Acne is one of the most common skin ailments that predominantly effect teenagers, but it can affect older individuals as well. It is caused by a lot of factors, of which heredity is one. What a person eats as well as the stresses one goes through can also cause acne eruptions or acne break-outs. Individuals who have oilier skin than others are also more prone to acne eruptions and the discomfort that is associated with them.

Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules are not the only manifestations of acne. Due to the stress and anxiety resulting from acne breakouts, a person also suffers emotionally and psychologically from acne.

Acne: Emotional and Psychological Effects

Acne can bring about a lot of negative emotions, not only in the person suffering from it but in other people as well.

The individual who has acne feels bothered by the acne break-outs. He often feels angry at himself. He is dissatisfied with himself; he feels ugly and unattractive. It does not matter if he has the most symmetrical face or if his individual features are beautiful; all he or she sees, are the acne eruptions and his problem areas.

A person with acne also feels dirty. They typically wash their face regularly or apply over-the-counter acne medications. However, they do not feel better about themselves. As long as the acne break-out remains uncontrolled and unabated, their negative feelings and perceptions about their selves remain. Because of this, depression sets in and their self esteem gets even lower.

The people who are around a person with acne are also assailed by negative feelings. They associate acne with poor hygiene. They think that it is the person's fault why he or she suffer from full-blown acne eruptions. They erroneously believe that poor hygiene is the only thing that leads to acne. They do not consider the fact that acne is caused by a lot of factors. Unfortunately, these people's unjustified feelings and thoughts are often expressed through their facial expressions and through the side glances often thrown at the person who is suffering from acne.

The negative reactions of the people around him make the individual suffering from acne suffer even more. They become even more angry and withdrawn; they avoid social gatherings so they won't have to see the side glances and the expressions of distaste on other people's faces.

Combating the Emotional and Psychological Effects of Acne

First, there is a need to understand acne and what causes it. This will help the person with acne combat their negative feelings about themselves. By understanding the causes of acne, they will understand that some factors (like hormones and heredity, for instance) are well beyond their control. Therefore, it will do them no good to blame themselves for their acne condition.

Knowing about the causes of acne will also help the individual work on the things or factors that are within their control. They can change their lifestyle and their diet so that they won't unknowingly exacerbate their acne. They will also become capable of judging the acne medications and acne treatment regimens in the market so they can choose to try out only those that can actually be effective in resolving their acne.

The knowledge about the real causes of acne will also help other people become more understanding and less judgmental about a person who has acne. They will understand that, oftentimes, it's not the person's fault that they are suffering from acne break-outs.

There is also a need to teach everyone ? those with acne and the people around them ? that acne is not something one should be embarrassed about. Acne is a medical condition, and those who suffer from acne must seek medical attention from a professional so that their acne can be treated.

The emotional and psychological effects of acne can be extremely stressful, and stress can worsen acne. Clear skin is not a pipe dream or only reserved for those with the perfect genetic makeup. Use the tips in this article to control your stress and this alone could help to reduce acne.