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Consequences of Acne The most obvious potential effect of an eruption of spots, pimples or acne is that they can leave scars. As well as this, and more seriously, acne can have a psychological effect due to issues with body image and bullying. Appearance of skin problems during adolescence is a particular problem as acceptance by peers is a strong drive in youth, and physical attractiveness and general appearance become highly rated. Any cosmetic problems can therefore lead to self-esteem issues, problems with attending school, and in severe cases depression. It is a fact of life that acne occurs due to chemical changes in the body as can be read about on the causes of acne page, and in particular during adolescence which is naturally a time when people are less secure in themselves anyway. In studies conducted by doctors, several key issues were brought to light. In a person's behaviour they often find themselves feeling embarrassed and not wishing to engage in eye contact when speaking. A determination to hide their features often results in teenagers growing their hair longer then usual and wearing it forward to cover the face. Girls will naturally resort to wearing heavier makeup but the problem with this is that the chemicals in makeup can aggravate acne. Furthermore if the acne is not restricted to the face then youngsters will be less likely to want to participate in sports such as swimming, or indeed any sport in which changing or showering is required. The result of these factors can be that the children can suffer social withdrawal and any taunting or teasing will be harder to deal with. If self-exlcusion becomes worse then it can become difficult to form new friendships and lack of confidence will make forming relationships harder. In extreme cases a social phobia can arise and shy and reclusive behaviour will worsen things because this draws more negative assessment from those around. If fear of school develops then academic work will suffer and poor exam results can occur. It is not just a problem for school, but also in the work place. If someone doesn't feel they can confront the general public then taking sick days can become all too common and career choices can be limited. So if you are really worried about acne, and you have reason to believe it will effect you, perhaps by your family history, then it might be advisable to have an early treatment to lessen the overall impact later on. The most important thing to know is that if you are aware of the above problems, or you are concerned, then you are in a good position to start with. If acne is effecting your day-to-day life, or you are worried that it could do, then counselling can help build confidence and self-esteem. Most importantly, you should remember that there are many ways to treat the problem, both phystically and mentally. You can read more about what specific treatments may be suitable on the acne creams page. |
