I think everybody can remember their first encounter with acne. Like many, mine happened during my teenage years. Breakouts always seemed to occur at the most inconvenient times, like when I had to give a presentation in front of the class or worse, during school picture days and events. I used to be mortified waking up with a new red blemish, aggressively staking its claim (on my skin). The distinct margins it left behind pointed out to others the exact spot where it had appeared.

Growing up surrounded by images of flawless skin and constantly being given unsolicited advice on miraculous remedies, really took a toll on my self-image. The more I looked into the mirror, the more I would hyper-fixate over new breakouts, which stressed me out, and this turned into a vicious cycle.

Looking back on it now, dealing with acne felt like navigating through the five stages of grief. Denial sets in first and you don’t want to look at your reflection, denying its existence. This is followed by anger, directed towards the higher unknown, with the age-old question, “Why me?” You also start projecting anger towards others.

Then, you move on to bargaining, convincing yourself that a trendy product will cure your acne. When that fails, you get depressed and withdraw from social events, frown at your reflection and coop up inside your house, unwilling to face others. You hide your face behind masks and cosmetics, and this affects your daily life. Finally, you move on towards the most difficult part, which is acceptance.

This story is relatable to many of us—especially now, in the age of social media, where perfection is the norm. We are pressured to ‘fit in’ by the standards of airbrushed pictures and flawless bodies.

Acne is a common skin condition which affects 80 percent of adolescents globally. However, 20 percent of acne sufferers are affected moderately to severely. Adult acne, which is an entirely different clinical entity that typically emerges after the age of 25, is on the rise and according to a study, is estimated to affect 40 percent of the population. While commonly believed only to affect the face, Acne also occurs in other body parts—mostly the neck, chest and back. Severe forms of acne lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation. which can be another insecurity on its own that also contributes to body dysmorphia.

During the pandemic, many countries were under lockdown due to which people shifted to working from home. This has led to heightened self-consciousness among many about their appearance—especially on camera.

A 2021 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery discussed the impact of video calls on appearance dissatisfaction, coining it the “zoom effect”. This phenomenon had a profound effect on daily lives, so much so that there was a boom in a surge of interest in changing appearance in the wider population. Skincare, which was easily accessible to all positioned as a form of self-care and investment & gained prominence during this period.

Scrolling through your feed and seeing individuals with perfect skin does make one want to fit into societal ideals. The parasocial relationship and trust we have with our favourite content creators also prompt us to buy the products they recommend. However, it is essential that we recognise the part lighting, face tune and photoshop play in creating these illusions. Beauty and fashion campaigns show people wearing a full face of makeup—without actually showing any real skin—while promoting products for people with troubled skin.

Contrastingly, on social media sites like Instagram, hashtags like #skinpositivity, #freethepimple and #skinneutrality are on the rise which has thousands of posts from people advocating for diverse skin textures and features—from vitiligo, acne, freckles and stretch marks. They want to spread awareness regarding what real skin looks like to people who still associate the conventional ideal of “bad skin” with being unclean and unwell.

For individuals who suffer from skin conditions and feel like an outcast because of it, movements like these provide a supportive community to share their skin journey stories, connect with others with similar experiences and help each other out. It helps normalise natural skin and deconstruct the idea that appearance is tied to self-worth in an image-conscious society.

The main idea behind the skin positivity movement is to break the stigma around acne and other skin conditions, challenging the notion that they should be seen as social taboos. These movements encourage individuals to not let skin conditions take over their entire lives and dictate their self-worth. Embracing acceptance and cultivating a positive mindset towards skin, helps us see ourselves and others with the condition in a more inclusive way.

Skin positivity promotes authenticity by encouraging individuals to showcase their unfiltered selves on social media. This can help foster genuine connections and interactions, hence creating a more supportive online community.

The online movement, while still in its infancy, has been able to reach lots of people through various social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok. Even celebrities have pitched in and shared their experiences with skin issues and the pressures of presenting a perfect image online. This has helped spark conversations about normalising skin conditions, body image and mental health issues surrounding it. Companies and brands have also started to take notice. Shows like ‘Young Royals’ and ‘Lady Bird’ on Netflix were praised for accurately representing teenage skin and the natural portrayal of adolescence.

Creating content on these topics helps push the concept of authenticity further in the digital world. Engaging in conversations can help people share their own experiences and make others feel seen. Improved self-esteem and body image can positively affect personal relationships by fostering confidence and self-assurance. Healthy self-perception can contribute to stronger connections with others. Hearing and sharing personal stories within the skin positivity movement fosters empathy. This increased understanding also helps break down stereotypes and prejudices about physical appearance.

The skin positivity movement is not just about feeling positive all the time. It’s about making small steps to embrace the skin you’re in and working towards loving the person looking back at you. It is about dismantling the damaging archetype of perfect skin, which simply isn’t representative of the wider population. In essence, skin positivity is a movement that goes beyond the surface—it’s about embracing individuality, fostering inclusivity and promoting a culture of self-love and acceptance. As we collectively shift towards a more positive and authentic perspective on skin, the ripple effects can be transformative for individuals and society at large.

Dr Gurung, who identifies as queer, is a doctor, artist, freelance writer and plant hobbyist based in Nepal.