|
85% of the population all over the world
suffers from acne at some point or the other in their lives. And at
least 90% of these sufferers believe something, that is untrue about
acne. Seeing these statistics, don't you think that it has become
necessary to find out what exactly are the facts and what are the myths
about acne?
Myth #1: Junk food rich diet causes acne
Truth:
Scientists all over the world have proven again and again that your diet
has no connection whatsoever with the outbreak of acne. In fact, what
you eat is your personal decision. Yes, I agree that too much of junk
food is not healthy, but not because it causes acne, but because it is
not balanced. You need to have a balanced diet in order to maintain a
healthy body.
Myth #2: Poor hygiene
causes acne
Truth: Though 30% of acne sufferers believe that
acne is caused by poor hygiene, it is not true. What looks like dirt is
actually an open comedone or a blackhead. Blackheads are nothing but a
trapped mixture of sebum, bacteria and excessive oil. When this is
exposed to the air, it reacts with the melanin of the skin and turns
black. So, the tiny blackhead that you see on your face, is not dirt.
Myth#3:
Popping pimples will help get rid of acne
Truth: Popping that
swell will not help you get rid of acne. In fact, it might worsen your
situation. By popping a pimple or acne you will push the bacteria, that
causes the pimples, deeper down under the skin. It can also leave
permanent scars on your face.
Myth#4:
Acne is a result of stress
Truth: Do you see every distressed
person suffering from an outbreak of acne? No? So do you still think
that acne is a result of stress? Yes, you are thinking right. Acne is
not the result of stress. If you are taking any medications for stress,
then you might experience an outbreak of acne as a side effect of those
medications. But stress does not directly lead to acne.
Myth#5: Tanning would help cure acne
Truth:
Tanning does not help cure acne. When you get tanned, your skin becomes
dark. This reduces the visibility of acne. And because you can see less
of that painfully horrid acne, you feel that you are being cured. In
fact, excessive exposure to sun can cause wrinkles and premature ageing.
It also increases the chances of developing skin cancer later in life.
Myth#6: Acne is contagious
Truth: Acne is in no
way contagious. You will not get acne if you hug, kiss or sleep with a
person who has acne. Neither will you get acne if you share your things
with such a person. So stop outcasting all those people who have acne.
You just might be the next one to develop it.
Myth#7:
Scrubbing and washing the skin will clear acne
Truth: Stop
believing that washing your face again and again would rid you of your
acne. Actually such an action would worsen your condition. Excessive
scrubbing with over the counter exfoliants, containing apricot pits or
walnut shells, will tear and irritate the skin. This increases the
chances of infection and ultimately more breakouts. On the other hand,
alcohol based toners will remove the necessary oils from your skin and
force it to produce even more oil.
Myth#8: Sweating
would clean your pores
Truth: If the sole reason for you to
have started exercising vigorously is to sweat out the dirt from your
pores then stop immediately! Strenuous exercising would stimulate oil
production. This oil would mix with the sweat, heat and the bacteria
present on your skin to cause acne breakouts all over your body.
Myth#9: Acne has to 'run its course'
Truth: This
is not true. Acne is not a virus causing flu that has to run its course.
Acne has to be cleared out. With such a variety of medications available
on the shelfs, why do you want acne to run its course and torture
yourself? You need to treat it.
Myth#10:
Acne does not need medical help
Truth: Almost 70 % acne
sufferers wait for a year before they seek medical help. This is not the
right approach. The sooner you take action against acne, the sooner you
will have a clear face. So, do not wait for it to go on its own, seek
medical help immediately!
Myth#11: Acne
is caused because of application of cosmetics
Truth: This
again is not the truth. Today, noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic cosmetics
are easily available in the market. Such products do not plug your pores
and some of them also contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which
help in fighting acne. There is no harm in using these products in
moderation.
Myth#12: Over the counter
treatments work against acne
Truth: Over the counter (OTC)
treatments can only help in controlling mild acne. If you are suffering
from moderate to severe acne then you need to seek medical help.
Myth#13:
Excessive medication will help cure acne
Truth: Excessive
medication will not help cure acne. Medicines leave your skin dry. This
dryness stimulates oil production. And this excessive oil production
leads to plugging of the pores causing acne.
Myth#14:
Antibiotics decrease the effect of oral contraceptives
Truth:
It is commonly believed that if you take oral antibiotics and oral
contraceptives, you will have to face an increased chance of pregnancy,
as antibiotics decrease the effect of oral contraceptives. A large
number of studies have shown that there is no increased chance of
pregnancy if you take a combination of oral contraceptives and
antibiotics.
Myth#15: Acne can be
cured
Truth: Acne cannot be cured, it can only be treated.
Even if your blemishes, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, nodules,
papules, etc. go away, do not believe that your acne has been cured. If
you do not take good care of your skin, they can reappear any time.
Myth#16: Acne is caused by too much sex
Truth: I
agree that the androgens produced during puberty contribute to your sex
drive. And it is these androgens that are responsible for causing acne,
but the amount of sex you have has no correlation, direct or indirect,
with your outbreaks of acne.
So, now you know what are the facts
and what are the myths about acne. Knowing the truth about acne was
important because though you cannot control your acne, knowing what
causes acne can definitely help you in choosing the right medication for
yourself. After all, it is your best face that you need to put forward!
|
