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Updated 25 April 2004, 13.50 
A survey has revealed that four out of 10 pupils with acne can't concentrate at school because of their spots.
And a fifth actually take time off because of their dreaded red pimples.
We want to know how acne affects your life.
Do you have to take medication for it? And does it get you really down?
Let us know if you suffer from spots.
Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.
 I have had acne for 3 years and I am not the same person anymore when my acne gets really bad I don't wont to go out. I have tried using face wash and creams but they just don't work what can I do? Bobby, 13, Romford
I have spots on my back chest and face and when we go to the local 14-17's night I find it really hard to find a nice top that covers the front and back I even have a fringe now to cover the spots on my forehead!! Alice, 14, Mold
I get spots and used to be really bothered but now I don't really care anymore - people who bother whether I've got spots or not aren't worth it. If your really bothered by them, go and see the doctor. Jessica, 14, Southampton
I had really bad acne in yr 9 and I went the doctors, they gave me some powder to treat them. I haven't got them as bad as I did then. I think it's best to go the doctors early and get them treated as soon as possible. Amanda, 15, Stoke on Trent
I have extremely mild acne on my face. I often feel self-conscious but I don't wear as much make up as everyone else as I find make up makes my spots worse. I don't find that my acne stops me doing anything. I am intelligent and have a wide circle of friends - my only advice is don't worry, be happy and not too many people judge a book by it's cover. Ashley, 15, Billingham
I have acne all over my back but I still wear strappy tops and stuff. Because I have acne it doesn't mean I am going to hide it, none of my friends or anyone I know is horrible to me about it, besides it is not actually my fault. So why hide? Elsa, 15, Liverpool
Spots are part of life - hormones make them happen and nothing can be done, people have to deal with it. I've had psoriasis (much worse than spots) but they went away. People must stop worrying and get on with their lives. Most people go through it at one point or another so you're never alone. That's what got me through my skin condition. Mark, 15, Dublin
Acne is a horrible condition to get. I have tried lots of stuff to try and get rid of my spots - the good old natural stuff is brill! I suggest you invest in tea tree oil!!! Anna, 13, Belfast
I've had acne since I was 8 years old. I've got it on my back, chest & face. It really gets me down. I've been to the doctors & I've tried everything that they have given me but none of them worked. People also bully me at school & make fun of me. They judge me on my skin. I can't wear strappy tops on holiday or in England and that gets me down sooooo much! Charlotte, 13, Blackpool
Since I was 11 I've had a really bad spot problem on my back, neck, chest and arms and even going to the doctor didn't help. He put me on antibiotics years ago saying they take a few months to get going but my spots never went!!! Alice, 15, Lymington
Acne is a really horrible thing to have, though loads of people just put up with it and get on with life. I don't think it's worth worrying about. If I get it I don't think anyone I know will treat me differently. Dom, 11, Dorridge
I do suffer from mild acne and sometimes they get me really down. I've tried all the stuff you see on TV and even tried medication but still my skin's spotty. I really hope this new gel works so it can put me and other sufferers out of our misery! Jade, 13, Norfolk
I have quite bad acne, but I try to put it out of my mind. People like you for who you are - not what you look like. There's no need to be embarrassed - it's natural. Dan, 15, Plymouth
My cousin suffered from acne when she was 15, now she is 19. She never used to talk to anyone and always was grumpy. Her advice is go to the doctor if u have it as soon as possible. Don't loose ur sleep over it because it does go! Zishan, 14, Walsall
I have had acne now since I was 9 years old. I'm used to it by now, but I've been on creams and antibiotics since then and my acne just seems to come and go at different times. I'm not really fussed because everybody should get spots at some time in their lives! And if anyone should ever make fun of me, I can always tell them to look at Victoria B, Cameron Diaz or even Travis from Blink 182! Gilly, 12, London
I think that people who have bad acne just have bad luck - it's really nothing to do with cleansing. Sometimes that can help to keep random spots away, but acne is totally different. Jenny, 14, Norwich
