Navigating the breakout years - Psychological impact of acne on teenagers

By Margie Schlebusch: Registered Psychological Counsellor at Margie Schlebusch Counselling / Certified TRE Provider

Find Margie on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/margie-schlebusch-6255a151/

I’ve spent many years studying the human psyche, but my real credentials; I’m a

mother to teenagers. That means my mornings are a delicate dance of dodging discarded socks and navigating the "vibe" of the kitchen before the first cup of coffee. I’ve spent many moments trying to convince my teens that the blemish on their chins isn’t visible from space. But then, I also remember being fifteen and feeling like my skin is the worst battle I’ll ever have to face.

The mental and emotional toll (psychological impact) of acne on teenagers is well-documented.

Teens with acne often report feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and diminished self-worth. While we adults see acne as a temporary skin condition, an adolescent often sees a permanent flaw in their identity. Acne doesn’t just sit on the skin; it gets under it.

Adolescence is a period of profound physical, emotional and mental change and

intense identity development. During this period teens experience a cognitive phenomenon called the imaginary audience effect. Teenagers believe that everyone is watching and judging their every move and flaw.

When a teenager looks in the mirror and sees acne, they don't just see a skin condition; they see a barrier to social acceptance. Self-esteem isn't built in a vacuum; it’s reinforced by social interaction.

Acne often triggers safety behaviors that can hinder social development, such as:

• Social Withdrawal: Cancelling plans because of a breakout and consequently becoming disconnected from friends and ultimately feeling left out.

• Hyper-fixation: Spending hours in front of a magnifying mirror or obsessively researching cures. The stress created by this triggers cortisol release, which can increase oil production, leading to more acne - which, in turn, creates more stress. It’s basically a loop of doom.

• The social comparison trap: In the era of high-definition filters, "normal" skin has been redefined as pore less and perfect. This creates an unattainable standard that makes natural breakouts feel like a personal failure.

Apart from dealing with their own insecurities related to acne, teenagers are often also subjected to bullying and shaming by peers. This is an unfortunate reality we cannot get away from. The impact of acne on self-esteem doesn't have to be permanent. We can help teenagers move through these years with their confidence intact. When our kids are hurting, we instinctively want to minimize the problem by saying things like: "It's not that bad!" or "You'll grow out of it!"

While well-intentioned, this just makes them feel unheard and alone. Instead, validate first by saying something like: "I can see you're really frustrated with your skin. That's a tough feeling."

The next important step is to work together towards finding solutions. Say something like: “Maybe we can figure out a plan to tackle this”

Giving a teen a concrete plan to manage their skin can restore the sense of control they feel they’ve lost. Start with a good skin hygiene routine, a healthy diet and learning how to better manage stress. At the end of the day, skin clears up, but the resilience built by navigating the "awkward years" stays for life.