For those of you suffering from acne, know that you are not alone. I have had acne since I was 14. It's pretty such cleared up now, I usually only get breakouts around my period, but when I was younger it was bad!!! I have tried everything, the creams, the pills, birth control, you name it- I tried it! I had it on my face, my neck, my back, it was terrible- I couldn't wear normal tanktops because I was so embarassed. I used to wear t-shirts over my bathing suit. I can't use over the counter anything- it makes me breakout worse, and my skin gets so irritated and red, I get red rings, and blotches around my neck. The first medication that I used that really worked was, diferin gel, I swear by it, but once my skin cleared up, I stopped using it, and them it wouldnt work anymore, so - even if you find a medication that works, don't stop using it. Then I was switched to tretinion cream 0.05%, that worked really well, but then again during the summer I stopped using it and now it won't work for me anymore.
My message is- don't give up!!! I know how you feel. There are treatments out there that work, you just have to find them!!! I would have to say that the worst thing in the world is to have bad acne, get rid it, and then get it back- believe me it really sucks and I made me so self conscious.