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Society has put a lot of social pressure on physical appearance, having acne can seriously affect self-esteem and confidence – and, in some cases, it can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
As we all know, acne is a common skin disease experienced mostly by teens and young adults. In most people, the skin disorder would clear after a couple of years – usually from the late teens to early 20s.
The most debilitating effect of acne may not only be the physical scarring but the emotional and psychological scars that untreated acne can leave behind. However, what we may not know is that aside from the scarred face – which hopefully clears after a while – acne has a more subtle, deeper impact on the sufferer. Early and effective clinical treatment of acne is the only way to prevent the psychological and emotional damage that can persist even after the physical scars have healed. Its effects are not only skin-deep, as most people would believe. Cases of severe acne can have a devastating, non-physical impact.
As a visible skin condition, acne can have a profound impact on mental health, confidence, and self-worth.
Emotional pain
Unlimited negative comments may be given to your face – nasty comments coming from those who do not understand what you are going through, or even make you feel that you wanted to have the acne in the first place, in which case bullying happens. Others may hurl names like ‘crater face’ and the like. This bullying can cause self-esteem to plummet.
Having acne can bring a lot of emotional pain that you want to be alone and be left out, or not even bother to go out. In research studies, people with acne have said that their skin makes them feel unattractive, embarrassed, or self-conscious. These feelings can cause some to avoid trying out for sports, getting a part-time job, or participating in class.
Depressive symptoms
Having acne can make you scar your psychologically. It can make you feel depressed, angry, anxious, and overwhelmed. It does not matter if your acne is mild or more severe, your feelings are valid. The transition from having clear and smooth skin to having acne and its marks and scars that take months to be fully healed will make you feel sad whenever you look at yourself in the mirror.
Low self-esteem
Having this skin condition, your self-esteem will be shattered during an acne breakout. Everyone has something about themselves that they are not too keen on – whether it is the shape of your nose or the size of your thighs. But because acne typically appears on your face, the part of yourself that you show to the world, it has even more impact.
Takeaway
Acne is a common skin condition which many of us have struggled with at some point, particularly during our teenage years. But for some people, acne continues well into adult life and can have a severe impact on mental well-being.
In this digital era of social opinion and public opinion, wherever we look we are surrounded by images of beautiful people. It is easy to forget that they have been heavily retouched.
Anyone who has ever had a skin issue knows that it is more than skin deep – serious skin conditions and acne alike can have mental and emotional effects. It is no surprise that our emotions and mental state affect our skin, just as they affect other parts of our health.
Acne can affect more than just your skin – it can impact your entire life in different ways. Your family and friends may not fully understand just how acne influences your self-esteem. Even mild breakouts can make you feel less than confident. Start by understanding what acne is and what treatments may be appropriate and beneficial to you as an individual. Acne can be treated not by a magic wand, but with support from our friends and family and a large measure of patience, we will soon achieve the clear face we once had and want to have again.
Dina Relojo is the social media manager of Psychreg. She is a teacher from the Philippines.
