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159
School Wants To Accommodate One Student’s Condition At The Expense Of The Other’s, Teen Vents Online
Interview With AuthorAcne affects 9.4% of the global population, making it the most common skin condition. Yet, despite how normal it is, those who have it still endure unfair judgment and stigma.
For this Redditor, acne has been a long-standing struggle. Hoping to avoid further irritation, she finally ditched makeup and embraced her natural skin. What she didn’t expect was for her bare face to personally offend a classmate, who claimed it triggered their trypophobia and caused panic attacks.
Now, instead of support, she’s under pressure from students—and even her teacher—to cover up with concealer. Feeling isolated, she’s turning to the internet for advice.
RELATED:
After struggling with acne for a long time, the young woman finally ditched makeup to avoid irritation
Image credits: Bluesandisland (not the actual photo)
What she didn’t expect was for her bare face to personally offend a classmate
Image credits: Pressmaster (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Yeetoads
More than half of acne sufferers experience hurtful comments about their skin
We’re told not to judge a book by its cover, but if you have acne, you quickly realize that rule doesn’t apply to you.
A 2015 survey by the British Skin Foundation found that 56.8% of acne sufferers had been subjected to hurtful remarks—not just from strangers, but even from friends and family. Meanwhile, 95% said their skin issues affected their daily lives, and 63% reported a blow to their self-confidence.
Another study showed that 72.88% of people with skin conditions said it negatively impacted their intimate relationships, with some too afraid to date or admitting they’d been rejected because of it. Nearly 70% also reported difficulties in their work or education.
It’s ridiculous how much cruelty people with acne endure. A few blemishes shouldn’t be enough to shake someone, yet they often do.
I know this firsthand. My acne followed me from my late teens to my mid-twenties, flaring up at the worst times, ranging from mild to severe. Once, an elderly woman stopped me in the middle of the street and urged me to get an STD test because she believed that was obviously the cause of my acne—without so much as a hello. No introduction, no hesitation, just a stranger deciding my skin was her business.
Now that my skin has mostly cleared and I’m surrounded by people who support me, I can laugh at that absurd encounter. But behind the humor are years of frustration, exhaustion, and self-doubt, constantly wondering why nothing seemed to work.
Let’s not forget that acne isn’t just an emotional nuisance, it’s also incredibly expensive to treat. I don’t even want to think about how much money I’ve spent on skincare, medications, and dermatologist visits, all in the hopes of finding a solution.
The good news, however, is that it does get better. And even in the moments when it feels like it won’t, the right people will never make you feel like you need to hide. In fact, acne is a great way to filter out the judgmental ones—because who wants to be around people who treat you differently over something completely out of your control?
So be patient and trust that things will fall into place. You are so much more than your skin.
Image credits: Pablo Merchán Montes (not the actual photo)
In the replies, the woman shared more details about the situation
Readers responded by telling her to stand her ground
Update: “I won’t wear the concealer”
Bored Panda reached out to Yeetoads, the author of the post, to see how she’s feeling and what steps she’s considering taking next.
“I really appreciate the support and advice people have shared,” she revealed. “It was reassuring to hear from others who’ve been in similar situations and to know I’m not alone. People have also reached out to me privately, which has been really nice.”
At the same time, she noticed that many Reddit discussions tend to be very American-centric, leading some users to question her story simply because it didn’t align with their experiences. “It’s been a little frustrating, but overall, I’m glad I shared my story,” she said.
Since then, she has scheduled another meeting with her teacher, the principal, and “Callie” to discuss how things have played out so far.
“I want to make it clear that the way this was handled was unfair to me and that there needs to be a better approach if a similar situation arises in the future,” she explained. “I don’t know how receptive they’ll be, but I feel like I at least need to say my piece. I won’t wear the concealer.”
She also wants people to understand that acne isn’t something that can just be “fixed” overnight. “It’s not a sign of poor hygiene or something we’re doing wrong,” she said. “It’s often genetic, hormonal, or just out of our control.”
