How Acne Scars Harm Self-Esteem and Confidence

by Michelle Strait

(This sample is from a much longer article)

Imagine you're three days away from your twenty-first birthday. Friends are throwing you a huge party, and everyone you know is invited. You've got brand new clothes, a new look, and can't wait to be the star of the party.

While checking your new hairstyle in the bedroom mirror, you freeze as you notice a cluster of small pimples on your left cheek. 

You realize in horror you're about to have an acne flair-up. It took months to get rid of your old acne scars, and now here acne is again. You decide there's no way you're going to your big party with a face full of pimples.

Acne scars and social stigma

Everyone has moments when they want to look perfect. Maybe they have a big date, want to attract someone special, or maybe their job depends on their looks. Nowhere in the world will you find anyone who wants acne.

In addition to acne scars that can ruin an otherwise perfect face, acne scars can also lead to social problems. It's not easy feeling or doing your best when you're dealing with acne. 

Remember high school? There was always one kid who battled acne all the time. Maybe the other kids teased with names like "pizza face" or "crater face". How do you think that worked when it was time to start dating?

The teen years are when teenagers learn to form relationships - both friendly and romantic. Teenagers with severe acne scars are less likely to develop the self-esteem and confidence needed to form these relationships. They can also start to exhibit social withdrawal. 

Having acne doesn't get any easier when you're an adult, either.

Acne and adults

The dermatology journal Dermatologic Therapy recently reported on how acne or remaining acne scars often hurt adult interactions. 

Job candidates with acne or severe acne scars are likely to do poorly in job interviews. And research shows that many employers, and a large percent of the public, perceive attractive people as more intelligent and competent.

People with clear skin and good looks have a higher success rate when it comes to jobs and promotions. This is unfair, but it's reality. Even mild cases of acne can cause serious problems.

Treating acne

Acne is an embarrassing skin disorder that has left plenty of ruined social lives in its wake. The disorder is common and easily recognizable. 

If your skin develops blackheads, whiteheads, or red or yellow spots that look greasy, then you have acne. It doesn't matter what color your skin happens to be or if you're male or female. 

According to the McKinley Health Center at The University of Illinois, acne is the most common skin disease in the world. 

It's estimated that 80 percent to 95 percent of all teenagers will have acne at some point before reaching adulthood. For some of them, acne will plague them into adulthood. Although males and females get acne at the same rate, males usually have more severe cases.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for acne. The goal of any acne treatment is to reduce the symptoms and prevent scarring. A dermatologist may prescribe an acne medication, but there are also ways to treat acne without a prescription.

(End of excerpt)