American research reinforces the importance of increasing awareness on the topic and accessing timely treatment to avoid scars and stigma
EINSTEIN AGENCY – Who has it acne suffers doubly: in addition to having to deal with the discomfort of pimples and blackheads, which these people face prejudicial attitudes which can affect your personal life and even professional opportunities. This is the conclusion of a new study published in Jama Dermatology, conducted by American researchers from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in collaboration with several universities, including Yale and Harvard.
It is known that acne, especially in more severe cases, can affect psychological well-being and self-esteem. However, there is still little data on the stigma faced by these people. To better understand the attitudes of the general public, the study authors selected images of four people, both men and women, with different skin tones, which were digitally altered to simulate versions with moderate and severe acne.
They then conducted a survey of 1,357 adults, recruited on a platform that brings together volunteers to participate in research, ResearchMatch. Each person had to look at a certain portrait and answer, among other things, questions about impressions and the desire for social contact.
Overall, the results showed attitudes such as less desire to be friends, to date or to take a job when faced with photographs of those who had severe acne compared to those who did not have the disease. The study also found evidence that the association was greater for subjects with severe acne and dark skin.
For the authors, the findings reinforce the prejudice that exists in different scenarios and the need for measures to reduce these attitudes increase access to care from those who have acne.
“Scientific knowledge, more inclusive attitudes in social and working environments and quality information Acne is a disease and has a treatment it will help us reduce these inequalities”, says dermatologist Selma Hélène, of the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital.
Acne is a disease
“Knowledge of the impact of the disease on a person’s life meant that it was recognized as an illness and not as something normal at a certain stage of life,” adds the doctor.
While acne is still largely seen as a cosmetic problem, it’s important to remember that it is a problem inflammatory disease, which can and must be treated. And it’s worth pointing out: It’s not contagious and isn’t linked to dirty skin.
It occurs when there is a buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria that clog the hair follicles on the surface of the skin, causing inflammation. Depending on the degree, it leads to the formation of the famous blackheads (comedones), pustules (lesions containing pus), as well as other lesions, such as nodules. They usually appear on the face, but can also appear on the back and shoulders.
The illness it is more common in adolescence, as the hormonal changes of puberty stimulate the sebaceous glands, generating insecurity, low self-esteem and social isolation. But it can also appear in childhood and adulthood.
For each age group there is a specific cause. Factors such as the genetic profile, skin type, composition of the bacteria that populate the skin, among others, also underlie the disease and determine its severity.
Treatment should be done as soon as possible and, depending on the degree of acne, may help avoid scars. “Early treatment, with accurate diagnosis and daily guidance are very important,” says the specialist.
In mild cases, this includes washing with specific soaps and applying topical products. More severe cases may require oral medications, always recommended by a dermatologist. It is essential to never compress or manipulate the lesions. There are currently several techniques to treat scars, such as laser and peeling, among others.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
