I never had a problem with acne during my teenage years. Surprisingly, though, at 25, I am getting frequent bouts of those nasty things. It could be because I am getting less sleep; or perhaps because I sometimes sneak in junk food while I work at night… but are these really the culprit?
8 Myths About Acne
MYTH #1: Acne are red spots on the face.
This is partially true because there are different kinds of acne – not just the red spots that we know. There are pimples, cysts, nodules and blocked pores, non-inflammatory, inflammatory, mild, moderate, severe, etc. And, aside from the face, acne can also be found on the shoulders, body, and torso.
MYTH #2: Eating unhealthy food will cause acne.
When I was a teen, I was told that eating chocolates and peanuts can cause acne. While I do believe that too much unhealthy food in our system can have negative effects on the body, these are not the chief villain. David Bank, a dermatologist in New York, said: “So far, no studies have shown a direct correlation between junk food and breakouts or acne.” If it’s not junk food, then what causes acne? Bacteria!
MYTH #3: Acne is infectious!
Let’s be honest, acne can be a bit gross, but know that it is something that you pass on to your friends. 😀 Dr. Mia Leuenberger, Fellow of Philippine Dermatological Society, explains that acne is an inflammatory disorder that is not infectious nor contagious. It is actually a hereditary disorder so if your parents are prone to acne, then you better start doing preventive measures!
MYTH #4: Acne is just a physical problem.
Not really because scarring is more than superficial. While it is a physical problem, the more serious effects of acne are despair and a lower self confidence.
MYTH #5: Let acne run its course…
Ever heard an elder say, “Hayaan mo lang yan mahinog?” Dermatologists, however, say that this is not a very good idea because letting it burst and rapture on the inside kick starts scar formation. Instead of letting acne come and go, consult a dermatologist about deep cleansing.
MYTH #6: Get rid of acne- Pop those pimples!
Don’t ever, ever, ever do this! When you squeeze your pimples and zits, you push bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells deeper into the skin, which causes more swelling and redness. Imagine ha, in your hope to make a pimple go away, you’re actually making it bigger when you pop it. When this happens, you are most likely to cause bigger and deeper scars – and you don’t want that.
So, you can’t let acne run its course and you can’t pop it. What, then, should you do? Like I said, consult a dermatologist for deep cleansing. You may also want to use an anti-bacterial soap like Safeguard Derma Sense.
MYTH #7: Blame stress for your acne!
Stress doesn’t cause acne, but it does signal your body to produce hormones that stimulate oil-producing glands to work over time. And when you have oily skin, you are more likely to have acne. So the next time you’re feeling stressed, slow down a bit and relax!
MYTH #8: Washing your face more often will prevent acne.
Sure, a clean face means less acne – but too much washing will cause dryness and irritation. When your skin gets irritated, you are more likely to have breakouts. The best washing frequency is twice a day and you have to use a gentle soap. I would also recommend applying a moisturizer and sun block.
There you have it! 8 myths about acne, debunked! What do you do to prevent or treat acne? Share your tips in the comments section below!
This post is brought to you by Safeguard Philippines.