Acne: it seems to pop up in the most inopportune moments, not caring whether you have a first date or a job interview. Dealing with acne as a teen or adult can be tiresome, time-consuming, and mentally taxing. Not only do you have to worry about the condition of your skin, but you’re also focused on how others will perceive you and may even be concerned with how you’re beginning to see yourself.
Acne is more than a skin condition; it can have deep mental and emotional impacts, causing lasting scars without the proper coping skills. Here, we’ll be exploring the impact of acne on mental health, including its short and long-term effects and how to find treatment and support.
Photo by Anna Nekrashevich on Pexels
What Is Acne?
Often called zits or pimples, acne is one of the most common skin disorders in the world, affecting millions of people each year. While acne is a concern often faced by teenagers, adults can also experience it.
Individuals with this condition experience an inflammatory reaction on their skin resulting from the hair follicles becoming clogged with oil and dead skin cells. The result is whiteheads, blackheads, cystic acne, or other types of inflammation and red, dry patches.
Many people get acne on their face, but it can also appear on the back, stomach, neck, legs, chest, and shoulders. Essentially, acne can show up anywhere on the body as long as there are oil glands there.
What Causes Acne?
Acne has many different potential causes including hormonal changes, excessive sweat caused by exercise or humidity, and greasy or oily beauty products. It can also be triggered by someone constantly touching or rubbing their skin and even certain drugs.
Contrary to popular belief, stress doesn’t cause acne, but it can worsen it. It’s important to recognize that anyone can get acne, even if they regularly wash their face.
The Impact Of Acne On Mental Health
Acne can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and overall well-being. Here are some of the most common negative mental health outcomes experienced by those living with this skin condition:
1. Lowered self-esteem
Research shows that acne can negatively affect a person’s self-esteem, causing them to feel embarrassed, unattractive, or self-conscious. Because acne is often visible to everyone, those experiencing it may avoid going on dates, interviewing for jobs, or making new friends. This can take a significant toll on one’s happiness and satisfaction with life.
2. Poor self-image
People with acne may focus entirely on their skin, forgetting the other positive aspects of their personality and appearance that make them unique. They may compare themselves to other people, especially those they see on social media, in magazines, or on TV.
When they don’t live up to society’s beauty standards, it can lead them to feel negatively about themselves, contributing to a poor self-image.
3. Heightened risk of anxiety and depression
Experiencing acne can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. People with acne may feel more self-conscious when they’re around other people and develop anxiety in social situations where they feel like they’ll be judged or made fun of.
Constant worry about one’s appearance can cause emotional distress, including feelings like irritability, sadness, and helplessness—all of which can lead to the development of depression.
4. Hopeless feelings
Acne can be persistent, and it can take several different treatments and years to overcome. Some people even experience acne and/or scarring for the rest of their lives. This can lead people to develop feelings of hopelessness, as they may worry that their situation will never change and become pessimistic about the future.
These feelings can exacerbate mental health concerns like depression, of which hopelessness is often a symptom.
5. Loneliness and isolation
Acne can cause people to become so self-conscious that they start to avoid social situations, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Individuals may withdraw from social situations due to shame and embarrassment, even removing themselves from people they’ve known for years.
In some cases, these individuals might develop conditions like social anxiety, affecting their lives even after the acne has healed.
6. Feelings of unworthiness
When people with acne base their value on what their skin looks like, it can create feelings of unworthiness. These individuals may feel undeserving of love or acceptance from other people, exacerbating depressive symptoms and leading people to withdraw from others prematurely.
Some people may not feel good enough, pretty enough, or handsome enough to be in a relationship or have close friendships, even when others feel differently.
The effects of acne can range from person to person, as everyone experiences it to different degrees. Some people have the tools they need to cope successfully, while others may have a harder time learning how to manage the emotional and mental impact of acne.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Finding Support And Treatment
Those struggling with acne can often benefit from visiting a specialized skin doctor, such as a dermatologist. A dermatologist can come up with a treatment plan for the individual to follow and prescribe medications as necessary to reduce the presence of acne. Seeing a therapist can also be helpful for those who are experiencing negative mental health effects from having acne.
A therapist can help the individual learn new coping skills and self-care strategies, which can be instrumental in boosting their self-esteem and confidence and alleviating symptoms of mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Embracing Imperfection
There’s no doubt that living with acne can pose challenges to those who are affected. However, instead of chasing perfection (which doesn’t exist), it’s important for people to embrace themselves as they are, recognizing that it’s their imperfections that make them unique and special.
Constantly trying to live up to the beauty standards set by society can be exhausting and ultimately pointless, as everyone has different flaws, and no one is perfect. By being accepting of one’s imperfections, individuals can foster a strong sense of self-worth and confidence that isn’t determined by their outward appearance. Rather, they can learn how to love themselves and accept love from others— acne and all.
This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
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