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This woman was told by internet trolls that her cystic acne resembled sandpaper but she’s since learnt to embrace her skin after finding love.
Madeline Roberts from Tennessee in the US first developed cystic acne at the age of 14, causing her to feel ashamed of her appearance.
“I had my first spot when I was nine, which I remember because my gymnastics teammates and I were all shocked that I had a big spot right on top of my nose,” Madeline said.
“It felt like it was there for an eternity because my mom wouldn’t let me pop it. It eventually went away, and I didn’t have another until I was 14, when I developed cystic acne.
“When my acne started to hit me full force as a teen, I wanted it gone immediately. It hurt, it was ugly, and it made me lose my self-confidence.”
The portrait photographer tried numerous acne treatments but didn’t see any improvements.
Madeline also feared dating because she didn’t think anyone could accept her appearance.
“My acne and scarring were most severe when I was about 20. That’s when I decided to finally try Accutane.
“At that point I felt hopeless. I felt like acne was supposed to go away after puberty, yet I was 20 years old.
“It was ridiculous that I had such severe acne after all the treatments I’d tried,” she said.
But when the 24-year-old met her now husband, Trevor (25), in 2016 her self-worth began increasing as she learnt to embrace her skin, regardless of scars and flaws.
Early in their relationship Madeline feared Trevor might break up with her when she had her first breakout, but she admits he’s put beauty into perspective for her.
Now Madeline no longer feels as pressured to look perfect by society’s standards and has stopped applying makeup every day before leaving her house.
“It wasn’t until I met my husband that I was able to fully accept myself, acne and all. He showed me unconditional love despite me feeling unworthy of it.
“He saw my heart as beautiful, which made the rest of me beautiful in his eyes.
“Before meeting him I’d cry from loneliness and thinking that no one would ever love me until I cleared up my skin. I even thought he might break up with me when I had my first bad breakout when we first started dating. But he proved it really is what’s on the inside that matters,” Madeline said.
Although the social media influencer has received some criticism for her acne, with online trolls referring to her skin as sandpaper, she wants to show people that having acne isn’t always easy and that their scars don’t lessen their beauty.
The young woman spent years believing her worth was dependent on her appearance but now hopes to inspire people to embrace their flaws.
“Ultimately I want girls to know they aren’t alone, and that there’s hope for healing but it might not be in the way they think,” she said.
“Many girls think they’re sad because they feel ugly from acne. In fact, they’re sad because they believe their worth is found in their outer beauty.
“When you find your worth in something bigger and less superficial, then you’ll notice the sadness over your acne disappear.”
Sources: Magazine Features
