Acne can have a devastating effect on people's lives - it can have mental, physical and emotional effects. Just how serious an effect it has will depend on various factors, such as the person's emotional resilience and the severity of the acne itself. People who suffer from severe recurring acne problems often feel the effects more seriously.

In some cases, people who suffer with acne develop feelings of helplessness and defeat. Ultimately it can lead to social withdrawal and avoiding personal contact with people.

Even common things like going to school or work can become very difficult. Because they are often very self-conscious about their appearance, they feel that other people are laughing or commenting behind their backs. This problem can be particularly bad for teens.

This self-consciousness can ultimately cause their personality to change and they can develop feelings of jealousy and envy of people who aren't dealing with acne. These people may be classmates, siblings or coworkers.

While acne is commonly considered a teenage problem, there are many adults who suffer from it as well. Because it is often seen as a teenage problem, they are often even more self-conscious about it than teenagers are.

For these reasons, it is imperative that acne sufferers seek medical advice. A doctor or dermatologist will be able to make a thorough diagnosis of the condition and determine just how severe it is.

They will also be able to suggest the most appropriate treatment program, both for the physical condition and also for the mental and emotional stress than can be a result.

Seeking medical advice early on can often help to avoid more serious outbreaks and can help to stop the emotional effects before they become too severe.