Acne: Introduction to Management  |  Treatment of Acne in Africans  | Acne: Treatment Challenges

How Acne Can Affect You as An African

By Chinedu Akpa. B. Pharm. Freelance Health Writer and DLHA Volunteer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA Team

Acne complications have far-reaching effects on your physical and emotional health. Here are how acne may affect you.

• Physical impact 

Hyperpigmentation: Acne is one of the leading causes of hyperpigmentation. One of the physical characteristics of high pigmentation is that a portion of your body is darker than the rest as a result of your body's reaction to the consequences of acne inflammation.This high concentration of pigments produced by melanin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and change its texture. [3]

Scarring: Just like injuries, when acne lesions heal or are treated they leave marks on your skin in the form of scars that can last for a very long time. Scars are typically unsightly, and you may seek ways to remove them as soon as they appear. Some people believe that if the scars of acne are not properly addressed, they will have a negative impact on their personality, particularly if they are public figures. Imagine going to a beauty pageant with your face covered in acne scars; you would be very concerned. 

Keloid formation: These are thickened raised tissue areas which may occur in your shoulder, chest wall, back, and the midline of your abdomen. They can be formed from acne lesions too and can cause significant pain and discomfort following acne. Additionally, keloids can cause more pain and also restrict movement when they affect the joint areas of your body. This is in addition to the sense of loss of beauty that you may feel in yourself.

• Psychological and mental health impacts

Adults:

Aside from the feelings of damage to the attractiveness of your face that acne causes, the scars that remain after the acne is gone typically add another layer of psychological trauma to your feelings.

Acne can cause psychological issues in adults such as;

• Self-consciousness

• Low self-esteem

• Dissatisfaction with body image

• Fear of being judged

• Depression, and

• Social dysfunction such as avoidance of interaction with people.

Additionally, suicidal thoughts have also been recorded as one of the complications of acne. [4]

Children:

Since acne breakouts can start at an early age as 7 years, they can inhibit young children's ability to bond and interact properly with their peers. If not properly addressed, this issue may worsen as the child grows older.  

Acne can also be cause for peer bullying in school. This can have a negative impact on the bullied child's social life and be a source for ideas about taking their life so as to be rid of the bullying.  

Resources

Published: August 20, 2024

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