While it may be easy to scoff
off an acne fetish with remarks
like, "I don't have that problem,"
this condition is more common
than properly acknowledged.
A fetish is an object of unreasonably
obsessive attention or regard.
Thus, extreme attention given
to zits and pimples characterize
an acne fetish. Two clinical
forms of an acne fetish include
excoriated acne and imagined
acne.
Excoriated acne occurs when
an acne patient continues
to pick at or squeeze acne
formations on their face,
never allowing the skin to
heal. This constant picking
aggravates the acne condition
and often times leaves severe
scarring. Imagined acne happens
when a patient is convinced
she has acne but in reality
does not. This person may
have one small pimple and
blow the existence of the
pimple out of proportion and
view it as a severe case of
acne.
Underlying both of these acne
fetishes is the fear of being
ugly, or dysmorphophobia.
It's an easy psychological
state to acquire in a society
that increasingly places more
value on superficial looks
than personal traits.
Steps to combating an acne
fetish include:
Spending less time self-critiquing
in front of the mirror; and
Embellishing your talents.
Even a hiatus from mirror
visits may help an acne fetish.
If you do look in the mirror,
focus on elements of your
face besides the zits. For
instance, look at the color
of your eyes or the size of
your lips, without criticizing
of course. You may have lovely
eyelashes or the perfect eyebrows.
Whenever you look in the mirror
stop making negative judgments
about yourself. If you do
find yourself ridiculing yourself
and wanting to burst a zit
in a rushed desire for clear
skin, just remind yourself
that every zit that you prematurely
pop may encourage the formation
of 3 completely new zits.
Focus on your greatest assets
as a person, or cultivate
new skills. You may be an
awesome guitar player or fabulous
singer, give yourself recognition
for your strengths. Do something
that you've always wanted
to do, but did not do because
you felt having acne precludes
you from this activity.
In the final analysis, healing
an acne fetish starts with
recognizing that this condition
has serious medical repercussions.
An acne fetish can debilitate
one's self-esteem while encouraging
needless facial scarring.
If you think you have an acne
fetish, you can get help from
a qualified dermatologist,
psychologists or just talk
it over with some really cool
and understanding friends.
About the Author
http://www.noixia.com
Naweko San-Joyz is a graduate
of Stanford University. She
recently published "Acne Messages:
Crack the code of your zits
and say goodbye to acne".
To challenge and verify her
research, San-Joyz trains
for figure competitions. She
currently writes health articles
from her home in San Diego.
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