“If you have acne, don’t worry, I have good news – people with acne live longer. People with acne age slower than people with clear skin, so if you have acne – good for you,” Sungjemlila Longkumer, an Indian skinfluencer, said on an Instagram reel.

Pimples, whether big or small, can be both painful and annoying. However, social media has unearthed some facts that can make acne sufferers feel better.

Sungjaemlila is not the only person who claims that people with acne age slowly. Today, the internet is full of people and dermatologists who claim that people with acne age slowly.

But how true is this? Read on to find out.

Does having acne slow you down? Experts have varying opinions

Is your acne keeping your wrinkles at bay? This may be true to some extent. We asked the experts, and their opinions varied.

For example, Dr. Konidena says scientists have confirmed after research that acne delays aging.

He says that according to this study, people who have previously suffered from acne are likely to have longer telomeres.

Telomeres are DNA structures, and their length can predict biological aging. Telomeres gradually break down and shrink as cells age, but in acne patients, they are longer, which delays aging.

Dr. Neha Khurana, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Delhi-based House of Aesthetics, also agrees.

She further adds that in the Indian context, a study conducted by the Indian Journal of Dermatology found that about 80% of adolescents suffer from acne with varying severity.

“With this widespread prevalence, it has become particularly relevant for the Indian population to understand the long-term effects of acne on ageing,” says Dr Neha.

However, this study has some limitations. Apart from this, other experts also say that this study is not enough evidence.

For instance, Dr Akanksha Sanghvi, founder and dermatologist at Oprava Aesthetics in Mumbai, says there is no scientific evidence to suggest that people with acne age slower.

He explained that acne is primarily related to hormonal changes and skin inflammation, which are separate from the biological processes of aging such as cell senescence and DNA damage.

Dr Simrat Sandhu, Cosmetic Physician at Cosmetic Centre, Amritsar, agrees with Dr Sanghvi. She says that the statement that people with acne age slowly is not a definite truth, but yes, according to some research, there is some truth in it.

“Although there are some benefits to having acne in terms of aging, it’s not a guarantee, as the negative effects of acne can outweigh any potential anti-aging benefits. Incorporating a skincare routine into your life is essential to maintaining healthy skin and protecting it from the sun to get younger-looking skin,” she adds.

Mumbai-based dermatologist Dr Sharifa Chaussey adds that ageing is a complex process that everyone experiences.

Dr. Chausse says, “There can be many factors behind early ageing, such as genetics, constant exposure to harmful UV rays, air pollution and facial expressions. Your lifestyle plays a vital role in skin ageing, so if you are one of those who often eat junk food, processed food, drink excessive alcohol and smoke, you should be careful and give up these unhealthy habits.”

Why do we get acne?

There are different types of pimples on your face and they can be caused by a combination of several factors that cause hair follicles to become blocked with oil and dead skin cells.

• One of the main causes is the excess production of sebum, an oily substance made by the sebaceous glands to lubricate the skin and hair.
• When these glands produce too much oil, it combines with dead skin cells to clog the pores. This creates an ideal environment for the skin. Propionibacterium acnes Bacteria proliferate, causing inflammation and infection.

• Hormonal changes, especially during puberty, menstruation or pregnancy, can also promote acne by increasing sebum production.

Now, all these factors result in four different types of acne. Dr Akanksha Sanghvi, a dermatologist and founder of Oprava Aesthetics in Bandra, says, “There are several types of acne, each with different symptoms and signs.”

• Comedonal acne consists of non-inflamed lesions such as whiteheads and blackheads.
• The other type of acne is inflammatory, consisting of red, swollen pimples or papules, which are often painful and prone to scarring, moderate cases are known as papules and pustules, while severe cases cause nodules and cysts, which can be painful and deep.
• Hormonal acne refers to acne that is primarily influenced by hormonal fluctuations in the body, particularly androgens like testosterone.
• It usually appears as deep, cystic lesions around the jaw, chin, and sometimes the neck and back.

Dr. Sahiti Konidena, dermatologist and founder of Hyderabad-based Prime Derm Skin & Hair Clinic, divides these pimples into four categories according to their severity.

• grade 1 comedones
• Grade 2 papules, pustules, and comedones
• Grade 3: Nodules, more pimples and boils
• Grade 4 Predominantly cysts, extensive scarring

How to treat acne?

There is no one way to treat acne. Dr. Chausse says that to effectively treat acne-related problems, skin hygiene, lifestyle changes and safety measures should be adopted to prevent skin problems like acne, pimples, acne and skin sagging.

Dr. Chausse says, “People who are used to touching their face with dirty hands frequently should be careful, as these habits can make your acne worse over time. Wash your face regularly with gentle cleansers that are gentle on your skin to avoid the risk of dealing with acne. Use only products recommended by experts. Stress can aggravate your acne, which is why reducing stress can help improve your skin health.”