Acne – myths and misconceptions

#6 – Certain foods cause acne
Although there is little research to prove that certain foods cause acne, some people find that certain foods do cause their acne to become worse. Greasy and fries foods should be kept to a minimum in everyone’s diet no matter what their skin type is. Don’t avoid all fats though as the body needs some good fats such as flaxseed and olive oil keep healthy and these will not make our skin worse. If you suspect a food – stop eating it for 3-4 weeks and then reintroduce it to the diet and see the effect.

#7 – Acne is improved by sunlight
Sunlight may have some effect on drying out the pimples you already have but it does not specifically help acne nor does it prevent you from getting acne. The damage caused by sun exposure will only further damage your skin. Be aware too, that if you are using oral or topical medication from the doctor such as a cream with a retinoid in it , it may make your skin super sensitive to the sun.

#8 – Squeezing pimples makes them go more quickly
It is very tempting to squeeze pimples to get rid of the unsightly head but it really doesn’t help the acne to clear faster. If you absolutely have to do this, wait until the pimple is close to popping itself as possible and use sterilised instruments and putting pressure on either side of the pimple.. Trying to force them and can cause scarring

#9 – Stress makes acne worse
There is evidence to suggest that acne can be made worse or a flare up can happen at times of stress such as exams or relationship breakups. Stress does not cause acne to start though. Sometimes drugs can cause acne as a side effect – see your doctor if you suspect this.

#10- Acne is a skin problem
It is true acne affects the skin but it also has an effect on the person suffering from it as a whole. Bad skin and scarring can cause people to not feel so good about themselves resulting in depression and self esteem issues. Seek help from a professional if you are struggling with these issues – you don’t have to do it alone.

Here we explore some common misunderstandings about the causes and treatment of acne.

Acne – myths and the misconceptions

#1 – Acne is caused by dirty skin
Acne is not caused by dirty skin or people not washing their skin often enough. In ffcat the reverse can be true where acne is made worse and the inflammation worse by constant cleaning and scrubbing. Not only does this irritate the skin and make the inflammation worse, it can aggravate the acne. Our skins will only produce more oil if the natural oils are stripped away. We cannot affect the causes of acne that happen well below the surface of the skin in the oil glands.

#2 – Using makeup will make acne worse
Partly true – there are m any skin care products and cosmetics that have ingredients that can aggravate acne. Look for skin care products and cosmetics that are non-comodegenic. This means that they are formulated not to block the pores of the skin.

#3 – Acne comes from sexual activity
This myth probably came about as teenagers are the biggest age group to suffer from acne  at a time of puberty, sexual maturation and sexual exploration. The hormonal changes that you experience at the time of puberty can contribute to breakouts of acne – but have nothing to do with sexual activity.

#4 – Removing oil from the skin will reduce acne
Washing excessively or with soap and detergents can actually increase oil production. A gentle yet effective cleanser will remove dirt and oil from the skin but will not strip all the oils and thus cause the sebum glands to produce more. Try blotting excess oil during the day with a tissue instead of washing your face.

#5 – Only teenagers get acne
Teenagers commonly get acne but in theory you can  get acne at any age, even some unlucky  babies. If you have acne you don’t suffer alone, about 25% of all people between the ages 25-45 are estimated to suffer from some form of acne at some time.  Adult acne is not uncommon and often experienced by women with fluctuating hormones.