When I was 15, I was traumatized by acne. I tried all kinds of acne cleansers, as well as other topical treatments, and even some internal junk, but nothing seemed to work. It was a terrible time in my life. I was just starting to try to talk to girls, and looking for a girlfriend, but my terrible complexion made me afraid to even approach them. I don't know if it was my imagination or not, looking back on it, but it seemed that none of them were at all interested, and that no one wanted to talk to me. It might have been adolescent insecurity, but nonetheless, my self-esteem continued to plummet.

Finally I realized that acne cleansers would never take care of the problem, and that I would have to take a more proactive approach. My father told me that as a teenager he had the same problem. He shared with me his paralyzing insecurity, the fight to clear up his face, and the various concoctions and treatments he used. Then, he finally found something that worked. It wasn't cleansers or medications -- it was a matter of realizing that he was good enough just as he was.

Personally, I thought this was a bunch of hokum when I first heard it, and I decided to keep trying the acne cleansers. Sure enough, eventually I found one that worked pretty well and did help, but not enough to really cure all of my acne. That’s when I realized that, alone acne cleansers weren't really enough. My dad had been right about that part! I needed something more.

The answer for me was proper diet. Once I started to exercise regularly and eat less greasy food, my acne began to really clear up. I can not say that it went away completely right away. But it did get steadily better, until it was really not that bad. And you know what, my self-esteem is great, my complexion is good and I now have a manly physique.