Acne at an interview

[cuno]

Shamelessly making use of AIBU for the poll.

I have acne, currently I'm a care worker and no-one gives a hoot about my appearance. I don't wear makeup at all.

I'm currently applying for jobs including more professional roles. There seems to be more expectations with appearance (i.e. dressing smartly), which I don't mind. However, would interviewers be put off by my skin? As in, would they think I haven't put in the effort to look professional by not hiding my spots with makeup? Would they think I look like an absolute slattern?

YABU - if you don't wear makeup to hide your acne it looks unprofessional and untidy, interviewers will care
YANBU - it's a medical condition and has no bearing on your professionalism or looking smart, interviewers won't care

[quote avamiah]@cuno,

I totally understand everything you have said and I have been in exactly the same position you are now with your skin.
I had terrible acne from the age of 20 till I was 24 and I had been prescribed every antibiotic and cream there was and they didn’t do anything for my skin.
My Acne was only on my chin but it was terrible, big red spots and as soon as one went down another one would come up over night.

It made me feel dirty even though I cleaned my face constantly and showered sometimes 4 times a day.No matter how high the dose of antibiotics I was on nothing worked.
In the end my GP told me about Roaccutane but I’m 49 now so we are talking about over 20 years ago and it was only prescribed by a dermatologist as you had to be monitored on it and your weight and blood pressure taken and you had to have pregnancy tests as it can cause a miscarriage and severe abnormalities in the baby at full term.

I always remember being told that it can cause serious depression but I was already depressed with my skin as it was affecting my whole life anyway so I decided to take it .
You are prescribed pills and I had to go back every 4 weeks for a full review and for tests .

I noticed a change in my skin after 1 week as it wasn’t so greasy then after 3 weeks the spots were drying up.
It took to about 5 weeks till I noticed a difference .
I was on Roaccutane for about 9 months and my skin was clear from around 7 months.
I actually felt panic stricken when the dermatologist took me off it as I thought the acne would come back but it never did.
So I would recommend taking it but remember it’s not a over night cure so bare with it and it will work.

Good luck

Apologies for long post

X

I[/quote]
Don't apologise for the long post. I found it helpful and informative. I know my dermatologist mentioned I would have to go in every 4 weeks for blood tests and be monitored etc, so I presume it's very much the same as when you were on this medication. I'm really happy it worked for you.

@cuno,

If you feel nothing is working for you then maybe consider it.

[quote avamiah]@cuno,

If you feel nothing is working for you then maybe consider it.[/quote]
As you can imagine from my previous post about it, the main thing holding me back is the fear of getting pregnant on it. It's ridiculous because I'm not even sexually active at the moment, but somehow have it in my head that knowing my luck I'll end up having sex one time and get pregnant while taking all the contraception in the world. I would really struggle with having to have an abortion even though I'm pro-choice.

I voted YABU, even though I feel very uncomfortable doing so, because I am being honest.

Nobody should feel they have to wear make up at an interview, and nobody should be judged for having skin problems, but the sad truth is that a lot of people will judge, even if they aren't consciously aware of it.

I have moderate acne. It comes and goes depending on my life style. People certainly treat me differently when my skin is clearer.

@LadyPropane

I voted YABU, even though I feel very uncomfortable doing so, because I am being honest.

Nobody should feel they have to wear make up at an interview, and nobody should be judged for having skin problems, but the sad truth is that a lot of people will judge, even if they aren't consciously aware of it.

I have moderate acne. It comes and goes depending on my life style. People certainly treat me differently when my skin is clearer.

I totally get it! I've had to deal with judgemental comments my whole life about it. Well luckily most people don't care, but there are always those who do and feel the need to comment. I bet you've had the oh so helpful advice out of the blue about how to clean your face properly, I've had that a number of times as if I'm some dirtbag. Children make me laugh though, they are too honest, I remember there was this one boy who asked if he'd catch it if he got too close! 😂

I’m curing mine with Vicks. I know it sounds mad but hear me out: it has turpentine oil and eucalyptus and demodex face mites die from this. Tea tree oil does it too but Vicks seems gentler on the skin.

Oh and it only takes a week or two!

@DoorWasAJar

I’m curing mine with Vicks. I know it sounds mad but hear me out: it has turpentine oil and eucalyptus and demodex face mites die from this. Tea tree oil does it too but Vicks seems gentler on the skin.

Do you apply that to only the spots like you would with tea tree oil?

I’m also leaving care work and in the same situation as you. Care work at this care home destroyed my mental health. Have you thought of branching out into programming/cyber security? I’ve seen free training offered. Good luck anyway x

@DoorWasAJar

I’m also leaving care work and in the same situation as you. Care work at this care home destroyed my mental health. Have you thought of branching out into programming/cyber security? I’ve seen free training offered. Good luck anyway x

I haven't thought about that, do you have any links for info?

I'm currently off sick from the care home I work at, I genuinely have PTSD from there and cry and have panic attacks at the thought of going back. There are some truly awful care companies out there, people go into the business for the wrong reasons. Sorry to hear you are in a similar situation, but I'm happy you are getting away from it as well.