I have acne but it's not all that bad. I don't get it on my face but I do on my chest and back. My advice is wash daily with normal soap and, even though it won't go away completely, from experience it will start to clear up gradually. Beckie, 14, London
I have a few spots on my face which are now clearing up but I do have some scarring left as I did used to pick at the spots like mad! Louise, 15, Suffolk
I've suffered from acne, for the last couple of years, it comes and goes, but when ever it comes backs it's the most gutting feeling in the world. My school work, social life and even my family have suffered all because of it. Hurry up with this new gel stuff! Jonathan, 15, Cardiff
I have spots and I hate it - they are so ugly. When a cure comes out to stop them I will buy it straight away. Emma, 12, Bath
I have had spots for ages - 3 years. I can't find anything that helps them. I just drink lots of water and eat lots of fruit. Sometimes I get really annoyed but it should not matter what you look like, should it? Alex, 13, Southampton
I have acne on my back, chest, and face, which causes me to not wear tanks or swimming suits if I can help it. I also hide my face hoping no one looks at me. Jessie, 15, USA
I think I'm quite lucky. I don't really get spots. I do get a few when I eat too many sweets and chocolate, but its only the odd spot that I get. But if you saw my brother you wouldn't know that we were related. he has the spottiest face ever!!! He uses all sorts of facial washes and stuff, but it never works!! I like to tease him about it when he's having a go at me!! Hannan, 13, Newcastle
My acne really annoys me, I've got it bad and I get picked on a lot at school because of it. Kev, 14, London
I had extremely bad acne from the age of 11, this year my doctor referred me to a dermatologist (skin specialist) I was prescribed strong medication to clear it up. My skin is now completely clear in a few months. My confidence is now so much better. To all acne sufferers my best advice would be to see your doctor because they will find something to solve the problem. It's definitely worth it in the end because the end result is great and you'll feel great! Alex, 15, Bury St Edmunds
I have acne on my back and I hate it so I tend not to wear strappy tops. its stupid but you can be judged on how many spots you have. Lisa, 15, Caerphilly
I'm really lucky because I don't have it, but if I did have it, I think I wouldn't be as confident as I am now. But I do think that people with acne should just do whatever they want to do and try to forget about it. Fliss, 13, South Yorkshire
I have spots and I really hate it. It's hurtful when people say stuff about it. I would pay anything for them to go away. Karen, 13, Sutton
I know people who have their lives ruined by acne (or so they say) but it's also weird the way some people don't have acne at all, but go mad over one little spot! Oh, big deal. Spots are just part of us. Hazel, 12, Cambridge
I have a few spots sometimes and I put tea tree oil on them. I also wash my face morning and night. does the hot flannel towel thing really work? Meg, 12, Reading
I have acne on my face, back and chest. I am so embarrassed to go swimming. And my face looks like I have a bad skin condition. I hate it! Nicole, 15, New York
I don't have it but a friend of mine has really bad acne - but she's one of the happiest and most confident people I know. Anna, 12, Cardiff
My acne is terrible and I've been given prescribed cream but it isn't really clearing up. I don't want it to spread anymore and would do anything to get rid of it for good. Tom, 14, Essex
I have a quite a few spots on my face-but it's ok cos I can cover them with concealer-so long as I don't get caught at school and told to wash it off! Laura, 14, Birmingham
I have acne but it is so common for teenagers that I don't feel embarrassed and I would rather let it heal naturally then put chemicals into my body. Spots are part of growing up and at the end of the day, no medicine can make them go away completely. Natalia, 16, USA
I have had bad acne sine I was 9, and it always gets me down. I have to take tablets to stop it, I hate having spots it's horrible! Lizzie, 15, Kent
Yeah, acne can get you down, but life is too short to stop living because of it. I think the worst thing for me is that my friend will sit next to me and class and just start talking about all my pimples! I mean it's embarrassing enough. Alicia, 14, Saline
I'm quite lucky. I don't have it, but my brother does and he doesn't like going out sometimes 'cos he's too embarrassed. Kerry, 13, Devon
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How much do you know about acne?
