If home remedies and over-the-counter medicines aren't giving you the results you want, don't worry! Your doctor or dermatologist can prescribe stronger medications that may help. Talk to your doctor about trying a prescription topical treatment, such as a cream, lotion, or gel that you can apply directly to your acne. Your doctor may prescribe a retinoid cream, such as Retin-A. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A that fight acne by preventing clogged pores and hair follicles. You may need to start by using the product 3 times a week, then work your way up to once a day. Other prescription topical treatments include antibiotic creams with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, prescription-strength azelaic acid, or dapsone 5% gel (an antibiotic that also has anti-inflammatory properties). Oral drugs are medications that you take by mouth, so they work systematically (throughout your entire body) rather than directly on your skin. Before trying one of these medications, give your doctor a full list of any medications you are currently taking and tell them about any medical conditions you might have. This will help them choose a safe medication for you. Some common options include oral antibiotics (usually combined with topical medications, like benzoyl peroxide creams or retinoids) and medications that regulate your hormones, such as birth control pills or spironolactone. One of the most effective oral medications for acne is isotretinoin. However, while it's very good at fighting acne, it can also cause serious side effects, such as ulcerative colitis and severe depression. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks and benefits. Never take isotretinoin if you're pregnant or trying to conceive, since it can cause birth defects. Dermatologists and estheticians use chemical peels to help remove certain types of acne. Blackheads and papules are the main forms that benefit from this treatment, and it may result in smoother skin for you. Chemical peels can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and discolored areas on your skin. Ask your skin care specialist if this option is a good one for you. Ask your doctor or skin care specialist how to care for your skin before and after the peel. Your skin may be red, sensitive, or inflamed for a while after the treatment. Let your doctor know before the procedure if you're using any other treatments, such as retinoids, which could cause serious irritation if you combine them with a chemical peel. If you have scars from acne, laser treatments can help soften them and reduce their appearance. Ask your doctor or dermatologist if this is a good option for you. Since some people experience breakouts after a laser treatment, your doctor may recommend combining the laser treatment with a course of antibiotics. Other options for minimizing scars include using injected skin fillers, getting a professional exfoliation procedure (such as microdermabrasion or a chemical peel), or having surgery to repair severe scars.

Summary: Discuss prescription topical drugs with your doctor. Inquire about prescription oral drugs if your acne is severe. Look into chemical peels to help even out your skin. Ask about laser and light treatments to minimize scars.

Although it's tempting to return the taunts, try to rise about the temptation. Returning taunts with insults of your own will only serve to escalate the situation. Do your best to remain calm. It can be helpful to count to 10 when you hear a comment about your body or weight. This can give you a moment to think and avoid snapping. Consider three things when you hear what is perceived as a negative comment. Is the comment true? Who made the comment? Why would they make this comment? Some people may put others down due to their own insecurities. However, if the comment came from a friend or family member they may be genuinely concerned about your weight and coming from a place of support. Understanding the reasons behind a comment can taper some of the anger you may feel in regards to it. Consider the person behind the comment. Is this person often negative? If so, try to let it go. Their comments reflect their own problems, not yours. It can be hard not to lash out in frustration when getting comments about your weight. It might be helpful to think of a variety of witty comments to use in response when someone calls you skinny. You can make quick, somewhat factual comments to combat rude remarks about your weight. If someone says something like, "How do you stay so thin?" or "How can you eat that and not gain weight?" respond with something like, "Everyone's metabolism is different" or "It's just the way my body works." You can also respond to a comment with a question. This can call attention to the inappropriate nature of such comments. For example, if someone says "You are so skinny!" say something like, "Why does that matter to you?" or "Why do you need to comment on that?" Vague, open-ended questions can also be helpful. Respond with something like, "Why do so many people put value on appearance?" The person teasing you will not expect this response, but it will certainly disarm them. It shows you are confident and uninterested in their impolite and unwanted insults. You may feel unable to be funny on cue. Many people struggle with thinking of humorous comments in the moment. It can help to write down a list of the most common comments you get on your weight and spend some time thinking up funny responses. It can be helpful to exaggerate the insult or comment to call attention to its inappropriate nature of the comment. If someone says something mean about your weight, say sarcastically, "Wow, if you think my appearance is bad it's a shame you're not taking time to get to know my personality. That would give you some great material." Sometimes, the best way to respond to unwanted comments is simply by disengaging. Try your best to ignore comments about your weight. While it may be difficult, try not to take offense at insults. People who want to make you uncomfortable or feel bad thrive on your response. Ignoring comments will make them realize they're not getting the reaction they want. It shows you're more powerful than the aggressor. If someone continues to make aggressive comments to you even as you ignore them, remove yourself from the situation. This is sometimes the best way to deal with teasing. Simply leave the room or environment to show the teaser you do not find their comments to be acceptable. Teasing can sometimes get out of hand in social media forums. People may feel more bold in their teasing when it's not face-to-face. This kind of "cyberbullying" needs to be addressed. Don't respond in any way to the teasing and comments. Engaging with bullies online only encourages their venom. Use the block functions of your social media outlets and email to stop future comments and get rid of aggressors. Keep examples of the online teasing as a screenshot or email in case you need to show someone as evidence. In rare cases, cyberbullying gets intense enough that it requires police intervention.
Summary: Stay calm. Think of a variety of responses. Respond with humor. Ignore the comments. Find effective ways to deal with comments online.