When My Skin Hurt and So Did My Heart: The Emotional Side of Acne and Cold Sores
A personal story about shame, self-acceptance, and what deep healing really looks like.
Acne and cold sores don’t just show up on your skin—they hit your heart, your sense of safety, your nervous system.
In this piece, I’m sharing a raw, real moment from my own healing path that speaks to the emotional toll of skin conditions—and what it looks like to meet yourself with care in the middle of it all.
Me sporting a cold sore and teary eyes. All part of the healing process :)
When My Skin Flared, So Did My Emotions
As I write this, I have cold sores all over my face—three visible ones on my lips, and both nostrils lined with them. My skin stings, burns, and aches in that unique way it does during the healing phase.
It’s deeply uncomfortable.
But the physical pain is only one part. What feels harder, in many ways, is the emotional vulnerability that rises with it. There’s no going around the shame, the self-consciousness, or the twinge of PTSD from my chronic acne days. I remember those years vividly—how I used to hide, how I didn’t want to be seen.
And even after doing this emotional work for quite some time, I still notice those old urges rise up: to cover my face, to avoid being seen, to try and hide what feels raw and red.
That’s human. That’s me being human.
The Inner Work Beneath the Skin
At the same time, there’s another part of me that’s present—a part that’s been cultivated slowly over the years. A steadier part. A deeper root.
I’ve been learning to tend to my self-acceptance like a delicate plant—showing up with care, patience, and gentleness, even when it doesn’t feel natural or easy. And somewhere along the way, that inner care began to grow strong roots. It’s not flashy or perfect, but it’s real. It’s resilient.
It’s this part of me that can pause, even with a face full of cold sores, and say:
“My body is doing healing work right now. My skin is not failing me—it’s moving through something.”
That shift in belief has become a lifeline. It reminds me that outbreaks, scars, and imperfections can be signs of movement, release, and transformation—not just damage or dysfunction.
A Gentle Approach to Healing Cold Sores and Acne
My job right now isn’t to fight my skin or fix it.
It’s to hold myself with compassion while my body does its work.
Yes, I still look forward to the smooth skin I know will return. But I don’t place my peace on the other side of that outcome anymore.
Right here, in the middle of the discomfort, I can offer myself:
Grace
Patience
Presence
And you can too.
If You’re Struggling With Skin Flare-Ups…
You’re not alone in the emotional waves that come with breakouts. Whether it’s acne, cold sores, or any other skin flare, your experience is valid. Your pain is real. And there’s a way through that doesn’t involve more shame or harshness.
If this resonates, you might also want to read:
👉 The Emotional Root of Acne: A Healing Story About Skin, Joy, and Coming Home
👉 Healing Adult Cystic Acne: My Somatic and Emotional Journey to Clear Skin
I truly believe your skin can find lasting relief.
That’s the heart of this work — freedom that comes from listening to your body and spirit together.
I give your Spirit a voice.
Through emotion, imagination, and the living language of the body, we listen to what your deeper self has been trying to say.
And when that voice is finally heard, the body begins to heal.
Because the spirit has spoken, the body has delivered its message, and something inside can finally rest.
Healing starts in the invisible.
If something you’ve read resonates — maybe there’s a pull, or a quiet hum of interest — I encourage you to trust it.
I’d love to meet you!
Let’s spend a few minutes together on a Welcome Call and see if this connection feels right.
With love and tenderness,
Anne
