cause and effect
For most adolescents, acne is part of becoming an adult—but not for all. For many teenagers, acute acne is a condition that is not only physically scarring but also emotionally devastating. The psychosocial impact of acne can be debilitating and at times more traumatic than a terminal disease. While clinical acne is not a terminal disease, adolescent acne patients are afflicted at a time that is critical to their personal development. Thanks to the help of modern medicine, acute acne can be easily treated. Unfortunately, treatment is not available to all.
Nationwide, only 11% of patients with acne vulgaris receive treatment and according to the American Dermatologist Association, of the 85% of teenagers (between the ages of 12 and 24) that suffer from acne, 25% will have permanent scars ranging from severe to light. Studies show that if left untreated acute acne can result in permanent physical and emotional scarring, including suicide ideation.
It is our hope, that through the efforts of the About Face AcneSM organization, underprivileged teenagers suffering from a highly treatable condition will no longer feel the shame of showing their face publicly due to their lack of treatment. Unfortunately, the insurance companies do not often cover acute acne treatments as they categorize most acne treatments as cosmetic in nature and therefore outside of the scope of medical coverage. About Face AcneSM seeks to increase the awareness of acute acne as a respected and chronic health condition that needs to be covered by insurance benefits.