Common Acne Myths

Despite the many legitimate sources of information about acne which are available today, numerous myths and urban legends persist and are passed on by word-of-mouth to those who suffer from the disorder. These myths very often compound the problems with ill-advised treatments that have no positive effect and might even cause further damage in the case of severe acne.

Considering the influence these myths can have on understanding acne and the courses of treatment, it is wise to do a quick overview of some of the more common acne myths, and dispel the misinformation.

•   Myth: Acne occurs because of poor hygiene

Regardless of how often and how ritually you scrub your face and other areas that have acne; it has no bearing on the current breakout of acne or the creation of new acne problems. In actual fact this kind of rigorous washing and scrubbing can irritate skin and make the acne worse, not better. Even though you may have heard the hygiene myth from well-meaning parents when growing up, acne is not caused by poor hygiene. Of course good hygiene is still important but it’s generally recommended one wash their face two or three times a day with mild soap and gently pat it dry.

•   Myth: Acne breakouts are caused by diet

“Eating chocolate will give you pimples!” “They claim that eating greasy foods can give you zits.” Most of us have heard these and similar statements many times before. What they are saying is things you eat can cause acne. But this simply isn’t true. It is a myth, actually one of the more popular myths about the causes of acne. Much scientific research has been conducted looking for correlations between one’s diet and a cause for acne, and no conclusive link has ever been found.

Do note however, each of us is different. Some people do notice their breakouts can be worse after eating certain foods. The kinds of food differ with each person.

•   Myth: Stress can cause acne

Stress does not directly cause acne. Some types of stress however can cause the hormone cortisol to be produced in the body. Cortisol can irritate existing acne. It is also worth noting that medications taken to control depression and extreme stress can cause acne as a side affect. Indeed, some medicines do have acne listed as a potential side effect.

•   Myth: Acne usually will go away on its own

This has not proven to be true and acne normally needs treatment to clear up. A selection of acne treatment products are available today and it’s worth doing some investigation to find what works best for the individual concerned. In more severe cases a dermatologist can be consulted and other forms of treatment can be pursued.

Many cases of acne can be cleared with available non-prescription treatments. Different people seem to report different levels of success using various acne treatments. Individuals need to find what works best for them.

•   Myth: Tanning clears acne

In reality, this can have the reverse effect. At first it may appear that the latest session in a tanning bed or sunbathing has improved your complexion, but in reality the tan might only have masked or covered the acne. Indeed, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated which can lead to more acne breakouts. if you do tan, it is wise to use a sunscreen that doesn’t contain oils and other chemicals that can clog your pores and make acne get worse.

•   Myth: Popping Pimples Makes Them Go Away Faster

Again, although this seems to be true, it is just another myth. Instead of speeding the healing process, this action can actually prolongs the situation as popping the whitehead might cause the bacteria inside to be pushed deeper into the skin. This can allow more infection to grow, and ultimately leads to scarring.

•   Myth: Only Teenagers get acne

In fact about 25-30 percent of all people between the ages 25- 44 get some form of acne. So the suggestion that acne is only a problem for teens is just another myth.

Back to Top