According to recent studies, approximately 85% of people aged 12 to 25 develop acne. Even though acne mostly affects teenagers, people of all ages can suffer from it. People who suffer from acne, no matter their clinical severity, often experience negative social and psychological effects. The embarrassment or ridicule of having acne can significantly lower your confidence and self-image. It can also strongly influence your happiness and even lead to depression. There are many psychological effects of acne, so take a look.
Acne can make you feel depressed
Suffering from acne can often make you feel angry, anxious, overwhelmed and depressed. It doesn’t matter how severe or mild your acne problem is, your feelings are still relevant. Also, acne is not reserved only for teenagers. Adults with acne feel the negative effect just like teens. At times, adults can suffer even more because their acne has been resistant to all treatments and because of the greater social taboo concerning adult acne. So, if you feel depressed for a longer period of time, the best solution is to go see a professional.
Acne can affect your education and career
We all know that children can be cruel at times and often they choose to target their peers that have acne. Sometimes, the abuse gets so serious that bullied kids refuse to go to school, which then affects their academic performance. Some adults with acne take sick days from work because of their embarrassment, risking their careers and livelihood. Also, acne often affects people’s career choices. They usually rule out occupations such as modelling or any career path that relies on personal appearance. Additionally, people with acne are, on average, less successful in job interviews. They often lack confidence that employers want to see, resulting in higher rates of unemployment amongst people with acne.
Acne can affect your social life
Our society today emphasizes physical appearance more than ever before and every single one of us has something they would gladly change on our bodies. The problem with acne is that it usually appears on the face, the part of our body that is the most visible, so dealing with that imperfection can be tough. A big number of people with acne often times feels embarrassed and uncomfortable with their appearance. Some people even feel guilty because they think that they are responsible for causing their acne. These negative emotions can sometimes be so strong that they prevent people with acne from doing things they enjoy and want to try. Some people don’t want their pictures taken, and some avoid going swimming because they are embarrassed by their back acne. You must remember that if you feel this way, you are not alone. Most of the people with acne are self-conscious and say that it indeed affects their self-esteem.
acne is ruining my self esteemAcne can cause withdrawal and problems in relationship building
Nobody likes being made fun of, and acne can provoke a lot of negative comments and cruel taunts from other people. This causes the person to avoid social interaction and to withdraw from the world. Some find it hard to meet new people and form relationships, especially romantic ones. Since we mostly learn how to form new relationships when we are kids and teens, people with acne can at times lack the experience later in life. At times they end up being shy and reserved, and, in extreme cases, even sociophobic.
How to fight acne?
The best way to fight acne is to wash your face in the morning and in the evening. You can use some cleansers and lotions such as those from Ultraceuticals that contain salicylic and mandelic acids that exfoliate and unclog pores. You can also use moisturizers that prevent the formation of blackheads. Try not to pick or squeeze your spots to avoid scars. If you usually wear makeup, try those products that don’t contain oils. But, if you still experience acne or even scars and dark marks, it’s best if you see a professional.
Good self-esteem and positive self-image are a very important ingredient of a happy and successful life, and unfortunately, acne can ruin that for you. You can always find a professional who can help you with your condition or a friend who will listen to you. Take good care of your skin, find the right products, talk to an experienced dermatologist and your problems will most likely disappear. You’re not alone.
