Acne myths have been around forever. Some acne myths live on as old wives tales and continue to persist, in spite of scientific evidence to the contrary. This article aims to address some of those acne myths and attempt to separate the fact from the fiction.
Myth #1: People who have acne are unclean and maintain poor hygiene.
This acne myth has no truth to it. Acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body. Acne occurs when the oil glands responsible for keeping your skin waterproof and moist, over react to produce excessive quantities of sebum. The excessive sebum blocks the associated hair follicle, causing clogged pores, which in turn, develops into acne.
So hygiene has absolutely nothing to do with it. In fact unnecessary scrubbing of the skin can exacerbate the problem. Proper skin care is very important – wash your face gently and pat dry.
Myth #2: Eating the wrong foods will lead to acne.
This acne myth is often used. However, there is no direct evidence between what you eat and acne. The chocolates, the French fries, the cheese pizza, and all those other fatty foods that have been lambasted over the years because of their unhealthy consequences, have no affect whatsoever on your skin. Eating a well balanced diet makes sense. So while you do not have to be concerned as to whether or not your favorite treat affects your skin (at least directly), do remember that it does affect your overall health.
Myth #3: Acne is caused by stress.
Most of the stress that affect us as part of our day-to-day lives does not lead to acne. Sometimes, acne can arise as the side-effect of drugs taken to treat severe stress. Talk to your doctor to find out if your stress medication is responsible for your acne. Stress can however make an already existing acne condition worse.
Myth #4: Acne is a merely a cosmetic disease.
While acne does affect the way you look, if left untreated, it can lead to permanent scarring. This acne scarring is much more than cosmetic and can cause much more severe problems if left untreated. Acne also affects people psychologically. It is known to affect their perception of themselves, their self-esteem and confidence and their interaction with others. It can cause feelings of frustration, depression and social embarrassment.
Myth #5: Acne can not be cured.
With the multitude of acne products on the market today, there is no reason why anyone should have to suffer the agony caused by acne. The fact is, acne can be cleared up with the right medication and a regime specific to your needs. Consult your dermatologist if you have acne.
