Self Esteem and Acne: How to Stay Confident

One study found that females were more affected than males in terms of general and social self-consciousness, and felt more negatively about themselves. In severe cases, problems with self-esteem can lead to depression, social phobia and suicidal urges.

While even mild acne can have a significant impact, more severe effects on lowering self-esteem are associated with more severe forms of acne. Rumsey concluded that the more a person has taken on board from social media and advertisers about how they “should” look, then the greater they will perceive the gap to be between these ideals and themselves, and the more upset they will be about their appearance.

So what can be done with regard to this link between acne and low self-esteem?

• Other blogs have covered the role of stress in worsening acne, and stress often goes hand in hand with self-esteem. So, steps to reduce stress (using techniques such as relaxation, yoga or mindfulness) should have a good effect also on self-esteem.

• Try not to hide away. Self-doubts can be magnified if you reduce your social activities- causing you to lose contact with friends and become more lonely, further lowering self-esteem. So, try to stay “out there, " with peers, friends and family.

• Remember you are not alone. More than half of adolescents will experience acne, which will be relatively severe in about 20% of people. Try to remind yourself that acne is basically “normal”.

• Question any negative beliefs and assumptions, and look at other options. People may not be looking at you negatively at all, they may have problems of their own. If someone seems judgemental because you have spots, do you want that sort of person as a friend?

• Remember that beauty is more than skin deep. You may like to focus on one or more of these quotes:

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself” – Coco Chanel

“Confidence breeds beauty” – Estee Lauder

• Most importantly get good treatment! The majority of people with acne, even when it may have devastated their self-esteem, do not seek professional help. Not only will good treatment help with your physical appearance, but taking this action step in itself will bolster morale and self-esteem.