Severe Acne Viral Video Offers Sufferers Comfort and Hope
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Brian has suffered from cystic acne for the last seven years. His heartbreakingly honest video relating the emotional pain it caused him in high school has gone viral. Brian wept on-camera as he told of the day when he broke down in school after being taunted by students, including his own best friend.
Today Brian’s skin is clear! He joins The Doctors to talk about how painful acne can be for teenagers. “I don’t think people understand how traumatic it can be,” he says. “I wanted to make videos and a channel where people could come to be comforted, just by seeing someone else who’s gone through it and understands.”
Watch: Ask the Derm: Acne Edition
Brian tried all the traditional medical treatment options. Accutane helped for some time, but his acne began coming back. His breakthrough came when he tried eliminating dairy – his skin began to clear, and became better still when he began “megadosing” vegetables, eating 8 to 10 servings a day. Now his skin looks great and even his old acne scars are beginning to disappear!
ER Physician Dr. Travis Stork says that he’s just given a media interview about “beauty tips” – his number-one recommendation was that what you eat is the greatest factor in the health of your skin, “But no one seems to get that! You’re a shining example.”
Watch: Teen's Skin Is Causing Her Emotional and Physical Pain
Ob/Gyn Dr. Nita Landry adds that medications like Accutane have systemic side effects. “It’s a big deal!” she says. On the other hand, Brian’s current lifestyle is likely to improve his health even aside from his skin.
“I want to thank you for being brave, and I want to thank you for making these videos,” she concludes.
