Acne Myths
Acne is the most widespread skin condition in the world - yet there are still a lot of misconceptions about what causes acne and the best ways to treat it. These myths about acne are often passed on from friends or family members and reinforced by advertising so they can often become taken as ‘fact’.
For people who suffer from acne, these myths can actually lead them to ‘do the wrong thing’ by their skin by using inappropriate treatments that can make their condition even worse.
How many of these common acne myths did you think were ‘true’?
Acne is caused by dirt
Acne is caused by a number of factors - but dirt isn't one of them. Pimples form when dead skin cells mix with your body's natural oil, forming a plug in your pores. Dirt plays no part in the process, so frequent washing of your face or body (more than twice a day) won’t improve or help prevent acne. In fact, over washing or stripping your skin with alcohol-based products can actually make blemishes worse.
Scrubbing and toning the skin stops acne
Alcohol-based toners can strip the skin of essential oils, leaving it dry and irritated — and causing your skin to over-compensate by producing excess oil which can lead to more breakouts.
Abrasive over-the-counter exfoliants containing apricot pits or walnut shells can irritate or even tear the skin, which makes infection and further acne breakouts more likely.
For the best results, you should use a gentle medicated scrub and a mild alcohol-free toner.
Treating pimples individually can clear acne
Since pimples take 2-3 weeks to develop, spot pimple treatments are less effective because they simply treat a late-stage symptom of the problem rather than treating the problem itself.
The best way to treat acne is to help stop pimples from forming in the first place - which means treating the whole face or problem area every day, even when you aren't experiencing visible breakouts.
Acne is for teenagers
Unfortunately, acne can strike at any age. Over 85% of all people between 12-24 have acne. Acne can also start as late as the 20s or 30s, especially in women, whose hormones are constantly fluctuating.
It's estimated that one in four adults between the ages of 25 and 44 experience acne, and nearly half of all adult women experience mild to moderate acne.
Leave your acne alone - you’ll grow out of it
This myth is damaging in more ways than one. It can encourage teenagers to “ride out” their acne instead of seeking treatment. It can also can cause further alienation in adults who suffer from acne as they may feel too embarrassed to seek treatment.
The truth is, acne can strike at any age and while acne is treatable, the course and duration of treatment differ greatly for each person. Untreated acne can leave permanent physical and emotional scars. No matter how old you are, it's important to start treating acne breakouts early - the best way to treat acne is to prevent it from appearing in the first place.
Acne is just a cosmetic condition - it's no big deal
Sure, acne does affect the way people look — it’s not a serious threat to a person’s physical health. But acne can also affect the way you feel about yourself and the world around you, causing low self-esteem and social withdrawal. Don’t let anyone discourage you from seeking out treatment or make you feel vain or superficial for wanting to get rid of your acne because it’s 'not a big deal’.
Certain foods cause acne
No, those french fries you had yesterday didn't cause today’s new breakout. In fact, scientists have been unable to find ANY real connection between diet and acne. All the foods you've been too scared to eat - pizza, french fries, chocolate - are not going to trigger acne so don't be afraid to indulge every now and then as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Sun exposure helps acne
Wrong! While small amounts of sun can initially improve acne, ongoing sun exposure can increase plugging of the pores - producing comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and small pimples.
What’s more, acne’s unsightly after effects, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and macules, will actually get darker if you spend time in the sun. Over time, sun exposure damages the skin and increases the likelihood that your acne will leave permanent scars too.
Of course sun exposure also dramatically increases your chances of developing some form of skin cancer, so ultimately, the risks of sun exposure greatly outweigh the few benefits.
Acne has a cure
Not yet...but don't lose hope. Acne can be treated and controlled with continued daily use of effective products, like Proactiv Solution, which contain the powerful acne-treating ingredient Benzoyl peroxide. It’s also important to remember, even if your pimples go away, it doesn’t mean your acne is cured. It's important to be consistent with your treatment plan, even after your skin is clear, to prevent new outbreaks from appearing.