Acne can be the bane of adolescence. But for some, it continues well into adulthood, permeating other areas of life. For the first time last month, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended mental health support for those who have been affected by acne vulgaris, stating that the scarring it leaves can have a strong psychological effect, potentially causing anxiety or depression. Dr Tanya Bleiker, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, said in a statement, “Acne has a particular effect on appearance, so in addition to depression and anxiety, it can be damaging to self-image, leading to isolation and sometimes to severe mental health disorders. The severity of the acne is not always linked to the severity of the mental health impact, so it is important that there is a better understanding that even mild acne can have severe effects on emotional wellbeing.”

Dr Rashmi Shinde, Consultant dermatologist, says seven per cent of her patients suffer from depression due to acne