Acne can also lower teenagers’ self-esteem—how they see and feel about themselves. According to “Acne’s Assault on Teenage Confidence,” 30 to 40% of teenagers are embarrassed and anxious because of their acne, which lowers their self-esteem (USA Today Magazine). For one student in the article, “Acne appeared sporadically at first…but within two years she said her face, chest and back were covered with embarrassing lesions of cystic acne. ‘I was very self-conscious, deeply insecure and anxious,’ Sophia, a Brooklyn high school student, told me. ‘I would wake up ashamed for my face. I felt so unattractive all the time. I had to use so much makeup and wear concealing clothing. I avoided doing presentations in front of the class. Acne kept me from feeling confident and developing my personal style’” (Brody). Teenagers with severe acne, especially with acne on their face, can feel unattractive, uncomfortable, and unconfident, affecting their mental health and lowering their self-esteem.