People With Acne Look Younger for Longer, According to Science

A new study has found that people with acne have a stronger chromosome that slows down the ageing process

21 March, 2018
People With Acne Look Younger for Longer, According to Science

​Anyone who has ever suffered from acne will know the daily turmoil of being covered in white blobs and red marks.

As a long-term member of AA (Acne Anonymous), I can vouch for the countless mornings of not wanting to get out of bed, the tears, splurging on facial washes and topical lotions, the unnecessary layers of foundation and the rounds of Roaccutane.

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For some reason – biology, environment or downright luck – some people aren't struck with the wrecking ball that is acne.

(I swear if I hear one more person tell me I should try washing my face more or drink more water I'll throw a bottle of Clearasil at them).

But, my spotty friends, the day to rejoice has commeth because a new study has found that acne sufferers are more likely to look better as they age than their fresh-faced friends.

Did you hear that?

Yes, that is the 'Hallelujah' chorus echoing across the nation.

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According to the study – published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology - facial signs of aging such as wrinkles and thinning of the skin often appear much later in life for people who have endured acne.

The research involved analyzing 1,205 female twins, in which group a quarter admitted to having experienced acne. Examination of the volunteers' white blood cells and skin samples indicated those who had suffered from acne had longer protective caps (otherwise known as telomeres) on the ends of their chromosomes.

'Right, so why is that a good thing?' you ask.

Well, these telomeres prevent chromosomes from weakening and given that they're linked to ageing and get smaller over time, people with long telomeres were found to age slower than people with short ones.

Hello, longer-lasting youthfulness and beauty.

So, while the sight of acne might have you itching to squeeze, scrub and hide your skin away under a balaclava at the moment, remember that when you're old and grey, you'll be looking much younger than your friends.

Really, us acne sufferers are the lucky ones…​

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Credit: Cosmopolitan
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