Acne increases social media anxiety for teenagers

A new survey of teenagers aged 15-19 has shone a spotlight on the negative impact acne has on body image and self-esteem, which translates into anxiety over using social media.

The survey, which was commissioned by US-based company Cutanea Life Sciences, found that 71% of participants who’ve had acne feel it has a negative effect on their body image and attractiveness, while 67% say it has a negative effect on their self-esteem.

The poll results further revealed that 72% of teens who use social media and have had acne agree most people their age are self-conscious about their acne on social media, and 68% of teens believe that most of their peers edit or alter their photos on social media if they have acne to hide it. Half of teens who are using social media (51%) said social media makes having acne harder while 45% said they are embarrassed to post photos of themselves on social media because of their acne.

58% had offered to take a photo to get out of being in the picture and 34% avoid video chatting because of their acne.