Anyone who has struggled with acne knows that the issue goes far beyond aesthetics. There’s the social stigma, embarrassment, and insecurity, too. In fact, the mark that acne leaves can be long-lasting; not just in terms of physical scars, but in psychological wounds.
This, of course, should come as no surprise. According to studies carried out by the Ricart Medical Institute (IMR) in Spain, 60% of people are concerned about the possible physical or psychological consequences that having acne can bring. “Acne can be stigmatizing and place a great emotional burden on people,” Dr. Marta González, a dermatologist at IMR Madrid explains. “Even if you haven’t experienced it firsthand, you probably know someone for whom having acne has caused constant frustration and low self-esteem.”
An emotional burden
There are many ways that acne affects our psychological well-being. Dealing with chronic acne can put you on an emotional rollercoaster, one that’s driven by whether you have more or fewer pimples that day. And, according to the IMR study, mental health is rated worse among patients who have acne. “Many different studies have seen an association between acne and self-esteem; an increase in acne can lead to a decrease in self-confidence,” confirms González. “This can generate insecurities, affect social relationships, and generate anxiety and a low mood.”
This dip in self-confidence can be especially extreme for those whose self-image is already fragile or for those who equate their self-worth with looking good and what other people think. “It really depends on your personality traits and the importance you give to physical appearance,” says Laura Palomares, a psychologist at Avance Psicólogos. “It’s about the self-concept you have from the start. The people most susceptible to being negatively affected by acne usually already had low self-esteem.”
Confidence issues can also be a self-perpetuating cycle. And, it can get serious: changes in facial appearance resulting from acne can lead to an excessive concern about appearance, which can in turn lead to body dysmorphic disorder. “Body dysmorphia is a subjective perception about one’s own body, or some part of it, in a disproportionately negative way,” explains Palomares. “A person with dysmorphophobic acne will focus excessively on the appearance of their skin and their acne, negatively affecting their mental health.”
The misinformation age
Having a distorted image of oneself and an obsession with wanting the acne to improve can lead to ruminative thoughts on the state of the skin. This can lead to “behaviors related to excessive rituals or manias to hide or change it,” says Palomares.