Acne Articles

Many people who have never suffered from teen acne have no knowledge how devastating acne can be in an adolescence's life. The mental and social impact of teen acne in a juvenile's life cannot be understated. Adolescence is an opposing time because it represents a transformation between adolescence into adulthood. When a minor suffers from teen acne, the emotional hardships of adolescence can blow up exponentially.

Teenagers tend to be much more sensitive to their appearance and the judgments of their peers. In adolescence, physical appearance and conformity tend to be highly valued, so those youths who suffer from acne may feel socially devalued and ostracized from their peers. Even moderate acne, analysis shows, can have an emotionally and psychologically debilitating end result. Greater rates of anxiety, anguish, and low self-esteem have all been linked with the existence of teen acne.

Because adolescence is a period of increased over sensitivity, even mild acne can cause significant emotional pressure on a youth. Most teenagers with acne tend to develop a negative self-image. This may lead to a withdrawal from friends and family. Teenagers may feel stigmatized by the label of 'bad skin,' and may turn away from social situations. Even the most outgoing individuals may find it difficult to interact comfortably with their peers. The weight of teenage acne may also advance to poor classroom performance, lack of participation, deficient school attendance, or unfavorable behavior.

It is not unique that kids with teen acne face what psychologists have termed 'dysmorphophobic' acne. This refers to cases where the youth perceives that their acne is much worse than it really is. They may express feelings of disgust and loathing at their acne. Since most adolescents are hypersensitive to their appearance, even the mildest indication of acne may put off some teenagers greatly.

In these cases, it is recommended that the individual call upon a skin expert, such as a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to make clear the individual processes of the skin, and authorize the appropriate regimen. A visit to the dermatologist will help put things in perspective. With a bit of expert advice, a individual with dysmorphophobic acne can understand that their acne could be much worse, and that mild cases of acne are quite treatable.

What are some added problems that adolescents with teenage acne face? Teens with acne may suffer from low self-esteem and a negative or even distorted body image. Many acne sufferers may feel socially drained because of their blemishes. They may have a difficult time socializing normally, and have trouble making eye contact, above all when meeting or speaking to strangers.

Adolescent acne sufferers may rely on certain 'crutches' to help deal with the problematic aspects of their appearance. Acne sufferers may use glasses to pretend to detract from or mask their acne. They may grow their hair long, or style their hair so as to hide parts of their face. Many young women may depend on heavy foundations, concealer, and additional types of make-up to conceal their acne problem. Even though it may further amplify their acne, teenage girls may feel like they have to wear make-up.

Teenage boys, in turn, confront their own set of challenges. Adolescent men may feel at a disadvantage to their female counterparts because they have no solution by which to cloak their acne. Teenage boys may feel like they cannot join in certain sports or physical activities that demand them to disrobe in locker rooms or remove some piece of clothing, such as swimming. Boys may also feel socially apprehensive and even handicapped because of their acne.

Adolescents who suffer from teen acne may find it especially troublesome to form personal relationships. Most adolescents live through periods of insecurity in developing relationships with members of the opposite sex. These insecurities compounded with the stigma of 'bad skin' can weigh upon any efforts to expand personal or romantic relationships. Adolescents with acne may feel so stigmatized that they may abstain from typical teenage activities, such as extracurricular activities, school dances, proms, dating, and other activities.

If you sense your teen's acne could be affecting more than just his or her complexion, seeking professional help from a dermatologist could help put things in perspective and ultimately lessen the burdens of being a teenager. Besides helping to clear away those blemishes for your teen; it could also relieve other burdens that could be a direct result of teen acne.