

Tisha Campbell Presented Gabrielle Union With The Life-Changing Gift Of Therapy
There’s nothing like having a support system that not only shows up for your public wins but pours into you behind the scenes. And actress Tisha Campbell, 54 is a beaming example of that.
During a recent segment on the daytime talk show, The View, Gabrielle Union opened up about how the courage she gained to be transparent about life’s toughest moment was initially sparked. Union revealed that when she was 28 years old, she was blessed with the gift of therapy sessions from Martin star, Tisha Campbell — the purest investment into one’s well-being.
“I was lucky to come up with some OGs that were very transparent and they were very honest and they were not interested in watching me fail or flail,” Union shared during the episode. “Tisha Campbell paid for therapy for me. That was not covered by Sag Insurance by the way, out of pocket, like 10 sessions. That’s the one who really has your back.”
“So when I got into a position to where I have a pretty large platform and have microphones in my face every day, do I want to lie to the people?” Union continued. “Or do I want to share the information and resources and how I got out of the darkness and into the light?”
@shadowandact Did you know that Tisha Campbell paid for Gabrielle Union to go to therapy 🥹❤️ // 🎥: @The View #blackhollywood #letterboxd #gabrielleunion #tishacampbell #blackactresses #blackfilmtok #filmtok
Early this month, Campbell joined The View to promote her new sitcom Act Your Age alongside Yvette Nicole Brown and Kim Whitley. During their segment, host Whoopi Goldberg inquired about what promoted Campbell’s heartfelt act to Union.
“It’s funny ’cause I didn’t even think she would remember,” Campbell recalled. “It was just a moment in time for us and I was like ‘please just take this gift. I want you to have it,’ because I want her to win. I want my sisters to win.”
Campbell continued, “I want us all to win. There’s so many pitfalls, there’s so many things. The fame monster is an ugly, ugly thing that one can get addicted to. I really really wanted her to be okay, not that anything was wrong. It’s just that I wanted her to be supported.”
The recollection of the moment brought on an emotional reaction from Campbell, as she acknowledged that she shed tears while watching Union reflect on that significant exchange.
“It’s not a competition… but it is a support system that I wanted her to have,” Campbell shared.
Union first made mention of Campbell’s generous act during a 2021 interview with Bustlewhere she reflected on the growth she’s seen in herself from the age of 28 to now. “It was around that time when Tisha Campbell saw that I was struggling. She gifted me sessions with a therapist, who is my therapist to this day,” Union said.
“It might be one of the single greatest gifts anyone has ever given me,” Union told the platform.
Sometimes the greatest thing we can receive is the gift of being seen in our lowest moments. When we have people in our corner who want to see us grow and walk in our purpose, it not only helps us evolve, but allows us to share our stories in a way that will impact those behind us. We go so much further when we have a sisterhood and our community rallying behind us — in other words, get you a Tisha.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
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When you think about a pesky breakout, a blemish on your face, neck, or cheek may be the first thought that comes to mind. However, troublesome acne and the scars they leave behind take a whole new form of discomfort when they land themselves on your back, of all places.
There’s nothing more unpleasant than feeling soreness from a pimple that’s in a hard-to-reach location like your back. It’s hard to ignore the fact that landing a blemish there can be particularly difficult and stubborn to soothe, but fortunately for us, there are ways to manage, treat, and reduce back acne efficiently.
What Is Back Acne?
According to Cleveland Clinic, back acne, commonly known as "bacne," occurs when sweat, oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria become trapped within the pores of your back's skin. Friction caused by backpacks and purses and excessive sweat can exacerbate this condition, where acne can then form.
With this combination of factors at play, cystic acne bumps, blackheads, or whiteheads can develop and be tender to the touch.
What Causes Back Acne?
Since the back contains numerous sebaceous glands responsible for secreting sebum, an oily substance, bacne can form similarly to that of facial acne. Because the back area has this high concentration of sweat and oil glands, it is more prone to breakouts, with rubbing of clothing and constant coverage of the back playing a factor in the exacerbation of acne forming.
If our skin cells don’t shed properly, they can mix with sebum (oils) and block our pores. That, paired with the presence of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) on the skin, can contribute to the development of acne — which thrives in clogged pores. Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or when taking certain medications, can also increase sebum production and make you more prone to bacne.
How To Treat and Get Rid of Back Acne:
Managing bacne can be challenging, but certainly doable. With a diligent skincare routine, mindful lifestyle modifications, and, when deemed necessary, recommendations from your dermatologist, preventing or completely eliminating bacne can be achieved. Here’s how:
Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids can help unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Consider the application of these topical creams, gels, and cleansers in your skincare routine.
Hormonal Therapy: If hormonal fluctuations are a contributing factor, hormonal therapy like birth control pills or anti-androgen medications may be recommended. Birth control pills, specifically combined hormonal contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestin, can be a valuable option to resolve bacne.
These pills can often assist in reducing sebum production and alleviating acne by counteracting androgens and stabilizing hormonal fluctuations that could be contributing to your back acne. It’s advised to consult your dermatologist before initiating any particular birth control regimen.
Exfoliate, Exfoliate: Regular exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells, prevent clogged pores, and maintain pore clarity for healthy skin. Maintain a gentle circulation during exfoliation, as excessive scrubbing can lead to an over-removal of natural skin oils, potentially triggering another possible breakout.
Maintain Proper Hygiene: Keep the affected area clean by washing gently with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. After sweating, it’s important to remove your clothing to ensure that sweat is not trapped in your skin and thus promotes clogged pores and breakouts.
Avoid Pimple Popping: As satisfying as it may be, resist the urge to pop your breakouts. Squeezing or picking at back acne can increase inflammation and the likelihood of infection. When we break the skin around pimples, the healing process can be prolonged and potentially result in skin discoloration and scarring.
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