Misconceptions lead to negative perceptions of acne says research by AAD

Although acne is an extremely common skin problem, several misconceptions about this condition still exist, according to new research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 74th Annual Meeting in Washington DC.

Acne patients are often perceived negatively by others, which may affect patients’ quality of life, the study said. The research into the stigma associated with various skin conditions was carried out by board-certified dermatologist Dr Alexa Boer Kimball, director of the Clinical Unit for Research Trials and Outcomes in Skin (CURTIS) and professor of dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston.

The participants in Dr Kimball’s research viewed photos of several common skin conditions and completed a questionnaire regarding each condition. The majority of subjects (62.5%) indicated that they were upset by the images of acne, and more than 80% said they felt pity toward acne sufferers. More than two-thirds of participants (67.9%) indicated that they would be ashamed if they had acne and that they would find someone with acne unattractive. Moreover, 41.1% of participants said they would be uncomfortable being seen in public with someone with acne, and 44.6% said they would feel uncomfortable touching someone with acne. Many participants expressed belief in common misconceptions about acne, including that the condition is caused by poor hygiene (55.4%), that it is infectious (50.0%) and that it is related to diet (37.5%).