Acne anxiety can take a serious toll on confidence and mental health. Dr Paul Yow shares how aesthetic treatments can help break the cycle, offering patients a path to clearer skin and self-assurance.
Acne is never a problem whenever we’re lucky enough not to have it, but when we see them growing like rolling hills and active volcanoes over the landscape that is our face, it can be a real bother to deal with.
For some, a dab of moisturiser and a touch of concealer are enough for us to move on with our daily programming – at least until the urge to commit the crime of pimple-popping makes our fingers creep towards our face.
But for others, the experience is riddled with excessive worrying over the way we look, and helplessness at not being able to do anything about it, and this is known as acne anxiety.
The Connection Between Acne and Anxiety
Acne is a rather trivial skin condition, yet the power it holds over our mental wellbeing can be more profound than we realise.
We discuss this further with Dr Paul Yow, Director of Aesthetic Medicine at Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery, who highlights that acne can be more than “just a skin issue”.
“Many people, especially younger individuals, already feel judged based on their appearance. As acne and its sequalae is often very visible, this compounds further feelings of inadequacy and causes depressive and anxious feelings,” he explains.
This emotional response can exacerbate the problem and lead to more breakouts, creating a vicious cycle of stress-induced acne from the acne anxiety.
However, it’s important to remember that having acne doesn’t really harm our physical health – so why do we get so intensely preoccupied with its presence?
How Society Governs Our Face
Unsurprisingly, our negative perception of acne can be associated with how modern society tends to promote beauty ideals that emphasise perfect appearances.
“Today’s marketing and social media can positively influence healthy self-image and provide guidance for healthy skin, but the reverse is also true,” observes Dr Yow.
“Being bombarded with images of flawless skin and daily reminders to ‘fix’ acne can also lead to feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and even isolation as some patients struggle with their self-image and perceived expectations.”
Moreover, any sense of shame we have over our breakouts isn’t completely unfounded. Research shows that those with acne experience greater stigmatisation than those without, with women feeling the brunt of this.
According to Dr Yow, acne is more normalised for men, with its occurrence being attributed to hormones and having oilier skin. However, this is not the perspective taken for women, for whom societal standards of beauty are higher – and rulings against violators are harsher.
“For some, this double standard drives them to apply thick layers of concealer and makeup, with can often aggravate the issue, and places a huge emotional and psychological burden on women,” he laments.
Allowing our fear and insecurity to guide our behaviours can worsen both our skin and mental state, result in social withdrawal, and even impact our quality of life.
Fortunately, there is a plethora of skincare products out there suited to a wide variety of skin types and conditions – and we know they exist because of all those marketing campaigns and influencer shoutouts we’re constantly exposed to.
But the thing about skincare is that it can take a long time to work its magic.
Sometimes, it may not even work at all, and this may be the case when it comes to some of the remnants left behind by acne: stubborn scars.
So for the many who have nowhere else to turn to, this is where cosmetic procedures take centre stage.
The Psychological Role of Aesthetic Procedures
Compared to topical treatments, procedures such as laser therapy and radiofrequency microneedling target acne lesions and reduce inflammation more quickly. Furthermore, they promote collagen production and stimulate the growth of healthy skin cells, minimising the visibility of acne scars, and even any physical pain that can accompany them.
But beyond rejuvenating your skin, these procedures also serve as an effective tool for restoring your self-esteem.
In fact, based on Dr Yow’s experience, individuals commonly seek treatment not just to improve the appearance of their skin, but to also gain back their confidence.
“The main mental distress and anxiety often stems from the fact that the condition seems overwhelming and that patients cannot see an improvement to the conditions.” Dr Yow shares.
“For most patients, that anxiety and distress often decrease quite dramatically when they can see progress in their symptoms, be it the lightening of pigmentation left from previous acne episodes, or even the decreasing amount of active acne present on the skin.”
As our anxiety is closely linked to how noticeable acne is, its discernible disappearance can directly ease our mental turmoil, and empower us to finally feel more comfortable in our own skin.
Conquering Acne Anxiety
Aesthetic procedures offer a glimmer of light in the darkness, providing solutions that can help alleviate the physical symptoms of acne. But beyond the surface, true relief comes from managing our mental state and learning to love ourselves despite our imperfections.
So if you’ve got acne anxiety, the first step to overcoming it involves a little self-compassion and a positive mindset.
“It’s important to remind yourself that acne doesn’t define your worth or beauty,” encourages Dr Yow.
Another piece of advice he has? To consult an aesthetic doctor.
“It’s immensely helpful to speak to a healthcare professional who understands both the medical and emotional sides of acne and can help formulate a plan tailored specifically to guide your skin back to recovery. In my experience, the earlier a treatment plan is put in place, the less debilitating or severe the flare or sequalae of acne,” he adds.
But if you’re feeling hesitant about seeking professional aid, simply discussing your troubles with a friend or an online group can be emotionally destressing, and even informative.
As Dr Yow puts it: “You don’t have to navigate it alone, and there are many options to help you feel better, both inside and out.”
Remember, you’re more than your skin. Acne may be a temporary struggle, but your strength and resilience are enduring.
Read More
- Dealing with Stress Acne? Here’s How to Manage and Prevent It
- Acne Mapping: Understanding Breakouts on Different Facial Areas
- Can Laser Treatments Really Treat Acne Scars and Sagging Skin?
External References
- Aqilah, N. S., & Trihandayani, D. (2024). The Toxicity of Beauty Standards: Body Image Perception Among Women Acne Fighters. Bulletin of Counseling and Psychotherapy 6(1). Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379973687_The_Toxicity_of_Beauty_Standards_Body_Image_Perception_Among_Women_Acne_Fighters
- DiLonardo, M. J. (2014, June 22). How to Manage Emotional Effects of Acne. WebMD. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/emotional-impact-acne
- Mallon, E., Newton, J. N., Klassen, A., Stewart-Brown, S. L., Ryan, T. J., & Finlay, A. Y. (1999). The quality of life in acne: a comparison with general medical conditions using generic questionnaires. The British Journal of Dermatology, 140(4), 672–676. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10233319/
- Nunez, K. (2021, January 20). All About Radiofrequency Microneedling. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/radiofrequency-microneedling
- Sharma, R., Dogra, N., & Arora, M. (2023). Psychosocial impact of acne vulgaris on the quality of life among adolescents versus adults. Clinical Medicine (London, England), 23(Suppl 6), 35. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11046681/
- Szepietowska, M., Stefaniak, A. A., Krajewski, P. K., & Matusiak, L. (2023). Females May Have Less Severe Acne, but They Suffer More: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study on Psychosocial Consequences in 104 Consecutive Polish Acne Patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(1), 4. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10779808/
- Watson, K. (2019, October 17). Everything You Want to Know About Laser Treatment for Acne Scars. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/laser-treatment-for-acne-scars
- Eagle Aesthetics & Surgery website: https://eagleeyeaesthetics.com.sg/
