On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is it to have acne? (1 being "no big deal" and 10 being "devastating")

Rose, 17, Nokesville, VA
"If it's time for school photos, it's definitely a 9 or 10. Or, if I have a date-then, definitely a 10."

Alison, 13, Minneapolis, MN
"Not devastating but it is a big deal..."

Jonathan, 16, Shrewsbury, MA
"Who cares? Yeah, they're not fun, but I could really care less. Zero."

How does acne make you feel?

Michael, 14, Scottsdale, AZ
"Girls think it's ugly-which really stinks, cause it's not anyone's fault."

Rachel, 18, Worcester, MA
"Eww, gross, ugly, and pitiful. They [zits] are an object of derision."

Scott, 15, New York, NY
"I wouldn't go up to a girl and ask her out if I had some big zit on my forehead."

When you've had a breakout...what do you do?

Lee, 16, Berkeley Springs, W. VA.
"I hide. I know I'll eventually learn that life will go on and it's the inside that counts ...but there's so much competition in high school."

Rob, 18, New Brunswick, NJ
"I steal my sister's zit stuff. It works great."

Shirah, 19, Gaithersburg, MD
"Don't make it the end of the world. Let it be simple, let it heal. Don't cover with make-up-it makes the situation worse."

Does our society-with its emphasis on gorgeous people-need a lesson on what's really important?

Rose, 17, Nokesville, VA
"Well, duh, especially in high school, which is society intensified."

Aaron, 15, Brooklyn, NY
"Yeah. When I have a breakout, I know I'm not dirty. But with all of the stuff in magazines, it seems like you have to look perfect."

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Issue: September 2007