Aside from how it looks, acne can be physically painful too. “Deep, cystic acne can throb, itch, and even make simple things like washing your face or resting your head on a pillow uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels like having bruises all over your skin, and there’s really no way to get immediate relief.”
“On top of that, many acne treatments are harsh and can cause dryness, burning, and peeling, which just adds to the discomfort. The isotretinoin pills I’m on right now are causing these things, for example,” she shared. “It’s exhausting to deal with both the pain and the stigma at the same time.”
More than anything, she hopes people realize that acne doesn’t define someone’s worth.
“Acne sufferers aren’t ‘dirty’ or ‘careless’ about our skin. It’s often completely out of our control. And no one deserves to be treated poorly because of it. It doesn’t make someone less deserving of kindness or respect.”
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What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 months ago
"She wasn't always in my class. She transferred classes because she wasn't getting along with her old classmates." DING DING DING! Gee, I wonder why Callie didn't get along with her old classmates? I'd be very interested to know what "phobia" Callie pretended to have in her OLD class. And for OP or anyone else who thinks people can't "fake" a panic attack or dry-heave/cry on command - you bet you can! I can do both things on command/on purpose! It's not pleasant (especially since the dry-heaving has led to actual heaving a time or two) but it's absolutely doable on purpose.
Kathy Brooke 9 months ago
Yes, I spotted that detail. Wants to control everything and everyone and only live in a world of rainbows and unicorns. If acne has that effect, how does she ever leave the house?
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Panda Bear 9 months ago
You need to be responsible for your own triggers. I know it’s not your fault and it sucks but the world is not going to cater to you. Learn a healthy way to deal with them or avoid them when possible.
Zoe Vokes 9 months ago
Tell the teacher that Callie can sit at the front and OP can sit behind her so she never has to look at her. And to leave the room if she can’t stop looking at her if she has a presentation. OP can’t help her skin condition. Callie is purposely escalating the situation for attention.
Load More Replies...
PunchinelloTX 9 months ago
Might it be worth it to point out to the principal and teacher the other things in the classroom which might trigger Callie’s trypophobia? The acoustical ceiling tiles might have a texture of holes. What about the wall texture. Ventilation in shoes, fabric in bags and sweaters, the desk chairs. Ask that those all be removed as well if there’s pressure to wear concealer. All the triggers should be removed m, then. See how that goes over.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 months ago
"She wasn't always in my class. She transferred classes because she wasn't getting along with her old classmates." DING DING DING! Gee, I wonder why Callie didn't get along with her old classmates? I'd be very interested to know what "phobia" Callie pretended to have in her OLD class. And for OP or anyone else who thinks people can't "fake" a panic attack or dry-heave/cry on command - you bet you can! I can do both things on command/on purpose! It's not pleasant (especially since the dry-heaving has led to actual heaving a time or two) but it's absolutely doable on purpose.
Kathy Brooke 9 months ago
Yes, I spotted that detail. Wants to control everything and everyone and only live in a world of rainbows and unicorns. If acne has that effect, how does she ever leave the house?
Load More Replies... Panda Bear 9 months ago
You need to be responsible for your own triggers. I know it’s not your fault and it sucks but the world is not going to cater to you. Learn a healthy way to deal with them or avoid them when possible.
Zoe Vokes 9 months ago
Tell the teacher that Callie can sit at the front and OP can sit behind her so she never has to look at her. And to leave the room if she can’t stop looking at her if she has a presentation. OP can’t help her skin condition. Callie is purposely escalating the situation for attention.
Load More Replies... PunchinelloTX 9 months ago
Might it be worth it to point out to the principal and teacher the other things in the classroom which might trigger Callie’s trypophobia? The acoustical ceiling tiles might have a texture of holes. What about the wall texture. Ventilation in shoes, fabric in bags and sweaters, the desk chairs. Ask that those all be removed as well if there’s pressure to wear concealer. All the triggers should be removed m, then. See how that goes over.
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