Dental administrator Kat Neubrand never had any problems with her skin in her teenage years nor her 20s but after she turned 30 she started breaking out.
The 30-year-old from San Jose, California, U.S, developed painful cystic acne which broke out more frequently, and over time became bigger and more inflamed.
Kat’s skin problem left her feeling depressed, alone and questioning why it was happening to her because she assumed she was too old for acne.
So she hid behind heavy makeup and photo editing apps like Facetune when she uploaded pictures online.
But now, she’s decided to embrace her natural face and eschew the filters on Instagram to avoid ‘catfishing’ people and promote skin positivity.
‘I felt really depressed at first,’ she said. ‘I asked myself, “why is this happening to me? Aren’t I too old for acne?” I also felt really alone because none of my friends or family had or have cystic acne.
‘I decided that I need to stop hiding behind filters and Facetune and share my real face and story on Instagram.
‘My acne became so bad that I wasn’t able to hide it anymore, nor did I want to keep editing my photos. I felt like I was being a catfish on social media and I made the decision that enough is enough.
‘It was terrifying, but I received so much support that I knew this was the right thing to do.
‘Ever since then I’ve been posting unedited photos, sharing my struggles with acne, depression and anxiety in hopes that I can help someone else who struggles with those things.’
Kat can’t pinpoint why the condition started so late but since removing her contraceptive, some of her acne has cleared.
She also has a gentle skincare routine that she uses to cleanse and moisturise her skin and she takes Spironolactone.
Now she hopes others will learn to put down all the different makeup products and array of filters available.
‘You don’t need filters and photoshop to be beautiful,’ she added.
‘Just because that’s all we see on TV and in magazines, doesn’t make it realistic. We need to stop chasing unrealistic beauty ideals, just because society thinks they know what is supposed to be beautiful
‘Filters and photoshop only create more insecurities for us. They make us hide behind a mask because we don’t think we fit into society’s beauty mould.
‘Different is beautiful. Your imperfections make you beautiful.’
What is cystic acne and how is it treated?
Acne is a common skin condition that affects most people at some point. It causes spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that’s hot or painful to touch.
Cystic acne is the most serious type. It develops when cysts form deep underneath your skin. This can result from a combination of bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells that get trapped in your pores.
Cysts are large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring.
The cause of cysts is unclear but it’s linked to the male hormone androgen. Some women use birth control to manage acne by regulating their hormones.
The hormones in combination birth control pills can help reduce acne. The pills decrease the circulation of androgens, which decreases the production of sebum (oil, which makes acne more susceptible).
You should contact a dermatologist if you’re worried about your skin.
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