Acne awareness week declared in Canada

To coincide with the new school year, Sept. 14-20 has been declared the first Acne Awareness Week in Canada and is featured in Health Canada’s calendar of health promotion days, according to the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada.

“Some [acne] myths, passed on by parents and friends, can have some serious and long term consequences,” says Windsor dermatologist and society spokesperson, Jerry Tan, MD, FRCPC, a dermatologist and spokesman for the society, said in a press release.

“It’s important to get the facts out,” Tan said. “Acne is a common, treatable skin condition affecting 5 million Canadians. Often dismissed as ‘just pimples’, acne can result in emotional distress and permanent scars.”

Among the myths addressed by the society in the press release were that acne will go away on its own, when in reality, three of 10 younger people get moderate acne in which medical help is needed to control the condition and limit acne scarring risk.

The society also addressed that acne is more than just pimples, as the rate of depression among acne patients is 10%, according to the release. One in two teenagers experience acne scarring on the face, the society reported.

The society reported that stress, sweat and diet are not the root cause of acne, with hormone levels, genetics and some prescription medications serving as acne triggers, according to the release.

Reference: www.AcneAction.ca