Acne can seem like an impossible challenge to manage.  Whether or not you’re a teenager or adult, there are proven ways that you can treat this common skin problem called acne.

Quiz Tip #1 – How Often to Wash Your Face

The answer to this question is twice per day, do not over-wash.  To wash your face, use warm water and a little mild soap.  Massage your face gently using circular motions.  Make sure that you do not scrub your face as this can irritate the skin.

After thoroughly washing your face, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that you apply lotion containing benzoyl peroxide, which can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy.

Remember, if you’re concerned about your acne, talk to a dermatologist.

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.

Recent scientific findings are changing the way we think about and treat acne. Never-the-less, there are still many acne myths that continue to circulate and endure. This article will try to clear up some of the misunderstandings about acne.

Myth #1: Acne only affects appearance.

Acne can affect much more than just your appearance. Acne, whether mild or severe, can lead to low self-image as well as a sense of depression. Sometimes individuals with severe acne tend to go through social withdrawal.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.

Lack of cleanliness should not be associated with acne outbreaks. While skin infections are associated with acne, it’s the combination of oil and dead skin cells that produce the acne. Since acne is located beneath the skin’s surface, it’s impossible to just clean away.

You should gently cleanse your skin with soap and warm water once or twice daily to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Scrubbing too hard can actually worsen the acne.

Myth #3: Acne is caused by specific foods.

The first food that may come to your mind is chocolate! Chocolate has long had a reputation to be a pimple producer. However, studies have shown that there is no scientific evidence that this is true. The same holds true for other foods such as, potato chips and sugar.

Some foods, however, can “aggravate” (not cause) your acne condition. Milk and foods high in iodine, such as seafood, can aggravate your acne.

Myth #4: Acne has to run its course.

With the medications that are available either over-the-counter or by prescription, there is no need to wait for acne to run its course. See your dermatologist to determine the best course of action for your type of acne.

Myth #5: The more acne medicine the better.

Excess, is not always better. Medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. Too much acne ointments may just irritate the skin even further. Always consult your dermatologist for dosages to use.

Myth #6: Sunbathing is good for acne.

While exposure to sun does dry out excess oil in your skin, this will only give you short-term improvement in your acne. In the long run, your skin adapts and the acne is unfazed by your drying attempts. Plus, there is strong scientific evidence that too much sun exposure can damage your skin and put you at a higher risk for some types of skin cancers.

Myth #7: Makeup causes acne.

There are some makeup products on the market that can clog the pores in your skin, which is bad for your overall skin health. Cosmetics that are labeled “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic” are safe to use. Some brands are made with ingredients that actually treat acne.

Myth #8: Acne is only a teenage condition.

Acne is NOT just a teenage condition! While most teens do go through some periods of acne breakout, so do many adults. Typically, acne generally clears up by the early 20′s. However, some people experience acne well into their 40′s, and for the most unfortunate of all, some people endure acne flare-ups their entire lives.

Myth #9: Acne is related to sex.

Most of us have heard this myth at one point, celibacy or too much sex causes pimples. There is no evidence for this. There is a link between sexual activity and hormone production, but the relationship between sex and the production of sebum (the oily substance which combines with dead skin cells to cause acne) is not known. Stress and anger also affect hormone levels.

Myth #10: Popping pimples is the best way to get rid of them.

No. Popping pimples may actually worsen the acne by spreading the bacteria that is causing the acne around to other parts of the body. Popping can also lead to eventual scarring, which in severe cases, can be permanent.