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Do you think you already know all there is to know about acne? You may be surprised that some of the things you've heard about acne - like what causes it and how to deal with it - actually aren't true. Keep reading to find out some fast facts.
Myth #1: Tanning clears up skin.
Fact: Although a tan may temporarily mask acne, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated, leading to more breakouts in the future. In fact, there's no link between sun and acne prevention, though the sun's rays can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Always protect your skin by choosing a sunscreen with at least an SPF (sun protection factor) 15 that says noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label, which means it won't clog pores.
Myth #2: Chocolate and greasy foods cause acne.
Fact: Although eating too many sugary, high-fat foods is never a good idea, studies show that no specific food has been proven to cause acne. Every individual is different, though. Some people notice their breakouts are worse after eating certain foods - and these foods are different depending on the person. For example, some people may notice breakouts after eating chocolate, while others are fine with cholcolate but notice they get breakouts after drinking too much coffee. If that's the case for you, it can help to cut back on that food and see if it makes a difference.
Myth #3: The more you wash your face, the fewer breakouts you'll have.
Fact: Although washing your face helps to remove dirt and oil from your pores, washing too much can lead to dryness and irritation, causing more breakouts. Also, avoid scrubbing your face, which can irritate the skin. As a general rule, wash your face twice a day with mild soap and water in a circular motion and gently pat dry when you're done.
Myth #4: Popping pimples will help them go away faster.
Fact: Popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily, but popping can cause it to stay around longer. By squeezing pimples and zits, you can actually push bacteria further into the skin, causing more swelling and redness - and sometimes causing a red or brown mark or scar to form. Sometimes marks can last for many months and true scars (dents and pits) will last forever.
Myth #5: Don't wear makeup if you want clear skin.
Fact: As long as you choose cosmetics that are nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, they shouldn't cause breakouts. In fact, some concealers now contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which help to fight acne. You can also try tinted benzoyl peroxide creams that hide pimples while helping treat them.
If you've had moderate to severe acne, though, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the best cosmetics to use - he or she may recommend avoiding cosmetics altogether or only using certain brands so you're acne isn't aggravated.
And even if a product is labeled nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, you should stop using it and talk to your doctor if you notice that it's irritating your skin or seems to cause breakouts.
Myth #6: If you keep getting breakouts, it helps to use more acne medication until the breakouts stop.
Fact: Because acne medication contains drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, using too much medication may cause overdrying, leading to irritation and more blemishes.
If over-the-counter acne medication doesn't seem to work on your acne, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Also, if you're taking a prescription acne medication, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions; some medications may take up to 8 weeks to make a significant difference.
Myth #7: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. If you believe this myth, and wash your skin hard and frequently, you can actually make your acne worse. Acne is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Although excess oils, dead skin and a day's accumulation of dust on the skin looks unsightly, they should not be removed by hand scrubbing. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will actually irritate the skin and make acne worse. The best approach to hygiene and acne: Gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap, pat dry--and use an appropriate acne treatment for the acne.
Myth #8: Acne is caused by diet. Extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. In other words, food does not cause acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Nonetheless, some people insist that certain foods affect their acne. In that case, avoid those foods. Besides, eating a balanced diet always makes sense. However, according to the scientific evidence, if acne is being treated properly, there's no need to worry about food affecting the acne.
Myth #9: Acne is caused by stress. The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne. Severe stress that needs medical attention is sometimes treated with drugs that can cause acne as a side effect. If you think you may have acne related to a drug prescribed for stress or depression, you should consult your physician.
Myth #10: Acne is just a cosmetic disease. Yes, acne does affect the way people look and is not otherwise a serious threat to a person’s physical health. However, acne can result in permanent physical scars--plus, acne itself as well as its scars can affect the way people feel about themselves to the point of affecting their lives.
Myth #11: You just have to let acne run its course. The truth is, acne can be cleared up. If the acne products you have tried haven’t worked, consider seeing a dermatologist. With the products available today, there is no reason why someone has to endure acne or get acne scars.
Acne is a common skin condition, which can be extremely mild or quite disfiguring. Proper and prompt treatment can heal acne problem and prevent future or further acne problems. But acne myths have stayed around- often causing grave delays in seeking treatment.
One of the myths is that acne is caused by everyday dirt and surface oil on the skin and that the solution is frequent and vigorous washing of the skin. Vigorous washing of the face to cure acne is a myth. The fact is- the problems that have caused chronic acne are deeper, beneath the skin’s surface. The treatment should be only a mild washing of the face is in order, often accompanied with specific solutions prescribed for treating the acne by a dermatologist. Vigorous washing of the face, particularly with harsh soaps, can lead to a further irritation of the tissue. There is, in part, a bacteriological condition that contributes to acne and it is below the surface.
Another idea is that acne is caused by stress. Scientific research seems to indicate that stress alone probably does not lead to acne, but it may be aggravated by stress. But, unfortunately, acne can result from certain prescriptions that are used to treat stress. So, if you are on certain drugs related to stress, you should talk to your dermatologist, the appropriate type of physician for dealing with this problem. According to Doctor James Fulton, a pioneer in the treatment of acne, lithium, a substance sometimes used in profound psychological disorders, can aggravate an acne condition.
Another myth that can lead to profoundly unpleasant consequences is that one should let acne run its course, “grow out of it.” Sometimes, acne can linger for years and get worse and worse. And it may turn to ugly acne scars if acne is not treated.
Can acne be the consequence of poor nutrition? There are certainly many naturopathically oriented practitioners and some medical doctors that share this view, though. Not everything in medicine is a hundred percent clear cut and every acne victim should certainly research all the alternatives. Remember, excess some kind of nutrition will destroy balance of body nutrition and may worsen acne problem.
The 5 Most Common Lies About Acne
There are millions of people in the USA and more millions in other countries suffering from acne. Acne is a very common skin disorder, but it is a sad part of the lives to those sufferers.
The good news we know is that acne is a very treatable disease. People can learn many acne information and treatments online. However, there are some acne myths that spread around. You need to know and avoid false treatment and unrealistic expectations.
Here is a list of 5 very common myths about acne and its causes:
1.Acne is caused by diet.
This is the most widely used myth. Hundreds of studies were conducted and no one proved that certain diet ingredients cause acne. However, one recent study shows a connection between milk consumption and appearance of acne. Another suggested linkage is between the consumption of high-glycemic foods and acne (soft drinks, sweets etc.). This also may explain the absence of acne in non-western countries. This link is not fully established, but is a good idea to reduce the consumption of such foods, anyway.
2. Deficient personal hygiene.
Acne is not caused by dirt. This is a common misconception because acne appear because infection on the surface. The truth is that these infections origin deep beneath the surface, within the clogged pores of the skin. It is advisable to clean the skin on a regular basis, but doing so will not prevent acne definitely.
3. Sex.
So many myths surround sex. The common myth is that masturbation or celibacy may create acne. There is not scientific support to the claim.
4. Acne is caused by stress.
The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne. Severe stress that needs medical attention is sometimes treated with drugs that can cause acne as a side effect.
5. You just have to let acne run its course.
There is no reason in the world that you, or anyone else, should endure acne for a long time. Some acne cases leave scares if you do not treat it properly and promptly. Leaving acne be is not a wise way.
After dispelling the myths and lies about acne, it is time to take action and deal with it. You can treat acne effectively because it is a very treatable disorder. |
