Acne Myths – Learn The Truth About Acne

Nearly everyone deals with acne at one point in there life.  In fact about 90% of people worldwide have acne.  That other 10% must be pretty lucky.  However whether you are the person with acne or the person with flawless skin who judges people’s appearance because they have acne, it would be wise to look at what really causes acne before speaking about it.  To do this we first need to debunk all those pesky acne myths.  Here are 7 popular myths on what cause acne.  We are here to set the record straight once and for all.

Myth #1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene

One of the biggest myths dealing with acne is that its due to poor hygiene habits.  When in reality this is not the case.  You can shower a hundred times a day and still come down with a bad case of acne.  In fact if you already suffer from acne and scrub the heck out of your skin you are actually running a high risk of making your acne get worse as washing your skin hard and frequently can irritate the skin causing it to become inflamed and making it more prone to bacteria.

Myth #2: If you eat unhealthy foods your skin is unhealthy too

Contrary to what most people believe what you eat does not matter when it comes to acne formation.  Extensive scientific research has been done to prove that there is no connection between acne and diet.  Fatty foods, chocolate, soda or whatever other types of food you have heard cause acne is simply not true.  What you eat does not make you have acne.  However, people who are already suffering from acne have insisted that certain foods do affect their acne making it worse, in which case if this happens to you then it would probably be wise to avoid those particular foods.  Scientific evidence however states that if you are treating your acne properly you shouldn’t have to worry about what you eat, as it should have no affect on your acne.

Myth #3: Acne will eventually clear itself up

Although this statement is true in some cases, just letting acne run its course does not always prove effective.  It is true that some acne is temporary, however leaving acne untreated can lead to severe skin damage or scarring.  It is always best to have it looked at by a dermatologist and get it treated as soon as possible, because it can be cleared up.  There are all kinds of products today that have been proven to clear up acne quickly and at an affordable cost.  If you have tried these products and nothing seems to work then consider seeing a dermatologist as you may have a more severe case of acne that needs to be diagnosed and approached differently where treatment and prevention is concerned.

Myth #4: Popping pimples makes them go away faster

Yes it is true that if you pop or pick at a pimple that it may seem less noticeable, however popping, picking, or squeezing your pimples actually makes them stick around longer.  This is because when you pop a pimple it pushes bacteria from the pimple further into the skin making your skin even more irritated, red and inflamed.  Sometimes popping pimples can even cause bad scarring that can last for months or even worse forever.  Some scars may even take the form of dents or pits.  Think about it this way, if you seek treatment your acne will be nothing more than a distant memory in the end, whereas a scar is permanent.

Myth #5: Acne is just for teens

This is anything but true.  There are many cases of acne that occur in adults, and it is not something to be ashamed of.  It is something we as humans usually experience at least once throughout our lifetimes.  Although teenagers are more prone to acne due to hormonal changes during their teen years, this does not make them the only ones who suffer from acne.  Anyone can have acne, even babies.  No matter who you are, or how old you are the important thing is to seek treatment so that you don’t have to suffer with acne forever.

Myth #6: Toothpaste can cure acne

So your batty old neighbor next door told you that a dab of toothpaste can cure your zits before prom, or you thought you’d listen to the advice of one of the character’s from the movie ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and spray a little Windex on it.  These are not going to do anything but perhaps make you look silly for trying them.  Also you never know, you could break out into an allergic reaction if your skin becomes irritated, which is highly likely.  To cure acne you should use topical medications that contain the ingredient benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.  Antibiotics have also proven to be quite effective in many cases, especially if your acne becomes inflamed easily or often.  So stay out of the toothpaste aisle and instead make an appointment with your dermatologist.

Myth #7: Tanning clears up skin

Getting a tan may help temporarily disguise existing acne when you get a sun burn and your face is red, but in the long run you are causing permanent damage to your skin.  Sun exposure can cause irritation and also cause your skin to start peeling.  This is not a fun thing to experience, nor is it healthy for your body.  You are also risking the chance of getting skin cancer if you tan.  Something that people often notice is that a few weeks after tanning and exposing their already suffering skin to the sun that they are actually breaking out worse with more acne afterward.  Limiting your skin exposure to the sun in areas of your body that are more prone to acne would be your best bet.  So put down those sun glasses and your tanning blanket and instead why not try some topical medication or see your dermatologist if its more severe, perhaps you need a prescription.

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