La Roche-Posay, a dermatological and skincare company, has launched a global awareness campaign, ‘Scars of Life’, to highlight the psychological and social effects of scars and chronic skin conditions.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognised skin health as a global public health priority, underscoring the need to address not only the physical manifestations of skin diseases but also the stigma, anxiety and emotional distress they can cause. It is estimated that around two billion people worldwide live with skin conditions.
According to La Roche-Posay, the Scars of Life campaign seeks to deepen understanding of the emotional and social impact of skin conditions. The initiative includes a global research study involving 30,000 patients across 27 countries. Findings to date indicate that 71% of acne patients report reduced self-confidence, 47% of eczema patients prefer to hide themselves, and 50% of cancer patients interrupt treatment due to skin-related side effects. Additional evidence presented at the 2025 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress also revealed an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts among patients with chronic skin disease.
The research builds on the Scars of Life Scale, a validated clinical assessment tool developed by La Roche-Posay and first published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD). The scale provides clinicians with a standardised method to evaluate the emotional well-being and quality of life of patients with chronic skin conditions, supporting more holistic and informed decisions around treatment and daily care.
The research has culminated in a feature-length documentary which follows patients living with visible and invisible scars as they share their personal experiences. The film, produced by ELEPHANT, with a premiere in Paris, coincides with World Mental Health Day (10 October) and Pink October, the breast cancer awareness month, and ‘gives voice to people living with visible and invisible scars – from acne and eczema to cancer recovery – revealing the deep emotional imprint of skin conditions and the resilience behind them’.
La Roche-Posay hopes the campaign will encourage clinicians, researchers and policymakers to adopt a more integrated approach to skin health – one that recognises the psychological as well as the physical impact of skin conditions. Wider adoption of validated tools such as the Scars of Life Scale could help advance this shift.
Alexandra Reni-Catherine, La Roche-Posay global general manager said: “Scars are stories. With Scars of Life, we aim to share a message of hope for patients and inspire understanding and support for those living in the shadow of their scars. We want to spark a global conversation, breaking down the taboos and stigma surrounding scars while empowering people to connect with healthcare professionals and seek the support they need.”