A Canadian study has found patients with acne are at a significantly greater risk of developing major depression within the first five years of being diagnosed.

Acne is not just a 'skin issue', it can lead to serious mental health concerns.

A large study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, has found patients with acne are at a significantly increased risk of developing major depression within the first five years of being diagnosed with the skin condition.

The analysis of UK electronic medical records from between 1986-2012 found the risk for major depression was highest within a year of acne diagnosis, with those individuals at a 63 per cent higher risk compared with individuals without acne.

The authors of the study say the results indicate a "critical" need for physicians to monitor mood symptoms in patients with acne and initiate prompt treatment for depression or seek consultation from a psychiatrist when needed.

"This study highlights an important link between skin disease and mental illness. Given the risk of depression was highest in the period right after the first time a patient presented to a physician for acne concerns, it shows just how impactful our skin can be towards our overall mental health" said lead author Dr Isabelle Vallerand, of the University of Calgary in Canada.

"For these patients with acne, it is more than a skin blemish, it can impose significant mental health concerns and should be taken seriously," Dr Vallerand said.

Australian specialist Dr Deshan Sebaratnam, a member of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, says many people think of acne as a minor problem or just "part of life" but for sufferers it can be a very negative experience for them.

"It's not just the cosmetic impact, it impacts social functioning and relationships - all those things and they have knock-on effects," he said.

And the acne doesn't have to be severe to impact a person's quality of life, says Dr Sebaratnam.

"Severity as you would kind of measure it objectively doesn't necessarily correlate with the impact on quality of life. You might have someone with severe acne and they're not too bothered but you might have someone with much, much milder acne but it exerts a significant impact on their quality of life," he said.

"A massive part of skin disease is quality of life and it's something that people don't always recognise. When you see patients with acne and then once they are on the right treatment and their skin gets much better they are completely different people when you see them for their follow-up visit; so much brighter, so much happier."

Australian readers seeking support and information about depression can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.