Acne is one of the most common skin disorders in the world, causing blemishes and pimples, especially on the face, upper back, shoulders, and chest. Acne primarily affects teens, with most people suffering less as they age. However, many people still suffer from acne well into their adult lives, and if not treated properly, acne can lead to scarring.
The rate of acne breakouts varies per person; some might have mild, moderate, or severe. But regardless, they can lead to a severe negative impact on both the body image and self-esteem of a person, especially regarding social acceptance and behavior, where others expect physical standards.
Individuals affected by acne tend to think they are outcasts as their physical appearance doesn't match that of their friends. So it goes on and on, leading to peer pressure, where one wants to meet the physical appearance standards of society.
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Impact of Acne on Self-Image
Acne negatively impacts the victims; people who suffer from it lack self-confidence, whereby they are ashamed of the pimples on their faces. They might consider themselves ugly and unattractive, which makes them desperately seek treatments or ways to hide the spots. Some people let their hair grow long so that they may cover their faces to prevent acne from being visible to others.
Acne affects both genders, and when it comes to teenage males, they might choose not to participate in activities like swimming - especially if they have bad breakouts on their shoulders, back, and chest. Swimming is a sport where you will change in public dressing rooms, so having spots can inhibit one from joining in and participating.
Girls are always sensitive to their physical appearance, with social media and peer pressure having a particularly negative effect. Having acne on their faces often makes girls apply excess makeup to hide the blemishes. Unfortunately, they use makeup without considering the possible impacts of excess cosmetic usage.
Tips for Acne Treatment and Scar Prevention
Whenever you have a bad breakout, you can consult your doctor, who will take you through the advantages and disadvantages of treatment options. Unfortunately, it is very hard to get rid of acne scars, but with the following tips, you will be able to reduce the chance of developing acne scars in the first place.
Don’t squeeze
Avoid squeezing your pimples as it will just make the condition more complicated than before. By squeezing, you might push bacteria and pus deeper into your skin. This makes the inflammation even worse, making the blemish take a long time before it completely heals itself. In addition, squeezing can cause scabs to form and might lead to permanent scars. If you squeeze, make sure you apply the right disinfectant on the wounds to prevent any further infection.
Treat acne upon the breakout
Early treatments enable you to control acne, but only if you treat it the required way. Whenever the infection persists, you should visit your primary doctor.
Early treatment keeps the acne under control, preventing any breakouts from worsening. Also, it prevents the development of pimples; when these are controlled, you will not experience any scars.
Avoid picking scabs
Scabs have a critical role on the skin, so you should avoid picking at any cost. On the skin, scabs act as a natural bandage, protecting the wound as it heals. So when you pick out the scabs, you will be interfering with the healing process and significantly increasing the risk of developing scars.
Use extra sunscreen
Sunscreen is very important, especially when you are in a place where you are exposed to the sun for long hours. It helps your skin from being oily and prevents drying; remember that dry skin is always prone to acne. Therefore, always use extra sunscreen every moment you carry out your activities under bright sunlight.
