It’s well known that acne, whilst being perceived as an outer problem, can affect sufferers deeply on the inside too.
Acne is basically an inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. No one really knows what causes it but the vast majority of us will have the pleasure of experiencing it at some point in our lives.
There are many cures and regimes that can lessen the effects and in some cases clear it completely. But what about those people who can’t find the correct regime for their skin or who just feel acne is something they will grow out of in time.
The psychological effects can be huge. The acne may only be slight but it is not uncommon for the sufferer to enlarge the problem in their minds.
What is in fact a mere pimple, visible only to onlookers if they are up close, can, in the sufferer’s mind, be a huge spot impossible to miss by other people.
This “illusion?is just the beginning for the teenage or adult sufferer. Once that way of thinking is instilled, it becomes a habit and from then on any acne breakout becomes a disaster. Paranoia grows with the feeling that everyone is looking and pointing at your spots.
This can transform into a bigger psychological problem as self-esteem plummets and confidence in oneself is lost. All this because of one or two little red spots.
It’s vitally important not to let your mind take over. It is a human trait to think the worst and the more we think about something the more ingrained into our psyche it becomes. Problems and worries expand the more we dwell on them.
Of course one way to deal with the problem is to tackle the acne itself through any number of cures and treatments. But it is possible that even when the physical problem disappears a mental residue is left behind leading to a lack of self confidence in later life.
Take the chance now to realise that you and only you can control what goes on in your head. Realise that it is only your outer shell that you are worrying over and no one can affect the real you inside.
Acne is a skin condition and, let’s be honest, to spend a lot of time worrying and dwelling over your skin is at best shallow and at worst incredibly vain. If you can’t treat it, hold your head up high and realise that people aren’t laughing at you behind your back and even if they are they’re merely projecting their own insecurities onto you.
Acne is a condition of the outer you, don’t let it affect your self-esteem and confidence ?you have a good deal more important things to be getting on with.
Rosa Dawson is owner and writer of http://www.preventingacne.info - an in-depth guide to defeating acne once and for all.