Acne affects a lot of people and in their quest to clear their acne; they are misled by some myths that could later affect their skin in a terrible way. So in this piece we are going to learn about these myths and correct your misconceptions so as to help you get rid of your acne effectively.
Myth #1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene or dirt: That is wrong. According to dermatologists, acne is caused when the dead skin cells and the oil from your skin combine and cause the formation of plugged pores. So it has nothing to do with dirt, overwashing / overscrubbing will cause irritation of your skin and make your acne worse. It is okay however to wash your face or body at least 2-3 times a day, if you wash it more than that you can have dry, flaky skin that would cause the production of more oil. After washing you can then apply an appropriate acne treatment.
Myth #2: Acne is caused by diet: From a lot of researches that has been done, there as not been any connection found between diet and acne. However for me I don't believe those researches because I know that when I take foods that are high in fat/oil I get a new episode of acne. So I simply avoid those foods, whether there is evidence of the relationship between diet and acne or not. If you are like me that certain foods cause you to breakout, it is advisable you avoid such foods (even though it is hard to do so).
Myth #3: Make-up causes acne: Some make-up products cause acne breakout for some people because of some ingredients that are comedogenic. However if you purchase products that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic, oil-free i.e. water-based and hypoallergenic, you can enjoy your make-up without being afraid that you would breakout. It is however advisable that you avoid using make-up when exercising as sweat and the make-up can cause acne even if it is non-comedogenic/non-acnegenic make-up.
Myth #4: Sweating is good for your acne: Wrong! Even though exercise (which could make you sweat profusely) is good, it could lead to increased oil production which in combination with sweat, heat and friction can aggravate the production of acne. Swimming can be said to be the best form of exercise for acne sufferers, because in water perspiration, heat and friction are out of the picture.
Myth #5: Acne is caused by stress: Stress does not necessary cause acne but it can trigger flare-ups (as I discovered with my body). Stress causes the sebaceous glands to produce more oil which can cause acne. It is advisable to keep tabs on your personal reaction to stress and try to find time to relax and be happy. It is not only good for your skin but your whole body.
Myth #6: Acne is a cosmetic condition/disease: It is true that acne is not a serious threat to your physical health; it can however affect the emotional health of a person as it affects the way you look. It could cause low self-esteem or lack of confidence and can be a social status dropper. It is therefore important that you find an acne treatment that helps you in achieving clear skin.
Myth #7: Exposure to the sun helps acne: This is absolutely wrong, not only does exposure to the sun cause clogged pores, allows post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and macules to become darker; it could increase your chances of getting acne scars and skin cancer. Using sun protection products that are oil-free and have a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 for UVA and UVB rays would do tremendous wonders for your skin.
Myth #8: Too much sex can cause acne: I don't know who thought of that but it is so wrong. It is true that androgens contribute to the production of acne and initiate your sex drive; however your sexual habit has nothing to do with the production of acne.
Myth #9: Acne has to run its course: Acne can be cleared so you don't have sit back and watch your acne stay. If one acne treatment does not work for you, see a dermatologist to get another one because what may work for another person may not work for you. So don't give up hope yet.
Myth #10: Acne is curable: WRONG! However it is highly treatable. The best way to treat acne is to prevent it from appearing by sticking to an appropriate acne treatment. Your acne won't be cured but it would go away. So stick to your treatment even after your blemishes disappears, to prevent others from appearing. Hope you have learnt a thing or two that would help you in keeping your skin acne-free.
For more information on how to prevent acne, you could check out my blogs http://Beautyandhealthshop.blogspot.com or http://Beautyandhealth1.wordpress.com . Hope you enjoy all my postings.
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