Campaign draws attention to healthy acne treatment

Nearly 60 percent of Chinese with acne don’t seek medical consultation and many people don’t have a proper awareness of treating or preventing the condition, doctors said before China Acne Week kicks off on Saturday.

Public education and events will be offered on acne prevention and treatment during the weeklong campaign.

The incidence of acne in China is 8.1 percent, while 95 percent of people suffer from acne at some point in life. Up to 7 percent of people are left with pockmarks.

A survey of 16,788 people with acne found that only 41.2 percent go to a doctor, while 58.8 percent ignore the problem, visit beauty parlors or buy medicines by themselves. These measures are improper and may cause lasting damage, doctors said.

“Acne is not only a disease. It can be related to appearance and psychological well-being. Going to a professional dermatologist is important, as doctors can offer treatment as well as guidance on diet and psychology,” said Dr Ju Qiang from Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

He said acne is not just a problem prevalent among teenagers. “About 31 percent of patients are over 25 years old. Acne is not just related with age but other causes like genetics, endocrine disorder, mental problems, drug use, cosmetics and even environmental pollution,” he added. “Long-term mask-wearing during the recent novel coronavirus epidemic can also cause acne for some people. Professional doctors can identify the cause of each patient’s acne and give targeted treatment.”