Myths About Acne

Just as acne has been around for countless generations, so have widely held beliefs proliferated regarding its causes and the factors that aggravate this most stubborn of skin conditions.  Though extensive research has, over the years, ruled out many objects or practices as either contributing to the onset of acne or its prevention, most of us still cling to these myths.  The time has come, however, to at last examine these flawed convictions, and realize, however sadly, that in the case of acne, mother didn’t always know best.  

Stress Causes Acne – we are quick to blame stress for those unfortunate acne outbreaks that we suffer, especially as young adults, but the truth is that stress does not actually play a significant role in acne formation.  Stress does increase the production of the chemical known as cortisol, which in turn makes your skin produce more oil, but increased skin oil volume does not by itself raise the incidence of acne, unless the overflow is rather substantial. 

Dirt Causes Acne – the presence of dirt on one’s skin is thought to clog one’s pores, causing acne, but this is an erroneous assumption.  As the first line of defense against germs, skin is supposed to withstand even copious accumulations of dirt, so acne and an inadequate personal hygiene regimen do not necessarily go hand in hand.  In fact, excess scrubbing and washing can damage the skin, making acne worse.

Fried or Oily Foods Cause Acne – another popular myth is that piling up on oily and fried foods somehow makes the oil seep through your skin, thereby leading to acne production.  This is a pretty ridiculous notion.  In the first place, the waste elements of items you consume are excreted through your digestive system, not carried out through your skin.  Even if this were the case, the presence of oil on the skin does not automatically lead to an acne attack.

Teenagers Should Leave Their Acne Alone, As They Will Just Outgrow It – while it is true that acne first surfaces during the adolescent years, and may be related to the surge of hormones during this period, all cases of acne should be managed as soon as possible.  Left untreated, acne can cause severe scarring, which certainly won’t go away as one gets older.  Moreover, it should be noted that acne is a condition suffered also by adults, even into their later years.

Acne Can Be Cured – there is no permanent cure for acne, which can and does resurface regularly throughout one’s life.  There are plenty of effective treatments that either suppress acne or help eliminate it temporarily, however, and these are readily available in price points that suit all budgets.

The Sun Can Wipe Out Acne – actually, long-term exposure to the sun, aside from causing skin cancer and other conditions, is terrible for acne.  Sun-damaged skin sheds skin cells at a faster rate, causing the clogging of more pores, which in turn boosts acne breakouts.

Moisturizers and Makeup Cause Acne – as with dirt, the presence of a covering layer on one’s skin does not necessarily mean that acne will soon follow.  In fact, many cosmetic companies now manufacture noncomedogenic products, which are specially formulated not to clog pores.

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