Can Take The ‘Self’ Out Of Selfie (NAPSA)—According to the Amer- ican Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the US., affecting up to 50 million Ameri- cans annually, and 85 percent of people ages 12 to 24 will experience at least mild acne." It’s also one thing that prompts teens to pause before posting their “selfies” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, a new survey has found.’ Teensand the Age-Old Problem ofAcne ‘The survey of 1,010 teenagers ages 15-19, conducted by Harris Poll, reveals that 71 percent of participants who have had acnefeel it has a negative effect on their body image and attractiveness, while 67 percent say it has a negative effect on their self-esteem.” Acneplays a role in confidence, acceptance and social relationships amongteenagers. Social Media Anxiety ‘The survey, commissioned by Cuta- nea Life Sciences, Inc., a U.S.-based spe- cialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, found that acne affects the way teens engage in social media, from editing photos to avoidingit altogether. While being a teenager is hard enough, social media addsto the anxiety teens face while tryingto fit in and form relationships with their peers. Approximately one in three teens whouse social media and have experienced acnesay it increased their anxiety about their acne and makes dealing with acne in reallife harder.” Social media now plays a huge part in how teens develop friendships and communicate with one another but acne can cause teens to withdraw from this popularcultural trend. Someteensavoid posting photos on social media when they have acne breakouts, a new survey shows. ing to see them withdraw from social media because of acne.” HowFarWill Teens Go To Hide Their Acne? Half of teens who use social media and have had acne say they have done one ofthe following to avoid displayingit: Chose notto include a photo on social media Deleted or untagged a photo Asked someoneelse to take down a photo Altered, edited, retouched or cropped a photototry to hide acne Avoided being in a photo with someone whohadclearerskin Stayed off social media.’ Managing Acne Most teens with acnesaid they were doing everything they could to manage it; however, one in three teens with acne admit to having difficulty doing so. When asked aboutan effectivetreatment, the majority said it was important to use a therapy that worked quickly to clear up acne andthatis affordable, easy dent. “The teens that I interact with as a to use and convenient.’ Fortunately, teens today don’t have to let acne get in the way of engaging with friends through a typical teenage activity. Parents of teens whoare struggling with acne should seek the medical care of a dermatologist, who may prescribe medications to successfully manage the condition. go and very into technology, soit’s alarm- com. “As school counselors, we see every day the profound impact that acne can have on teenagers’ self-image, confidence, acceptance and social relation- ships, at an already challenging time in their lives,” said Anne L.P. Flenner, Ed.S., Professional School Counselor and Flor- ida Counseling Association Past-Presi- school counselor are very active, on the To learn more, visit www.cutanea. 1 Acne: American Academy ofDermatology. Retrieved September 26, 2017from https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions 2 Teen Acne Survey: Harris Poll. Conducted between July 13 and 31, 2017 by https://www.theharrispoll.com
