Changes

People suffering from a bad case of acne, especially adolescents, can develop low [[self-esteem]] which can lead to [[Clinical depression|depression]].

People suffering from a bad case of acne, especially adolescents, can develop low [[self-esteem]] which can lead to [[Clinical depression|depression]].

== Social effects ==

== Social effects ==

Low self-esteem issues can make a person suffering from acne withdraw from many social events. It makes developing new personal relationships (especially love relationships) more difficult. Low self-esteem can also cause problems with career advancement as the person may find it difficult to present a positive attitude. This may sometimes even lead to suicidal thoughts.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|title=Bad acne linked to suicidal thinking in teens|publisher=CNN|author1=Lynne Peeples|url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/16/health.acne.suicidal.thinking/index.html|accessdate=9 July 2020|date=16 September 2010}}</ref> Some of the treatments for acne have also shown a link with more suicide attempts.<ref name"PToday">{{cite news|publisher=Psychology Today|title=Acne and Suicide|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201107/acne-and-suicide|date=31 July 2011|accessdate=9 July 2020|author1=Emily Deans}}</ref>

Low self-esteem issues can make a person suffering from acne withdraw from many social events. It makes developing new personal relationships (especially love relationships) more difficult. Low self-esteem can also cause problems with career advancement as the person may find it difficult to present a positive attitude. This may sometimes even lead to suicidal thoughts.<ref name="CNN">{{cite news|title=Bad acne linked to suicidal thinking in teens|publisher=CNN|author1=Lynne Peeples|url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/16/health.acne.suicidal.thinking/index.html|accessdate=9 July 2020|date=16 September 2010}}</ref> Some of the treatments for acne have also shown a link with more [[suicide]] attempts.<ref name"PToday">{{cite news|publisher=Psychology Today|title=Acne and Suicide|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201107/acne-and-suicide|date=31 July 2011|accessdate=9 July 2020|author1=Emily Deans}}</ref>

== Causes of acne ==

== Causes of acne ==

Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not completely known. These can cause acne, or make it worse:

Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not completely known. These can cause acne, or make it worse:

Popping a pimple should not be done by anyone but a qualified [[dermatologist]]. Pimple popping irritates skin, can make the bacteria spread, and can cause scars. If you must pop a pimple yourself, it is advised to apply warm water to the area before popping it and to wash your hand thoroughly before beginning so as to avoid spreading bacteria via the hands. Applying hot water will open up the pores and reduce the damage because it will require less force to pop it.

Popping a pimple should not be done by anyone but a qualified [[dermatologist]]. Pimple popping irritates skin, can make the bacteria spread, and can cause scars. If you must pop a pimple yourself, it is advised to apply warm water to the area before popping it and to wash your hand thoroughly before beginning so as to avoid spreading bacteria via the hands. Applying hot water will open up the pores and reduce the damage because it will require less force to pop it.

== Epidemiology ==

== Epidemiology ==

There are 650 million people in the world with acne, which is around 9.4% of the global population.<ref name="LancetEpi2012">{{cite journal|last=Vos|first=T|date=15 December 2012|title=Years lived with disability (YLDs) for 1160 sequelae of 289 diseases and injuries 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010.|journal=Lancet|volume=380|issue=9859|pages=2163–96|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61729-2|pmid=23245607|pmc=6350784}}</ref> More females are getting acne than males (9.8% versus 9.0%).<ref name=LancetEpi2012/> Acne affects 40 to 50 million people in the United States (16%) and approximately 3 to 5 million in Australia (23%).<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gary M White|title=Recent findings in the epidemiologic evidence, classification, and subtypes of acne vulgaris |journal=J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. |volume=39 |issue=2 Pt 3 |pages=S34–7 |date=August 1998  |pmid=9703121 |doi= 10.1016/S0190-9622(98)70442-6}}</ref>  Acne affects people of all ethnic groups.<ref name=Color2010>{{cite journal|author1=Sejal K. Shah|author2=Andrew F. Alexis|title=Acne in skin of color: practical approaches to treatment|journal=J Dermatolog Treat |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=206–11 |date=4 February 2010|pmid=20132053 |doi=10.3109/09546630903401496|s2cid=27893826}}</ref>

There are 650 million people in the world with acne, which is around 9.4% of the global population.<ref name="LancetEpi2012">{{cite journal|last=Vos|first=T|date=15 December 2012|title=Years lived with disability (YLDs) for 1160 sequelae of 289 diseases and injuries 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010.|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_the-lancet_december-15-2012-january-4-2013_380_9859/page/2163|journal=Lancet|volume=380|issue=9859|pages=2163–96|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61729-2|pmid=23245607|pmc=6350784}}</ref> More females are getting acne than males (9.8% versus 9.0%).<ref name=LancetEpi2012/> Acne affects 40 to 50 million people in the United States (16%) and approximately 3 to 5 million in Australia (23%).<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gary M White|title=Recent findings in the epidemiologic evidence, classification, and subtypes of acne vulgaris |journal=J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. |volume=39 |issue=2 Pt 3 |pages=S34–7 |date=August 1998  |pmid=9703121 |doi= 10.1016/S0190-9622(98)70442-6}}</ref>  Acne affects people of all ethnic groups.<ref name=Color2010>{{cite journal|author1=Sejal K. Shah|author2=Andrew F. Alexis|title=Acne in skin of color: practical approaches to treatment|journal=J Dermatolog Treat |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=206–11 |date=4 February 2010|pmid=20132053 |doi=10.3109/09546630903401496|s2cid=27893826}}</ref>

== Acne scars ==

== Acne scars ==

Bad acne often leads to bad [[scar]]s where the skin has the shape of a volcano. It is difficult and expensive to treat  acne scars.

Bad acne often leads to bad [[scar]]s where the skin has the shape of a volcano. It is difficult and expensive to treat  acne scars.

* Dermabrasion. The top layer of the skin is taken away to make the scar look less deep. It makes the scar less visible, but does not remove it completely. Many treatments may be needed.

* Dermabrasion. The top layer of the skin is taken away to make the scar look less deep. It makes the scar less visible, but does not remove it completely. Many treatments may be needed.

* Laser resurfacing. A [[laser]] is used to burn off the top layer of the skin.

* Laser resurfacing. A [[laser]] is used to burn off the top layer of the skin.

* Deep penetrating light therapy. A non-laser, non-ultraviolet light therapy that can be used to improve mild to moderate acne. A blue light causes the breakdown of certain chemicals within the acne bacteria, destroying the cell walls.

* Deep penetrating [[light therapy]]. A non-laser, non-ultraviolet light therapy that can be used to improve mild to moderate acne. A blue light causes the breakdown of certain chemicals within the acne bacteria, destroying the cell walls.

* Punch excision. The scar is raised with a punch tool and the edges are smoothed together.

* Punch excision. The scar is raised with a punch tool and the edges are smoothed together.

* Chemical peels. Different types of [[acid]] are put on the skin so that a smoother layer can form.

* Chemical peels. Different types of [[acid]] are put on the skin so that a smoother layer can form.