfortable. I have found many ways to treat my own case and my patient’s as well. We have a completely unique, patent pending Seborrheic Dermatitis Kit coming out in a few months that will be an add on to the Minimal Kit. My face finally feels comfortable and this project will extend to anyone who is needlessly suffering.
Hope you feel better soon,
-Dr. Neal