subject: Acne - 5 Myths You May Believe [print this page] There are many myths about acneThere are many myths about acne. Old wives' tales people talk about as if they were scientific fact. In this article I hope to dispel some of these myths about acne and separate fact from fiction.
Myth 1: People with acne are dirty and have bad hygiene.
This is absolutely false. Even people with the best hygiene can and do get acne. Acne is not caused by poor hygiene but by hormonal imbalances in the body. Your body has glands, called the sebaceous glands, which produce an oily substance called sebum. The sebum keeps your skin waterproof and moist. When the sebaceous glands make too much sebum they block your hair follicles. This causes clogged pores, which becomes acne. Hygiene has nothing to do with it. If you scrub your skin too hard, it can make your acne worse. When you wash your face, do it gently and pat it dry.
Myth 2: If you eat the wrong kinds of foods it can cause acne.
There is no link between the foods you eat and your acne. The greasy fries, the chocolates, the pizzas, and any other fatty foods you may eat have absolutely no affect whatsoever on your skin. Even though they do not cause acne, you should still eat healthy foods whenever possible. Just for the sake of your overall health.
Myth 3: Stress can cause acne.
Another falsehood. The stress that most of us feel on a day to day basis will not cause you to get acne. Now, the drugs you take to treat your stress may have side-effects which might cause acne. Ask your doctor if your stress medication is what is causing your acne. If you already have acne, stress can make it worse. It just won't cause it.
Myth 4: Acne is a disease that is merely cosmetic.
It's true; acne does affect the way you look. Nevertheless, in some cases acne can cause permanent scarring which is not just cosmetic. Acne can affect you psychologically. It can cause you to have low self-esteem, and depression.
Myth 5: Acne cannot be cured.
With modern day technology (lasers) and the wide variety of acne treatments that we now have, there is no reason for you to suffer from acne. There are many over-the-counter, prescription, and holistic treatments available today. Consult your dermatologist.