I’m slathering myself in it! 😃 Even on my back and all over my face, not just the current spots cause I want to kill all these face mites in all the pores, apparently they’re normal but in some they go crazy (do you have oily skin?) my DP applies it but that back treatment only takes a few days apparently. I just started a couple of days ago but it shrank these upcoming inflamed deep ones on my jawline/chin/forehead, it shrank them and brought them to small heads, when usually that process would take weeks or whatever. Oh my DP bought me deep heat today cause it has the same oils in it, for my back to try also.

@cuno

Then your Acne cannot be that severe if you think that there is a possibility that you will have sex in the near future even though your not in a relationship at the moment.
My acne was so Cystic and infected that I couldn’t even look in the mirror at times never mind going out and meeting somebody and that is why I took my chance on roaccutane and luckily it paid off.

@avamiah You sound like a charming person

Argh wtf there’s a glitch and I lost 2 long posts 😭 I’ll try again with my links later/tomorrow evening x

[quote avamiah]@cuno

Then your Acne cannot be that severe if you think that there is a possibility that you will have sex in the near future even though your not in a relationship at the moment.
My acne was so Cystic and infected that I couldn’t even look in the mirror at times never mind going out and meeting somebody and that is why I took my chance on roaccutane and luckily it paid off.[/quote]
I am in a relationship with my partner of many years, we are not sexually active right now since the trauma of my childbirth. I did not claim my acne was so severe, I said it is mild cystic acne. And please remember I do have a dermatologist for a reason. I am sorry what you went through but I haven't had the easiest ride for my acne either.

@DoorWasAJar

Argh wtf there’s a glitch and I lost 2 long posts 😭 I’ll try again with my links later/tomorrow evening x

Oh no! Mumsnet has been glitchy for me too. I keep having to retype messages. Not sure if it is to do with the new site launch?

I bet you've had the oh so helpful advice out of the blue about how to clean your face properly, I've had that a number of times as if I'm some dirtbag.

Oh yes, I've heard it all. People who had the odd zit as a teenager know all about it, and have lots of very helpful advice to give. Them cutting down on dairy products and bothering to wash their face twice a day cleared their little zit right up, so obviously that's all that is required for me to get clear skin. They know more than the dermatologists do.

I just completely blank people now. If they start on the unwanted and ignorant advice I just turn away from them and start talking to someone else, and if no one else is around I grab my phone and check my messages.

[quote avamiah]@cuno

Then your Acne cannot be that severe if you think that there is a possibility that you will have sex in the near future even though your not in a relationship at the moment.
My acne was so Cystic and infected that I couldn’t even look in the mirror at times never mind going out and meeting somebody and that is why I took my chance on roaccutane and luckily it paid off.[/quote]
This comment is horrible. You sound very bitter and resentful.

[quote DoorWasAJar]@avamiah You sound like a charming person [/quote]
Thank you

@PollyPage

It's 2023. Why do you have acne? Don't bother with soppy GPS, get one dermatology appointment, get medication and live your life. Fuck me, the NHS really is screwed. In the rest of the world this is on page 1 of the manual!

I have a dermatologist (referred by my GP believe it or not) and already been on medication, thank you. Perhaps read the full thread next time?

@PollyPage

It's 2023. Why do you have acne? Don't bother with soppy GPS, get one dermatology appointment, get medication and live your life. Fuck me, the NHS really is screwed. In the rest of the world this is on page 1 of the manual!

It's 2023

Could you PM me some winning lottery numbers for the next few draws?

If it's a Zoom interview, you can apply a filter that effectively looks like you have great foundation on.

More seriously... how you present yourself is part of the whole package. If you have acne, but you're wearing uncrumpled clothing and you've brushed your hair and/or tied it back, then it doesn't matter. You come across as someone who is well-groomed - you just happen to have acne.

If your hair is having a mind of its own and you're wearing clothes with lots of creases in them (even the type where it's intentional!) then the acne is not going to help that package.

If you come across as well-groomed with acne, then I'd probably subconsciously rate you higher, TBH, for being sensible enough not to make the underlying issue worse by caking it in foundation, and for having enough confidence in yourself to let the acne show, given keeping the skin clean and clear would be ultimately better for you, even though many people would feel self-conscious enough to opt for the makeup route. So... I think it could actually work in your favour.

However, that's probably because I'm female. I'm not sure a male interviewer would notice or care, TBH. Women often pick up on details and overthink them (whether consciously or unconsciously - we process a lot of trivial information).

I had to use contraption before I could go on isotretinoin even if you're single.

Anyway no I wouldnt judge having a facial difference myself. But if it makes you feel better then wear make up.

@PollyPage

It's 2023. Why do you have acne? Don't bother with soppy GPS, get one dermatology appointment, get medication and live your life. Fuck me, the NHS really is screwed. In the rest of the world this is on page 1 of the manual!

Jesus bit harsh! Even if do go for the isotretinoin option there's no guarantee it won't come back.

Also it is 2022.