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Acne can affect your life in real ways

2022-06-17  Frieda Mukufa

Acne can affect your life in real ways

I’ve had people ask me to write on acne and its awareness. I have never battled with acne. However, it does not mean I don’t have an idea of the difficulties and emotional damage it does, because I have friends who did. Although acne is regarded as a cosmetic issue, it can affect your life in real ways. Acne can impact your self-esteem, your confidence, your social life, and the way you interact with others. It’s more than just a skin condition; acne can affect the way you feel about yourself as a whole. Acknowledging those feelings is the first step, and taking time to manage your emotional wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with treating acne.

Because acne doesn’t just affect your skin, but also the way you feel about yourself, it is important to remember to be gentle with yourself and your skin. As such, as a friend and or relative, it is important to remember to not make comments about someone’s acne problem. They know about it and have acknowledged it. Some people with severe acne aren’t all that bothered by it; others are intensely embarrassed and depressed by fairly mild acne. So, be kind towards someone battling acne. 

Watch what you eat. While it is important to note that a diet will not fix your acne, it may play a role in how severe your acne is. Some studies have found a possible link between acne severity and dairy products which seem to trigger breakouts for people with acne issues. You also need to take time out to exercise and/or play sport. Even though this may not clear up your acne, it can improve your mental health. It can boost your mood, help you feel stronger and more confident, and reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.

If you are on a journey of treating your acne or getting dermatological help, it is important to take a hands-off approach. That means no picking, popping, squeezing, or otherwise bothering your pimples. Squeezing a pimple, especially ones that are deep and inflamed, can damage the skin. It may make the existing blemishes worse and can lead to scarring. If you’ve already picked at a pimple, treat it as you would any small wound. If you have a compulsive need to pick at your skin, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to manage it. 

Acne treatments will dry your skin. Although you may be reluctant to use a moisturizer, they are an incredibly important part of your acne treatment routine. Many people give up on their acne treatments because their skin becomes uncomfortably dry and irritated. Using a moisturizer regularly will guard against excessive dryness, peeling, and flaking, and allow you to use your acne medications as directed.

 

• Lifestyle section concentrates on women-related issues and parenting every Friday in the New Era newspaper. She also specialises in editing research proposals, proofreading as well as content creation.

- etuholefrieda@gmail.com


2022-06-17  Frieda Mukufa

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