Out of the 40-50 million Americans dealing with acne, up to 20 million may suffer from acne scars. As if dealing with acne wasn’t bad enough, once the skin is clear, scars can linger. These scars can cause major distress. According to an independent study, 71 percent of surveyed patients with acne scars feel that their scars negatively affect their self-confidence. “Acne scars are without a doubt a skin condition that can have lasting physical, emotional and psychological effect on individuals—from lack of confidence to even depression,” says Nick Teti, chairman and CEO of Suneva Medical.
To help build positive self esteem, Suneva Medical and the National Association for Self-Esteem offer these tops for those dealing with the emotional impact of acne scarring:
- Acknowledge your potential and value who you are. In order to inspire self-confidence and create a healthier self-image, you need to first respect and value yourself and acknowledge your full potential and capability. Taking appropriate action to respect yourself, while understanding your worth, leads to happiness and an overall better attitude. Because the mind is a powerful tool and our thoughts undeniably affect our words and actions, fighting the emotional scars of acne can be difficult, but can start by simply changing the way you think about it.
- Seek treatment and know your options. The burden of acne scars is significant and can sometimes seem impossible to overcome, but know that you have options. Consult with a dermatologist and get educated on available treatments, while also seeking an overall healthier lifestyle. Living a healthy life, combined with the right treatments, are steps in the right direction for achieving the face of confidence you’ve always wanted.
- Consider therapy. Psychotherapy can make a critical impact in helping a patient cope with, and feel positive about, a difficult situation. Alleviating psychological distress through talking with a qualified physician may assist with how you view the negative aspects of your acne scars.
- Find a support group and seek positivity. Whether you’re a late-teen or adult, with up to 20 million Americans estimated to have acne scars, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Whether it’s through an online forum or support group at a local clinic, there are a variety of resources out there for individuals struggling with the emotional scars of acne. Sharing toxic emotions with others releases them from the physical body, helping to create a renewed sense of peace and hope.
The good news is you can stop acne scars before they start. For scars that are already present, talk to your board-certified dermatologist about laser and acne treatments that can help treat the scarring.
Join the conversation. Have you suffered from adult acne?
