Acne Myths and Truths
Posted on 04. Jan, 2009 by admin in Acne Myths
Eliminating the Misconceptions Surrounding Acne
Acne is a very widespread condition that affects almost everyone all around the world at some point in his or her life. Although there are many advancements being made for the awareness of acne, there still seem to be an astounding number of myths concerning acne. Whether these myths are being passed from one family member to the next, being read in various magazine publications, or if they are simply heard in passing, there are several that need to be dispelled.
There may be little harm in these myths for several people, but for others who experience acne that is persistent, many of these can turn into a much larger skin problem with practices that can cause their acne problems to become much worse.
The information below is to help discredit some of the common myths floating around, and provide you with information that will help you find the best treatment for your specific situation.
Dirt causes acne – This is false. Blemishes can form when the oil that your body naturally produces are combined with dead skin cells, which will clog hair follicles, or your pores. Dirt has nothing to do with this process. Washing your face more frequently because of this myth will not improve your acne, but it can do a lot in making it worse. Frequently washing with scrubs that may be harsh and pore strips can strip the oil your skin needs to stay pliable and soft, resulting in skin that is flaky and dry and can even produce excessive amounts of oil.
Only teens have acne – you can grow out of it – This particular myth can lead to a variety of problems. Teens may feel like they can just wait the problem out instead of trying to find the proper treatment, which might result in problems with low self-esteem, and scarring can occur in severe forms of acne. Adults can even experience further problems, as they often feel embarrassed to consult with a doctor for treatment. They will often feel as if they are not doing something correctly, or they may wonder why they still have problems with acne, when it is not any fault of their own. Acne can occur at any time, and it is a condition that is treatable. Treatment may however vary in the duration and course of treatment for each individual.
Acne is merely a cosmetic condition – Acne is a condition that affects a person’s appearance, and it does not affect a person’s physical health. It can drastically affect how a person feels about themselves and in how they may feel about the world around them. It can cause tremendous problems with self-esteem issues as well as depression. Scarring can also occur even after the acne is gone, which can lead to emotional scarring and permanent physical changes. Treatment should never be avoided because someone has told you that acne is just a small problem. The quicker you contact a professional, the quicker you will be able to enjoy much smoother skin.
Spot treatments are effective – This is false. For numerous years products that can be obtained over the counter have made the claim that small amounts of medication that is placed on blemishes can clear acne up. Because of the fact that blemishes can take up to 2 or 3 weeks for them to develop, you are only treating old symptoms of problems with acne rather than treating the actual problem. Stopping problems with blemishes before they develop will give you much more success in enjoying smoother skin. This means you will need to treat your entire face every single day, even when there are no blemishes present.
Specific foods cause acne – This is false. There have been no connections made between the foods that you eat and acne. Many foods like fried foods, chocolate and pizza that so many of us have avoided are not the culprits for causing our acne issues. It is still however very important to eat healthy, as your body will then be able to have the strength that it needs to properly fight off infection.
Makeup is a known cause for acne – Many of the make up products available today contain non-comedogenic ingredients, and that means they will not cause your pores to become clogged. When purchasing cosmetics you should always look for those that are oil-free or water based, is hypoallergenic or contains no fragrances, and those that include non-comedogenic ingredients. Exercise that is strenuous can cause all types of makeup products to make its way across your skin and into the pores.
Too much sex can cause acne – This is false. Hormones called androgens are produced in puberty and they are a contributing factor to acne. Androgens and various other hormones can increase the sex drive, but they will not cause acne.
Antibiotics can lessen the effects of oral contraceptives – This is false. It was thought for years that antibiotics taken along with oral contraceptives would end up causing more pregnancies, however this is not the case. This particular myth should not hinder your efforts for finding the specific treatments of acne medications that will work well with your individual problems.
Sweating helps to clean the pores – Exercising is important for achieving a healthy body, and in some individuals it can cause outbreaks. Oil production is stimulated during vigorous exercising, and the excess oil combined with friction, perspiration and heat can aggravate problems of acne on the back, forehead and chest. Irritation can be minimized by loose fitting cotton clothing and by immediately showering after you are done exercising. The safest form of exercising for sufferers of acne is swimming. While you are in the water, heat, perspiration and friction do not have to be worried about. Be careful not to wear a wet swimsuit for a prolonged time however because this can end up causing breakouts.
Exposure to the sun helps acne – This is false. Small amounts of exposure to the sun may help initially and blemishes may not be noticed as much, but any exposure that is prolonged will cause exfoliation to occur more rapidly, in turn you receiving pores that are clogged. Macules and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can become darker when you spend a great deal of time out in the sun. Exposure to the sun can dramatically increase the chances you have in getting various cancers of the skin, and it can cause increase your chances of scarring as well. It is always wise to use sunscreen that is oil free and an SPF of at least 15, protecting against both UVB and UVA rays.
Toning and scrubbing the skin stops acne – Harsh exfoliants purchased over the counter that include walnut shells or apricot pits can be very irritating and tear the skin, which will increase the chance of more breakouts and infection. Toners that have an alcohol base can actually strip your skin of oils that are necessary, and they will leave your skin feeling irritated and dry. You skin may also begin to produce larger amounts of oil. For successful results you should use a medicated scrub that is gentle, and an alcohol free toner that is mild. An alternative that is gentle to your skin would be witch hazel.
Stress can cause acne – This statement is somewhat true but exaggerated. It does not actually cause acne, but it is responsible for triggering breakouts. Cortisol is produced in higher amounts when the body is stressed, which then will cause the sebaceous glands to begin producing more oil. It is hard to gauge general effects of the skin that is due to stress because every individual is so different. Events that are exciting to us like weddings or a date can cause us to experience stress. The response that you have to this stress will be much of the deciding factor in the amount of breakouts that you experience.
You can cure acne – This is false. It may not be curable yet, but you can effectively treat acne. The best treatment is to prevent initial blemishes from occurring. There are many different treatments available, so if your breakouts seem to hang around you will want to consult with your dermatologist. Even when blemishes have healed, the problem has not been cured. You must always be diligent with the treatment that works best for your skin.
