"The effect of acne is more than skin deep."

The first step to addressing any problem is acknowledging it. At Envio, we have learned through personal and professional experience that acne can have an enormous effect on mood, and even identity. Leaving chronic acne can cause not only lasting physical effects, but also psychological. We believe that taking care of your mental health should work in tandem with taking care of your skin, not separately. In this article, we will share research around the study of psychodermatology, the relationship between the mind and skin. 

Acne is the most common inflammatory condition of the skin, and heightened levels of hormones and stress in our adolescent years can increase prevalence. As a result of acne, [teens] end up feeling very stigmatized,” Mohammad Jafferany, MD, a clinical professor of psychodermatology and psychiatry stated. “Their self-esteem is very, very low and very poor, and psychological conditions often develop around the same time [as acne appears].”

According to Dr. Jafferany, acne treatment should be holistic and multidisciplinary, with diet, hormonal consideration, and psychological impact all considered in the overall clinical plan. 

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) clinical guidelines for acne treatment only briefly mention the mental impact of acne on teenagers, or the risk of increased depression or suicidal ideation with certain treatment regimens. However, several empirical studies (included below) have shown a clear need for a prioritization of treating this aspect of the condition.

Envio's strives to be the first company of its kind to not just acknowledge this problem, but provide a solution to it. It is common for teenagers to turn to friends or social media for help in managing acne, and then get frustrated when certain treatments fail to produce results. This can lead to even more stress and increased likelihood of poor mental health outcomes.

References

1. Natsuaki MN, Yates TM. Adoelscent acne and disparities in mental health. Child Development Perspectives. 2021;15(1):37-43. doi: 10.1111/cdep.12397.
2. Layton AM, Thiboutat D, Tan J. Reviewing the global burden of acne: how could we improve care to reduce the burden? BJD. 2021;184(2):219-225. doi: 10.1111/bjd.19477.
3. Stamu-O’Brien C, Jafferany M, Carniciu S, Abdelmaksoud A. Psychodermatology of acne: psychological aspects and effects of acne vulgaris. JCD. 2021;20(4):1080-1083. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13765.
4. Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al. Guidelines for the care and management of acne vulgaris. JAAD. 2016;74(5):945-973. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037.
5. Gieler U, Gieler T. Suicidal risk with isotretinoin treatment—A never-ending story. JEADV. 2020;34(6):1131-1133. doi:10.1111/jdv.16005.
6. Teens and acne treatment. HealthChildren.org Updated November 27, 2013. Accessed July 1, 2022.
   https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Teens-and-Acne.aspx