Acne Myths & Facts
*) Acne affects teenage boys at a higher rate than girls because of the production of the male hormone androgen, although androgens are present in both males and females. However, these figures even out in adulthood.
*) Androgen production is highest in the teenage years but is continuously produced in the body. When hormone production regulates, skin clears up. But for others, acne is a lifelong battle.
*) Acne is not caused by your diet, scientific studies have confirmed this. No specific food has been proven to worsen acne. No diet has been shown to be beneficial. Eating pizza, chocolate, potato chips or fries will not result in an acne breakout. If you find that certain foods affect your skin negatively, which may turn out to be a food allergy, avoid them.
*) Acne is not caused by poor hygiene such as dirt or surface oil on the body.
*) Cleaning skin too often by scrubbing hard with abrasive soaps, cleansing granules, astringents, or a buff puff can actually make your acne worse. Using your fingertips or a soft wash cloth is best. "Gently" wash your face twice a day with a mild soap, and lukewarm water (not very hot or very cold), pat dry, and use an appropriate acne treatment for the acne. Don't over scrub.
*) Most dermatologists agree that cosmetics, wearing makeup, even oil based products, do not "cause" or "worsen" acne.
An opposing statement to that:
Question: What kind of cosmetics and cleansers can an acne patient use?
Answer: Look for non-comedogenic cosmetics and toiletries. These products have been formulated so that they will not cause acne. Some acne medications cause irritation or pronounced dryness particularly during the early weeks of therapy, and some cosmetics and cleansers can actually worsen this effect.
The choice of cosmetics and cleansers should be made with your dermatologist or pharmacist. Heavy foundation makeup should be avoided. Most people with acne should select powder blushes and eye shadow over cream products because they are less irritating and non-comedogenic. Camouflaging techniques can be used effectively by applying a green undercover cosmetic over red acne lesions to promote color blending.
*) You know what's best for you and what works for you and what doesn't. If you know certain foods don't agree with you, don't eat them. If (for the gals) a certain make-up causes you break outs, don't use it. Also, some products and medications that work for one person may not work for the other person. And remember that "more" of something isn't always better. Example:
- Putting "extra" other than the normal amount of acne medications on your face could dry the area out even more and cause red, cracking, scalely and irritation to the skin. You not only have to wait for the pimple to go away, now you have to wait for the added irritation to go away.
- Taking too much of a vitamin in mega doses or taking "more" of the prescription medication recommended by your doctor could be dangerous to your health. You may think that you have no side effects from it now, but sometimes it takes "years" to see the long term side effects.
*) Acne medication can take at least eight weeks of a prescribed treatment regimen for the patient to see any improvement. Acne may even get worse before it gets better.
*) Picking at acne will not make it go away, this may cause scarring. Do not pick at acne lesions.
*) Stress alone does not cause acne, but research suggests that for people who have acne, stress can make it worse. Acne is caused by overactive oil glands stimulated by androgens mixing with dead skin cells. This is particularly true during the teenage years when androgen production is at its highest.