I always wonder if other guys rarely care about Acne or if it's mainly the girls in my school. On this website, the balance seems relatively even but I've heard girls say it's harder for them because they think people are more judgemental of their looks and expect more and have also heard guys say it's easier for girls because they can just use makeup. Do you think Acne bothers both genders equally as it is just as problematic for everyone, or are girls just more open to talking about it? I've heard some girls talk about what products to use but never guys, like it's not supposed to be an issue for us or something.
I would say it was equal. Even if guys don't express how hard it is, this site is proof that it bothers them just as much as girls.
For me, acne is a nightmare. Skin is really important to me and I strive to eventually have it looking perfect.
When I was younger, acne didn't bother me at all because I guess I didn't care whether people found me attractive or not. My looks weren't my top priority. Being young and socialising were much more important aspects of my life. Now that I'm 20, I think appearance is key (I'm not saying everyone has to look like a model or anything) due to the fact we need to search for career opportunities and hopefully find someone to spend the rest of our lives with. You're not going to get a job in a professional role if you don't have the confidence that acne takes from you nor will you find a partner.
Acne is hard for us all, but we just have to be diligent and beat it. Before I joined this site I was sat depressed in my room because my face was covered in acne and I had a sudden realisation that I needed to do something about it and I did.
I think acne affects both genders equally. Each person reacts differently to acne though. Some people are more open about how much it affects them where others can act like it doesn't affect them much (even though it does.) People on acne.org are open about their acne because we don't feel judged on here. I think guys in general view discussing skincare routines and products as effeminate which is why they don't usually do it with other guys.
Interesting topic.
I think it does affect both genders equally - but differently.
Girls have it tough because there's so much emphasis on female beauty, especially 'flawless' beauty and soft, smooth skin (this is not simply part of modern celebrity culture - you find it in medieval and Renaissance poetry too!). Make-up can help temporarily, but if I were a girl I'd hate the pressure of having to wear make-up as it would irritate the hell out of my skin. In general, I think men can get away with 'roughing it' a bit more and some can pull off the 'scarred' look and make it look masculine.
Then again, the 'rough' macho image also brings problems for men because it seems 'unmanly' to have a skin-care routine involving products like moisturiser. Although women might be judged on their looks more, men are meant to be ultra confident and self-assured - which is much easier said than done when you suffer with skin problems. Nowadays, men are still expected to make the first move with women they like and do a bit of 'chasing' (unless you're really good looking or rich and women flock towards you - which is rare). Of course, pursuing a girl and facing potential rejection can be extremely difficult when you can't understand why anyone would ever fancy you. I know some girls with acne (or other flaws) who still get approached by men without having to make an effort, and I envy them this.
Judging from what I see on this site, I'd say both genders are effected equally, as in emotionally, self-esteem, etc. However, just from my personal experience, girls get judged way more harshly for having acne than guys. Someone mentioned that girls can just cover up with makeup, but I think that also contributes to why girls get judged more harshly. When a girl goes out with makeup on, people will judge her for having low self-esteem, and most people seem to think wearing makeup will make it worse. If a girl goes out without makeup, people will judge her for the appearance of her skin, like she actually needs to "cover-up" for everyone else's sake. A lot of people seem to perceive this as lack of care for her appearance, which of course is not true. I've never really heard people judge guys much for having acne in my own life. Even most of the guys at my school who have what is considered severe acne have girlfriends. I'm probably biased because I'm a girl, but this is just what I observe and experience in my personal life.
However, other peoples' observations show I'm probably wrong.
I feel the same way as SavyBanana. I think it affects both genders equally, but in a way, I think girls are judged more harshly for it. Society in general almost expects girls to be pretty, and acne certainly isn't pretty nor feminine. And yes, we can use makeup, but as SavyBanana said, then girls are judged for wearing too much makeup and looking like a "cakeface." It's like a lose-lose situation. I think guys get away with having acne more because sometimes it even makes them look more masculine and rugged.
But it also depends on the severity of the acne, and the individual person. Some people don't care about their acne, others care a lot.
Society in general almost expects girls to be pretty, and acne certainly isn't pretty nor feminine. [...] I think guys get away with having acne more because sometimes it even makes them look more masculine and rugged.
Haha, I do not believe acne is virile. It has nothing to do with masculinity or feminity.
I think people are convinced that girls get judged more harshly just because of this tiny little voice ingrained in our brain that reminds us medias, and its models. But it's in our head!
And, to me, boys are not spared by social norms.
Acne can be seen differently, but it does not depend on the gender, I guess.
Society in general almost expects girls to be pretty, and acne certainly isn't pretty nor feminine. [...] I think guys get away with having acne more because sometimes it even makes them look more masculine and rugged.
Haha, I do not think acne is virile. It has nothing to do with masculinity or feminity.
I think people are convinced that girls get judged more harshly just because of this tiny little voice ingrained in our brain that reminds us medias, and its models. But it's in our head!
And, to me, boys are not spared by social norms.
Acne can be seen differently, but it does not depend on the gender, I guess.
Good point. Food for thought, lol.
I'm a guy and I care about my acne more than most girls, but I'm an exception to the rule. Girls definitely have it worse, thanks to the media and the general male population's perception and expectations of beauty. Also, men and women both psychologically view women as a set of features, a combination of parts. Whereas men are seen as actual people. It's true, apparently: http://www.cracked.com/article_20225_6-ways-your-brain-sabotaging-your-sex-life.html (read number 4).
This is a really interesting topic. I think it's equal and unequal in a few different ways.
I think the emotional toll and the insecurities that come with acne is 100% equal for both guys and girls. No matter what gender you are, it's not fun having acne.
Now when it comes to the acne itself and how acne sufferers perceive themselves? I think it's MUCH harder for girls. As it's been mentioned, this is a beauty driven society and women are depicted in the media as these flawless, gorgeous creatures with no imperfections in sight. I can only imagine how difficult that is for women and I hate that the media is built that way because it's such an unattainable mirage to put airbrushed, pore-less perfection in magazines and on tv, etc...because you know girls growing up are going to think that they need to live up to those impossible expectations. So on THAT end of the spectrum? Much harder for girls, and I sympathize completely with the girls who have to deal with all that.
Now when it comes to the relationship aspect of acne and how it affects dating, etc? I think it's MUCH harder for guys. This is a society where men are expected to approach women, pursue women, show all the interest and make the first move in terms of dating and when you're a male suffering from acne that is damn near impossible to do. Acne is a confidence killer and it enhances the fear of rejection that most normal guys would have to a phenomenal level, literally to the point where you can sometimes barely make eye contact with a girl let alone approach her to convey your interest in dating or whatever. You'll notice on this site there is a large percentage of female acne sufferers with boyfriends, husbands, etc...lots of comments like "my boyfriend supports me in this, my husband helps me get through this" ...and comments of that nature. I believe it's easier for female acne sufferers to find significant others because it just doesn't matter if a female if suffering from acne...men are still going to approach her and find her attractive, and once again it comes back to the fact that in this society GUYS are supposed to approach GIRLS. Even if a girl finds a male acne sufferer attractive it's incredibly doubtful that anything will ever come of it because girls almost never approach the guys they're interested in.
Sooo...long story short? I think both genders have it rough as hell, but just in different ways.