Recovering From Acne - Acne Expert

o Acne makes it easy for peers to label a patient as different or unattractive.
The Importance of Physical Appearanceno Numerous studies have documented the impact that physical appearance has on how well or badly a person is perceived by peers and/or potential employers.no Beauty is tremendously valued in our culture.no People who are not considered to be physically attractive are often shunned.
Fear of Acneno Although most people know that acne is not contagious, they are often reluctant to touch someone who has the disease.no Acne affects the face, which is an intimate part of the anatomy.no Patients with acne may not feel kissable or lovable.no Overreaction to acne by friends and family members may make acne patients self-conscious.
Clues to Low Self-esteemno Teenaged patients with acne who are feeling bad about themselves make remarks such as, "It's gross," "I look awful," or "It's a bummer."no Adults may say, "I'm concerned about my face, ""I don't like the way I look," "I don't like my appearance, ""I don't feel good about myself."no Patients who avoid eye contact or try to hide their faces are probably experiencing lowered self-esteem.no Young girls may try to use heavy makeup to camouflage their acne, which may worsen their skin condition.no Patients of any age may feel bad about themselves when they have acne.
Acne Interferes With Daily Activitiesno Some children may have trouble playing sports because the chinstraps or brims on headgear might make their lesions bleed.no A severe case of acne might cause a patient to stick to his or her pillow when the lesions ooze at night.no Acne may make it more difficult for a teenager to have dates or interact with the opposite sex.
Treating the Disease Treats the Depressionno Unlike other skin diseases, which may not be treatable, acne can usually be improved or resolved with a wide range of medications.no Investigative researchers have pinpointed the main etiologic factors in acne, which can be addressed by different types of therapies.no Dr Drake always encourages her acne patients to remain active, rather than hiding out until their acne clears.no Patients whose acne improves dramatically usually also experience dramatically improved self-esteem.no As their skin improves, self-care improves, eye contact improves, and participation in social activities improves.no Even kids who seemed to be okay about their acne often experience relief and happiness once their skin clears.
When a Psychological Consultation Is Helpfulno Dr Drake recommends consulting with a psychology professional in the rare cases when a depressed patient's acne does not improve with treatment.no There are times when a patient is so depressed about acne that he or she might need to be treated for depression simultaneously with acne therapy.
Reaching Out to the Communityno There are still many teenagers and adults who are not receiving adequate treatment for their acne.no Although over-the-counter medications can sometimes be helpful and effective for very mild cases, a dermatological consultation would be beneficial for most acne patients.no Dermatologists must increase their educational efforts to reach a wider group of potential patients.no The American Academy of Dermatology has a wide variety of pamphlets and bulletins available to the public on the causes and treatment of acne.no Dr Drake hopes more dermatologists will set up educational programs for schools to educate kids about skin diseases.