In my career as a dermatologist for more than a decade I came across with numerous patients suffering from different kinds of acne. Many of the people ask questions about the causes and reasons behind the breakouts of the acne. These questions made me realized that there are numerous myths related to acne that are no true. In this article I am going to address ton ten myths related to acne in order to clarify their fallacies with explanation.
- Washing face with oil free soap will help in clearing up acne
Dirt or dust does not cause acne or blemishes as assumed by a number of people. Skin pores do not get blocked from the surface of the facial skin as shown in the number of TV commercials and advertisements. Instead acne is caused when the pores get blocked from deep down in the skin. The excessive oil and other impurities including toxins results in the joining the wall of pores deep down the skin. Frequent washing with an oil free soap may disturb the natural PH level of you skin that may result in irritation and results in the clogging of the pores. The best way to remove dirt and grime from your face is to wash it with fresh water and your bare hands in gentle and tender way. - Acne is originated due to Anxiety and Stress
Stress or anxiety is not the root cause behind the acne. Don’t feel guilty if you take tension or stress that it might be transform into acne as stress and acne are not directly related to one another. Stress triggers some emotional and psychological changes in a person that may result in unbalancing the right level of hormones leading to acne breakout. However, its not always the case, as a number of people suffering from depression and stress do not develop acne at all. - Sex or Masturbation: A culprit behind Acne
This myth was established in early 17th century to restrain teenagers and young people from having illegal sex or sex before marriage. This myth is as wrong as claiming that sun rises from west. This is absolutely hype and you must not believe in such nonsense. - Sunlight helps in getting relieve of Acne
A number of people are of the view that exposure to sunlight helps in curing acne. This is a pure myth with no connection to the reality as direct exposure to the sun makes your skin dry and dehydrated that results in more break out of acne. UV rays in the sunlight can cause premature aging of your skin with emergence of wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes. Exposure to the sunlight may cause skin cancer in many cases. You must protect your skin from the harsh rays of sun by coating it with sun block having sun protection factor at least 15.Select the sun block that is nonacnegenic to avoid the blockage of pores deep in inside your skin.Sun also damages your skin by spoiling your natural complexion. It reddens your skin as a result dark acne marks are blended in to your skin. Reddening of the skin tone is actually the sunburn that causes your skin to irritate and inflamed. Skin tends to break out during its process f healing from sunburns. People think this breaking leads to removal of acne from the skin however this is a short-term aid and will attack back with more acne. However, slight exposure to the sunlight is not bad as our skin gets vitamin D directly from the sun that helps in the proper functioning of your body. - Acne is caused due to certain type of diets
Research and studies show that no specific food is directly related to acne breakouts. However, eating too much spicy, oily, sugary high-fat and peppery food can result in inflammation of internal lining of stomach that may lead to allergy and hypersensitivity of the skin. Although food is not directly related to the formation of acne however certain food that are rich in oil and spices can make your acne breakouts worse. For example in some people acne attack becomes worse if a person eats chocolate and intake excessive amount of coffee. Every individual has different cellular and blood chemistry so every reacts differently to each individual. - Squeezing pimple can help in getting rid of them sooner
Bursting a pimple or popping it with your nails can result in critical consequences. No doubt popping makes pimple less visible and prominent for a certain time but the scar remain there on your skin for a longer period of time. Squeezing pimple and fluid contained in the pimple results in pushing the bacteria and germs deeper into your skin that results in severe inflammation and deep scarring. The dead cells and the zit produced in the pimple also merge with your skin causing the reddening of the skin from that particular area. Some of these marks are so stubborn that they last on your skin forever. - Makeup Makes the Acne Worse
Chemical free cosmetics do not enhance acne breakouts. Instead a number of base products use for the make up use salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to resist the formation of acne. However, if you are suffering from the severe acne you can ask you dermatologist about the brand of cosmetic that best suits your oily and inflamed skin. Try to apply little make if you are suffering from severe acne as make up may enhance the production of zit and fluid inside the acne. Purchase nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic products to avoid the inflammation of existing breakouts of the acne. - Use more and more acne medicines to stop acne breakouts
Too much use of acne medications may lead to over-drying of the skin along with producing blemishes and inflammation of the skin. Acne medicines also irritates the skin if used unchecked. If continuous use of acne medicines is not working to cure acne in your case you must ask your doctor or dermatologist to replace the medication. However, you must follow the doctors instructions regarding the use and application of the medications. Most of the Acne medicines take almost 6 to 8 weeks to show positive results. - Acne is just a superficial infection
It is true that acne only affects the look and beauty of a person and it don’t have any physical threats associated with it. Still it is not only a superficial infection as it relates deeply to your hormone level and proper functioning of your body. In addition to your aesthetic beauty acne affects you psychologically as scars and blemish production may brings down the level of confidence and personal morale of a person. - Leave acne as it is to have it course completed
Some people are of the view that acne should not be treated, as they will automatically vanish after completing their course. The truth is that acne can be treated with proper medications and it is not advisable to leave acne and acne scars as they are.