It is regarded by many within the medical profession as trivial and uninteresting. For many, acne is just the odd troublesome spot, appearing at that time of the month or before that important event. The psychological impact of acne in teenagers is underestimated However, for a lot of people, acne is a devastating skin complaint, which can have severe physical and psychological consequences. It can be unsightly, sore and persistent. It is also interesting to note that only 0.4 per cent of patients felt that the pharmacist was sufficiently knowledgeable about acne and preferred to self- treat.
Acne treatment is long term with a low compliance rate among sufferers.
Many patients who fail to respond to treatment generally fail to comply. It is, therefore, vital that every pharmacist becomes more informed and provides better advice and education to patients about their treatment. Early successful treatment reduces the risk of permanent scarring. The psychological impact of acne is often greatly underestimated. For most patients the poor appearance of their skin and the subsequent lack of self esteem can have direct implications on personal relationships and professional success.