Is Skin a Mental Wellness Issue?

A recent article in Skin Inc. discussed a 2022 study conducted to answer the question is skin a mental health issue. The study featured 775 participants with 64.6% identifying as having skin of colour , the majority being women and the largest age group being 18-24 years.

Of those who responded suffering from acne, more than 70% had received negative comments about their condition/appearance. 40% had acne for greater than 10years and 74% suffered from post inflammation hyperpigmentation.

Of those suffering dark spots, nearly 50% had received negative comments from "someone close to them". Those with atopic dermatitis/eczema reported missing social activities due to their condition.

Overall, 85.2% of participants rated their skin conditions as moderately to extremely bothersome, with 57.4% stating that their skin condition(s) affected their mental health. Participants stated they felt depressed and have in the past edited photos of themselves.

The overall results of the study should encourage more effective long term solutions to skin conditions and impresses the need for greater connection of skin conditions to mental health, especially for those with skin of colour.