A large-scale study using data from 1986 to 2012 found that individuals with acne have a 63% higher risk of developing depression. Dr. Isabelle Vallerand, one of the leading researchers behind the study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, stated that this study highlights an important connection between skin conditions and mental illness, with the risk of depression being highest shortly after an acne diagnosis. Skin health clearly has a significant impact on overall mental health. Vallerand further emphasized, “For patients with acne, it’s more than just a blemish – acne can lead to substantial mental health issues and should be taken seriously.”
I.A. Vallerand, R.T. Lewinson, L.M. Parsons, M.W. Lowerison, A.D. Frolkis, G.G. Kaplan, C. Barnabe, A.G.M. Bulloch, S.B. Patten. Risk of depression among patients with acne in the U.K.: a population-based cohort study. British Journal of Dermatology, 2018.