Hello,

I really sympathize as I had some of these problems when I was  your age. First, in regards to your hair, I suggest you and your parent(s)visit a hair salon that specializes in caring for ethnic / black hair.  You can get a hair cut that will bring out the beauty of your natural curls (which many straight-haired people pay a lot of money to acquire!)  and some expert advice and products to keep your hair soft and manageable. 

For your acne, your best bet is to visit a board certified dermatologist for prescription treatment, which is more effective and usually less expensive than over-the-counter and mail order remedies such as Proactiv. You and your parent(s) may find it helpful to read my article, "Six Strategies for Taming Teenage Acne" .

For your unwanted hair, please keep in mind that it is perfectly natural for all girls and women to have noticeble hair in some body areas, especially if they are dark-haired. If the hair bothers you, you can first try a depilatory cream (available from drugstores).  Another option is laser hair removal, though I recommend that you wait until you are at least 16 for this unless the hair is badly affecting your self-esteem and temporary hair removal methods are unsuccessful. This article may help you and your parent(s) to make the decision. You may also find it helpful to read this recent New York Times article on laser hair removal in teens, for which both I and  my own 13 year old daughter, Vidya Srinivasan, were interviewed.

Above all, I encourage you to share your feelings with
the adults in your life. It's tough to be a teenage girl in a society which bombards you with computer-generated, airbrushed, unrealistic magazine images of women with perfect hair and skin and no body hair. My daughter, Vidya, who's the same age as you, would like to send you this message: "Even though my mom is  a doctor who deals with skin and hair, my hair sometimes gets really frizzy and unmanageable, and I do get acne breakouts sometimes . The good thing is that if you use the right treatments, your skin will start to clear up-- especially if you're regular about it. I've found it also helps to eat healthy and avoid large amounts of greasy food and candy."

Please stay in touch and let me know how things are going!

Dr. Hema Sundaram