Nine Myths About Acne

Thanks to modern science, we are learning more and more about this condition. This knowledge is clearing up the myths that have been associated with acne for years. The following are common myths about acne.

Myth #1 - Poor hygiene causes acne. This is not the reason for outbreaks of acne. Acne is caused by the mixture of sebum and dead cells. This combination sitting beneath the surface of the skin cannot be cleaned because of its location. It is true that gently cleaning with soap and water once or twice a day will keep the skin healthy. Do not scrub too hard because this can make acne worse, just use a gentle touch.

Myth #2 - Chocolate and junk food cause acne. We have been told for years that greasy foods and chocolate will cause acne. There is no scientific evidence to substantiate this claim. Studies that have been done on this have provided no significant data to prove that this is true. What is true is that eating a lot of junk food, including greasy fast foods and products with tons of sugar, is not healthy. If you want to be healthy overall then you should avoid these food anyway.

Interestingly enough there does seem to be new evidence that milk and foods that are high in iodine can cause pimples. We all know where to find milk but some may not know where to find iodine in foods. Iodine is found in seafood. Therefore if you have acne you may want to limit your intake of seafood.

Myth #3 - Just let acne has to run its course. We all know that you do not have to suffer with acne until it decides to go away. Many treatments available for acne, so those who are suffering from the discomfort and embarrassment that acne causes can find relief by consulting with a dermatologist or using over-the-counter medicine.

Myth #4 - Using a lot of acne medicine will get rid of acne faster. Many people think that if their acne gets worse they should use more medicine. However, excess use of acne ointments actually irritates the skin, and oral medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. Therefore, you need to always follow the directions for the acne medications.

Myth #5 - Acne is for teens only. While it is true that acne often occurs in adolescents and clears up by the time they reach their early 20s, it is not limited to that age group. Acne affects many adults and will even sometimes show up for the first time when that person is in their 30s or 40s.

Myth #6 - Acne affects your appearance only. Anyone with acne will tell you that this simply is not true. While it is a skin condition, acne can have lasting emotional effects depending on the emotional stability of the person and the seriousness of their acne. People with sever acne suffer from much psychological distress which can lead to low self-esteem, withdrawal from social contacts and even depression.

Myth #7 - Makeup causes acne. It is true that oil based makeup will clog your pores and cause unhealthy skin. If you use cosmetics that are labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" you should be safe and you will not have to worry about clogging your pores.

Myth #8 - You can get rid of your pimples by popping them. This is perhaps one of the most widely accepted myths, the plain truth is that popping pimples actually aggravates acne because it spreads the bacteria which is causing the acne to begin with. You should also know that scarring may be caused by popping pimples. So do not do it.

Myth #9 - The sun is a good treatment for acne. Sun exposure dries out the excess oil, this much is true. So you may notice a short-term improvement in your condition. However, once your skin gets used to the sun, it will adjust itself and produce even more oil. So as you can see, the improvement is only temporary. On top of that you can cause damage to your skin by prolonged exposure to the sun. So it is just not worth the danger you can cause your skin.