Debates on Acne – 5 Acne Myths Vs. Acne Facts

Acne does not choose, it affects almost everyone and if you suffer from acne, like the millions of others, you've probably received a lot of advice about its preventions, as well as its causes. A lot of them are just old wives' tales and has no scientific evidence to prove them.

Myth 1: Acne Is Caused By Poor Hygiene

Fact: Acne is not due to lack of hygiene, it is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Although proper cleansing prevents it, poor hygiene is not its root cause. It is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit or hair follicle. When dead skin cell, excess oil, and bacteria are caught within the follicle it creates impaction. If the follicle wall ruptures, then inflammation occurs and pimple is produced. Acne is not developed due to lack of cleansing and frequent cleansing won't heal acne. In fact, vigorous washing and scrubbing can irritate skin and exacerbate acne.

Myth 2: Acne Is Caused By Diet

Fact: Thorough scientific studies dating as far back as 1960's have not obtained a link between diet and acne. Thus, food does not cause acne. Not chocolate or French fries or pizza or any junk food. Even large amounts of these food types will not worsen acne since the fat present in these foods do not get assimilated to the fats within the oil glands. If acne is being dealt properly with medications there is no need to worry about food causing acne.

Myth 3: Savvy Sun Worshipping Eliminates Acne

Fact: Although it's true that small amount of sun may improve acne condition at the beginning, don't be deceived, this is temporary. Consistent sun exposure will damage your skin, it causes your skin to dry, making your oil producing glands to create more oil. Too much sun could furthermore burn your skin and even put you at risk for skin cancer. So if you need to be out in the sun, never forget to apply sunscreen.

Myth 4: Stress Causes Acne

Fact: Sometimes. A long debate about stress causing acne has been in health circles. Recent studies has now proved that acne gets worst in times of stress because of the fact that the human body releases a chemical called CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone) responsible for making extreme amounts of energy for the brain to deal with stress. An emotional agitation can cause the body to produce unreasonable amount of these chemicals. As this hormone produces energy it also triggers the oil glands of the skin to create more oil thus leading to skin pores getting blocked. This combined with bacteria and dead skin cells results to acne.

Myth 5: You Just Have To Let Acne Run Its Course; You'll One Day Outgrow It

Fact: Acne strikes all ages whether teen or adult and it can be cleared up. If it would be left alone it could possibly worsen. With a wide array of products and therapies available today and with the availability of a dermatologist there is no reason why someone has to bear acne and its scars.

Now that you know the truth from the myth about acne, you can make the right decisions and break free from those breakouts.