Acne Myths

There are many myths about acne, (also called pimples or zits) and these myths have gradually accumulated over the years, passed on by well-intentioned people who think they are giving good information, but in actual fact, they are incorrect.

Common Acne Myths

1. One common misconception is that popping pimples gets rid of them. This is wrong. When you pop a pimple the germs and bacteria that cause it go under the skin. This in turn causes pain, redness, swelling and even infection. Another problem that can develop is scaring which can be permanent.
2. The second myth is that chocolate and fried foods cause pimples. For many years people thought that chocolate, chips, pizza and other junk food, especially fried foods caused acne, probably because not only do teenagers eat a lot of these foods but also subconciously a totally unfounded misconception was made between oily skin and oily fried foods, but there is no documented rational or medical connection to support this. Whilst eating nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and moderate amounts of lean meats and dairy products can help keep the whole body healthy and may help acne, according to most studies fried foods and chocolate will have no effect whatsoever.
3. The third myth concerning acne is stress. Stress is a part of life, and certainly a part of adolescence. Teenagers who worry about tests, sports events or problems at home will get acne, and those who don’t worry will also succumb to the dreaded spots. We all suffer from stress at one time or another, it's  all part of growing up. However, it will not make your acne worse.
4. The fourth myth is that a suntan will get rid of acne. This is also inaccurate. Actually the sun can harm the skin, causing it to become dry, burned, and irritated, and people with suntans are at greater risk of wrinkles and skin cancer in later years. This myth may come from the fact that skin becomes darker when tanned and the redness of acne may not be as easily noticeable on a tanned person. People going out in the sun, especially those with acne should protect their skin with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15. If the sunscreen is marked as non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic, then so much the better because it means that the sunscreen won’t clog the skin's pores, which can make acne worse. Wearing a hat and sunglasses can also help when you're outside and in need of skin protection. Avoid tanning beds. Tanning beds can cause an increased risk of skin cancer, are expensive and are just plain dangerous, personally I always called them automatic aging machines and with good reason!
5. Myth number five - washing your face will prevent or clear up acne. The truth is that washing your face  will remove excess oil, dirt and even dead skin cells. However, over washing or rough scrubbing can irritate the skin and dry it out, which makes any acne worse. It is far better to gently wash your face once or twice a day using a mild cleanser. After washing, pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Avoid products with alcohol because they dry out the skin and can cause irritation and avoid exfoliates, which can irritate acne. Many years ago people thought that applying alcohol to the skin would dry out pores and kill germs to fight acne, but this is not a wise thing to do.
6. Myth number six is don’t wear makeup. Wearing non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic makeup products in moderation should be no problem because these products  are designed not to clog the pores. Also, some make up products contain ingredients like Benzoyl Peroxide or salicylic acid, which can help fight acne.

In addition, many people think that using more and more medicine will get acne under control. However, too much acne medicine can irritate skin or dry it out. Whether you are using an over the counter medicine or a prescription medicine, overuse can cause more harm than not using it at all. The best way to cure acne is sensible hygiene, good nutrition and time. Everyone eventually grows out of chronic acne problems. If you believe you have excessive acne, consult a doctor.

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