Acne has destroyed me life.

[PrejudicePride]

I'm 26 years old.

A couple of years ago, I was studying economics at a RG university. Right at the start of my second year, I developed a pretty severe case of cystic acne. It cleared up eventually, but I was left with scarring not unlike what's shown in the linked picture here (maybe even worse). Warning: Graphic

I stopped attending school before final exams rolled around because I could no longer stand going outdoors. Since then, I have barely left the house and have been in contact with nobody. Pathetic, I know.

I have considered getting laser treatments. However, the improvement rate stands to be only approx 50-60%, which isn't good enough for me. I've also been on the relevant forums and am frankly quite perturbed by the number of people who say they have experienced fat loss a year afterwards.

My fund is running out soon and I'm starting to feel desperate. Even if it weren't, this isn't a way to live. It's awful. I feel awful. Like I'm Freddy Krueger or something. WWYD if you were me?

I agree with PP advice about anxiety - I used to feel the same. However I do think I've managed to massively improve the scarring on my face with salicylic acid peels, it costs a few quid for a bottle off eBay and I use it for a few minutes a couple of times a week. Use a decent moisturiser as it's really drying (I use a moisturising mask every night - don't wash it off). My skin is the best it's ever been and even the massive pores on my nose are definitely tighter now. Even if no one else notices a difference, it's changed my life!!

Poor you

I had bad teenage acne, left me with similar pitting (tho not quite as bad) and like a pp I now have quite bad adult acne and rosacea. Some days my face looks like a used saucepan TBH.

I think you need a 2 pronged attack is needed. Dermatologist for your skin, see what can be done. At the same time a psychologist for the damage this has done to your state of mind.