Myth: Acne is a teenage ailment and will no longer be a problem when you reach adulthood.
True, it is usually associated with teenagers but many adults too suffer from acne, though the harshness may vary. Individuals over the age of 50 years rarely get acne. Five percent of women of the age of 40 years have acne, whilst in men it is only around 1 percent. It is estimated that about 75 percent of teenagers suffer from acne. Acne is said to be attributed to hereditary factors combined with many other factors.
Myth: Dirty skin or poor hygiene causes acne.
This is not true, however keeping the skin clean by gently washing and patting dry instead of rubbing dry as against vigorously scrubbing the skin when washing, would prevent the skin being infected by bacteria that give rise to acne.
Myth: Chocolates, fatty foods, pizza, fried foods and Coca-cola in the diet cause acne.
Scientific studies have shown that this is not the case. However consuming these, above-mentioned foods in moderation and eating a well balanced diet would be a healthier option. If, however you feel that eating a particular food/foods have an adverse effect on your acne, it is recommended that you avoid consuming these particular foods as they may be causing some allergic reactions. It has been found that foods with a high content of Iodine may aggravate the acne condition.
Myth: Stress causes acne.
Stress directly does not cause acne. However, stress could make the acne condition worse. Having acne as it is can be stressful for most and some medications used as a result of the treatment of stress may give rise to acne.
Myth: Sunbathing will help fight acne or improve the condition.
Sunbathing, instead of improving the condition could lead to other complications such as skin cancer, as sun exposure is the common cause for skin cancer and wrinkles.
Myth: Acne should be allowed to run its course.
This should not be the case today with the availability of so much knowledge and advanced treatment. Acne can be cleared up with the many products available today. However, if you have tried acne products and they have failed, then it is time you consulted your dermatologist.
Myth: Acne is caused by oily skin.
An oily skin could merely be a symptom of acne and not a cause. Generally, a person with acne has an oily skin, but is definitely not the cause of acne.
Myth: Acne is curable.
Though acne cannot be cured, it can be treated successfully to some extent.
Myth: You should not wear makeup if you have acne:
Not true. Make up does not cause nor does it aggravate the existing condition.
Myth: Acne can be caught by coming into contact with someone who already has it.
Totally false. Acne is not contagious
Myth: Having sex can give you acne.
This too is totally false. Even though testosterone, the sex hormone, is one of the major causes of acne, having sex definitely is not the cause of acne.
Myth: Scarring due to acne has no treatment.
Today, thanks to modern technology, one does not have to suffer with ugly scars for the rest of ones life. One can limit acne scarring by ensuring that it is treated as soon as it first begins to make an appearance.
Myth: The stronger the medicine used for acne treatment the better.
Generally, Benzoyl Peroxide is the widely prescribed medication for acne. A 2.5 percent of the medication is recommended as against a 5 to 10 percent of it. The 2.5 percent is found to be highly effective as well as gentle on the skin as against the 10 percent of it as it is harsh and it can dry out the skin and it also costs more money. Therefore if you a using a 2.5 percent Benzoyl Peroxide and it is working effectively, increasing the strength will not make it work better.
Myth: You can stop using your acne medication if it has all cleared up.
This is not recommended, as, if you stop your medication on your own too soon, it may cause your acne to come up again. Therefore, it is recommended you consult your dermatologist first before you take this action.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Acne | |
