FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — June is Acne Awareness Month, shining a light on a common skin condition that experts say can have significant emotional and mental health impacts, particularly among teens and young adults.
Studies show acne can have a large impact on mental health, including correlations with anxiety and depression.
Dermatologists say acne is widespread, especially in younger populations.
“Between the ages of 12 and 25, about 85% of people will experience some acne,” said Dr. Greg Simpson, a dermatologist with Inspire Health Medical Group and division director for UCSF Fresno dermatology.
Nationwide, the condition affects millions.
“Right now, there are about 15 million people in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Dermatology, who have acne. That’s a lot of people. It’s about a sixth of the US population,” said David Futoran, CEO and cofounder of Honeydew dermatology care.
Futoran said some studies suggest adult acne, particularly among women, is becoming more common.
“The general rule of thumb now is one out of two in their twenties, one out of three in their thirties, and one out of four females in their forties experience adult female acne, which is super frustrating because you’ve already gone through the teenage years and now there’s like a second wind that people are dealing with,” he said.
Experts emphasize the importance of early treatment to help prevent long-term effects such as scarring.
“I always think it’s good to get on some sort of regimen as early as acne appears, which can be sometimes eight or nine years old,” Dr. Simpson said.
Because skin types vary from oily to dry, treatments can differ. Dr. Simpson recommends starting with over-the-counter options.
“Proactive is the name a lot of people are aware of, but benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are both over-the-counter products that I think are very easy to start with,” he said.
If those treatments do not improve symptoms within a month or two, patients should consider seeking medical care.
Dermatologists can prescribe a range of options, including topical and oral medications.
“A lot of times, once we get to deeper bumps, cysts, stuff that scars. Sometimes if people are willing, we may need to go to pill medication,” Dr. Simpson said. “And for women, there’s basically three types of pills: antibiotics stuff, hormones stuff, and then it’s just internal isotretinoin or Accutane that some people have heard of. That’s the most intense medicine. For men, really, it’s antibiotics and Accutane.”
Dr. Simpson also recommends managing potential side effects like dryness by using sunscreen and moisturizer, and encourages patients to work with a physician to determine the best course of treatment.
Experts say early intervention and individualized care can help manage acne effectively and reduce its physical and emotional toll.
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