Skin Conditions should be Normalised

Film and television have improved in leaps and bounds in showing humanity in all its diversity. The cinematic world has opened its doors to individuals that are often left out of the limelight through increased representation of different races, different genders and sexual orientation, and different physical and mental disabilities or mental illnesses. 

However, media platforms still seem to overlook a very common problem that almost all people have had at some point in their lives – skin conditions. These include acne, eczema and shingles as some of the most common skin conditions, according to Drugs.com. Not only are these underrepresented in the media but they are often purposefully covered up. 

According to statistics from the American Academy of Dermatology it is estimated that 85 per cent of people have a form of acne between the age of 12 and 24. The chances of acne continuing into adulthood are increasing and more people are experiencing breakouts in their thirties or forties. 

Despite this notably high number there continues to be this apparent need in any TV show or film for teenagers to have these perfectly smooth complexions, free from any blemishes whatsoever. Even in scenes where the character is supposedly meant to have a gargantuan spot you would need a magnifying glass to see it. Conversely, the director may choose to overemphasize the spot to be an enormous obviously glued on blob on one specific point on the character’s face while the surrounding skin remains perfect for an obvious comedic effect. 

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are excellent examples of how Hollywood covers up natural imperfections. During their Harry Potter years, they were all reported to have had serious cases of acne which led to the producers digitally removing any spots or blemishes in postproduction.  

Another very common skin condition is eczema with roughly ten per cent of people having a form of it in the United States, according to the National Eczema Association. Eczema is one of many dry skin conditions which can develop anytime between birth and into adulthood. 

I, myself, am afflicted with psoriasis which is an autoimmune disease and currently has no permanent cure. The dry skin from psoriasis appears as bright red patches which often have a grey scaly covering on them. It’s not a very pretty sight particularly for people who have never seen psoriasis before.  

People have honestly mistaken my psoriasis patches for bug bites, burns and even hickeys. It becomes quickly tiresome when you must explain to new acquaintances that you have psoriasis and then proceed to give them a full scientific rundown on it when their look of confusion doesn’t change because they have never heard of it before. 

People with skin conditions can often feel put down and ostracised from people’s lack of understanding. The media has opened the minds of people to so many sensitive topics over the years and hopefully as the prevalence of skin conditions increases the representation of it will as well.