The number of people experiencing acne is increasing worldwide, according to the latest study
A new study has found that the number of children and young people who are experiencing acne is increasing globally and that rates in the UK are among the highest worldwide.
The report, which was released by The British Association of Dermatologists (BDA) found that the incidence of acne among young adults and teenagers has risen in nearly all countries since the 1990s, with Germany's teens having the highest rates of acne in the world.
The UK came in 8th place behind Germany, Portugal, Luxembourg, Norway, Andorra, Denmark and San Marino. after the study looked at data on diagnosis rates across 204 countries. About 14 percent of adolescents and young people were diagnosed with acne in the UK, according to the research that appeared in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Globally, the age-standardised prevalence rate of acne among people aged 10 to 24 increased from 8,563.4 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 9,790.5 per 100,000 population in 2021. The only country that didn't see an increase was New Zealand.
Dr. Anjali Mahto, a consultant dermatologist at Self London, notes that acne is responsible for approximately 3.5 million GP appointments annually in the UK, with acne affecting around 95 percent of people living in the UK at some point in their lives.
The rise of acne could be linked to several reasons such as lifestyle factors including diet, stress and obesity, wider exposure to air pollution. It also stands to reason that more people could coming forward to seek help in treating the disease.
Dr Zhou Zhu, the lead author of the research from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said in The Guardian: 'Acne rates among adolescents and young adults have gradually increased in nearly all countries since the 1990s.'
'Our research didn’t look at why this is, but it could be linked to lifestyle factors like diet, stress, obesity rates, increased exposure to pollution from urbanisation, or simply a greater likelihood of seeking treatment.'
'It is plausible that, as healthcare becomes more accessible in countries, reported acne rates increase. This is unlikely to be the only factor though, as even in countries with good access to healthcare, cases have increased.'
'We only looked at healthcare data, which would not include the many people who have acne but are managing the conditions themselves, so overall acne rates are actually higher.'
Dr Hasan Benar, consultant dermatologist at Dr Elif Clinic, explained to WH,' I'm not entirely surprised by the findings, as acne is a widespread condition, particularly among adolescents. The rise in cases linked to lifestyle and environmental factors is concerning but expected.'
'However, the increased attention to acne as a serious disease could indeed lead to better outcomes for patients. With more focus on its prevalence, particularly in the UK, acne may be taken more seriously, potentially resulting in increased funding for research, improved treatments, and a broader acknowledgment of its mental health impacts. This could enhance both medical care and emotional support for patients.'
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