Psychosocial aspects of acne tarda

Abstract

Acne is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis, which mainly affects teenagers, but it can appear de novo, in adulthood, or persist in the continuation of acne vulgaris. Acne tarda is defined by the persistence of acne vulgaris or the appearance of acne after the age of 25. This skin condition is seen by those around as a real social disability, due to its chronic evolution, but also to the unsightly post-acne scars. The etiology of acne tarda is multifactorial, but it seems to be closely related to hormonal disorders, cosmetic products, psycho-emotional stress, foods with a high fats content or some medications. Hyperandrogenism is an important endogenous factor in acne tarda, which is frequently identified in polycystic ovary syndrome. The multidisciplinary approach, for patients with endocrinological or psychiatric disorders, is extremely important to obtain encouraging therapeutic results. The psycho-social impact of acne tarda is a major, given the fact that, most of the time, acne is seen as strictly an adolescent condition. Although there are currently few studies on integrated dermatological and psychiatric care, this approach is promising for acne patients. Psychotherapy sessions performed concurrently with dermatological treatment or laser treatments for post-acne scars can provide significant improvements in patients' quality of life, but can also lead to better adherence to treatment, thus reducing the recurrence of episodes of depression, anxiety and social isolation.