How Much is Clear Skin Worth?
About $275 (U.S.), at least for the majority of teens.
Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco gave a written questionnaire to 266 teenagers. All were between the ages of 14 and 18, and all had acne to some degree. The teens were asked to put a monetary value on clear skin.
To completely erase acne forever, most teens would pay $275. (Their parents, when asked the same question, were willing to cough up nearly as much: $250.)
Those with more severe acne were willing to pay much more. But, as anyone with acne knows, completely clear skin is the goal. Fifty percent clearing of acne was only worth about 10 bucks to the teens.
Apart from being an interesting study, the results can help doctors understand the mindset of their acne patients. Because, from a medical standpoint, 50% clearing of acne is pretty darn good. But for those with acne, it isn't nearly enough. Misunderstandings are eliminated when both the doctor and patient are on the same page, and you get the best results.
Source: Cynthia L. Chen, MD; Miriam Kuppermann, PhD, MPH; Aaron B. Caughey, MD, MPP, MPH; Lee T. Zane, MD, MAS. "A Community-Based Study of Acne-Related Health Preferences in Adolescents." Arch Dermatol. 2008;144(8):988-994.
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