The individual health burden of acne: Appearance-related distress in male and female adolescents and adults with back, chest and facial acne

This study examined appearancerelated
distress in patients with acne.
One hundred and thirty-two people
attending a specialist acne clinic
completed questionnaires including
the Derriford Appearance Scale and
three self-rated acne scales covering
more (facial) and less visible (chest,
back) acne sites. Women with acne
demonstrated greater selfconsciousness
of appearance and
negative self-concept than men.
Subjective rating of severity of facial
acne was significantly associated with
increased social self-consciousness in
women, but not in men. Back acne
was significantly associated with
sexual and bodily self-consciousness
of appearance in both men and
women. Patients 20 years and above
were significantly more likely to
suffer appearance-related distress than
16–19-year-olds. Although not a key
focus of this study, ethnicity was also
implicated in appearance concern
arising from acne.