"What happened to your face?!"

My own dermatologist said to me "Are you as concerned about your face as I am?" I made it through the appt, cried all the way home. As soon as I told my parents what they said, we found someone else. People like that are just a**holes. I found my life a lot better when I started tuning out all negative commets. Sorry you had to hear that, but it made you who you are, and you can fight it.

Geez, Linzi. I am SO sorry about that. Actually, this happens to me ALL THE TIME. I've decided most people are just stupid and thoughtless. For 2 years now I have had disfiguring scarring on my neck, so I am constantly wearing turtlenecks and scarves to hide the damage (there is also a small place there that I am still picking at--still! Aargh!). Since the scarring is so severe, it actually pulls at that side of my face--which means that I am often unconsciously tilting my head or shrugging my shoulder to alleviate the skin tension. At least ONCE A WEEK (truly!)I have someone say, "Hey, what happened to your neck?" Inevitably, I offer some lame response and then walk away quickly where I burst into tears because it is yet ANOTHER reminder of how freakish I must look. Just two weeks ago, I was at the pharmacy waiting on a prescription, and the assistant manager was back there, too. He said, "Aww, are you sick?" I replied no, to which he then said, "Well, I was just wondering because you are wearing a scarf like you have a cold or something." I quietly and quickly replied that I had scarring on my neck, thinking that would shut him up. But nooooo, he then asked me how I got it, if I'd had surgery or something. He wasn't trying to be mean but seriously?? I just held up a hand to stop him from talking and said, "That's enough." He stammered an apology, and we were both embarrassed. I had to quickly check out because I was starting to cry. Poor girl at the register had no idea what was going on. All this to say, Linzi, that people are clueless and rude. Most often the queries have been by male co-workers who just have no idea how insensitve they are being. I am constantly amazed at their tactlessness. All those questions do is just eat away at what little self esteem we have left. I am waiting to get the courage one day to face them when they say "What happened to your neck?" and reply with "I don't know. What happened to your manners?" One day.... :) Hang in there, Linzi!! Try to just shrug it off. Don't let their rude questions and comments damage you further than you're already damaging yourself. You can beat this!!

That is the worst. I have been in that situation before and it is crushing, but you can't let it get the best of you. I had been doing really great with not picking for the last few months and my skin was really clearing up but last week I relapsed and picked really bad...stress triggered. Well, I am taking summer classes and I am usually so conversational with the girls in my class and we typically walk out to our cars together. Not today....I went in and acted as if nothing was wrong and I looked just as normal as ever....they all avoided me like the plague. And one girl actually said "Oh my god, what happened to her face?" To someone else in our class....I was not out of earshot. Seriously? I am 24, and one of the oldest girls in the class but I really did not expect that kind of immaturity and disrespect from 20 something's. I felt horrible and the whole way home I just wanted to get back to my house and sit in front of my mirror and pick....instead I put some bandaids and aloe on my face to keep my fingers away and reminded myself that I am beautiful and that those girls are not my friends and their opinions don't matter. So, tell yourself that because I am sure its true! :)