Psychodermatology of acne: Dermatologist's guide to inner side of acne and management approach

Abstract

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a skin disease that is commonly seen and causes scar formation especially when left untreated. It can cause serious psychological comorbidities due to the intense involvement of appeared areas such as face and also being common in adolescence in which the body perception is not yet well established. Although psychiatric comorbidities frequently accompany AV patients in dermatology, they almost never directed to dermatology-psychiatry liaison clinics. Depression, anxiety, stress, decreased self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and even suicide attempts are too frequent to ignore in these patients, and many studies have been conducted on the positive or controversial effects of acne treatments. For this reason, serious responsibilities fall to dermatologists. They should not treat AV lesions only, but also to determine the AV patients' psychological conditions and to direct them to get help when necessary.