Acne

But when I went to high school, my skin suddenly erupted and my forehead and chin were angry and red. I became very self-conscious and began comparing myself unfavourably to all the other girls.

From that moment on, my acne has always been there. It got to the stage where I thought everyone was looking at me. I was never bullied at school but my older sister used to tease me about it, saying my face was like a join-the-dots book.

I tried all the over-the-counter products, but nothing made any difference. I went to my GP who prescribed various lotions and creams, including one that smelled terrible and made my skin turn yellow.

I was referred to a dermatologist but had to wait six months for an appointment. I was counting down the days.

When I was younger, I used to be quite outgoing but in my teens I reverted to shutting myself away.

I had such a phobia about my skin that I refused to have a mirror in my bedroom and I used to wear scarves and baseball caps to hide my face.

The dermatologist prescribed a course of drug called Roaccutane, which improved my skin dramatically.

But I began to feel depressed and would pick arguments all the time – which, I believe, was due to the side effects of Roaccutane.

When I stopped taking it my skin got bad again and, this time, the spots were beginning to leave scars. After that I tried a drug called Dianette and tea tree oil, but neither helped.

By now I was 16 and my social life was suffering. I did have a boyfriend but when we broke up, it knocked my confidence and I shut myself in my room for three weeks. I began eating too much because I was so miserable.

Later, I had a job working in café, where I was supposed to serve people. But I always ended up doing the cooking because I didn’t want people to see me. I couldn’t look anyone in the eye.

All my wages were going on creams and make-up, which I used to cake on to try to hide my spots.

My sister tried to drag me out clubbing but in one club I wouldn’t dance because the floor was surrounded by mirrors. I felt like all my friends were talking to guys but none of them would be interested in me. The only way I could have fun was by drinking myself into oblivion.

I saw another dermatologist who gave me an antibiotic and steroid creams. I also tried microdermabrasion, which is like sand-blasting the skin, but that made it even worse. Only the sun seemed to help, so I become addicted to sunbeds.

I had given up hope when I read an article about Nlite laser treatment. Even though it meant travelling to London I thought it was worth a go.

I paid £1,000 for a package which included a consultation, four laser treatments and two peels. I was told that the laser would kill the bacteria on the surface of the skin which causes acne, while another part of the procedure would help my scars to heal. I had my first session in March, 2004. I could feel a slight tingling and, through the goggles I was given, see flashes.

Within two days the spots had started to go down. Two weeks later I went back for more laser treatments and my skin got better. It was amazing to see all that angry skin going.

I was also given two creams – one antibiotic, one steroid – and part of the treatment involved chemical peels which take off the top layers of skin.

So far, I had four laser treatments – the last one a year ago – and two peels.

I worked out recently that, in total, I have spent about £10,000 on various treatments, creams and all the make-up. But at last I feel I have come through it.

Everybody has noticed a difference. I still get the odd spot but they soon go, and the scars have faded. Because of all the problems in the past my skin is slightly pitted but my life has changed dramatically.

I am out all the time and I feel much more bubbly and confident at work.

I have even got engaged to Toby, who I met when my skin was still bad. Through it all he has been very supportive.

In the past six months I have had albums-full of photos taken because for years, I refused to pose for the camera. The acne took away a big part of my life.

Camilla was treated at the Private Clinic in London.



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