According to a new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, the number of young people being diagnosed with acne is rising worldwide, with rates in the UK among the highest globally.
The report found that, globally, the age-standardised prevalence of acne among people aged ten to 24 increased from 8,563.4 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 9,790.5 per 100,000 in 2021. Of the 204 countries analysed, the UK ranked eighth, behind Germany, Portugal, Luxembourg, Norway, Andorra, Denmark, and San Marino.
Dr Zhou Zhu, the lead author of the research from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, explained to The Guardian: “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.”
Although several misleading headlines have suggested that the study concluded acne is increasing among young people, this is not entirely accurate. The study found that the number of acne cases seen by doctors is on the rise. “While…
