Debunking Acne Myths

DEBUNKING MYTHS AGNE Lots of kids and teens have to cope with acne. It's a common part of puberty. but adults and preteens get it too. Because it's so common. acne is the subject of much discussion- and many myths. MYTH Getting a Tan Helps Clear Up Skin. FACT Even though a tan may temporarily cover the redness of acne, there's no evidence that having tanned skin helps to clear up acne. SPF 30 OR HIGHER People who tan in the sun or in tanning booths run the risk of developing dry. irritated, or even burned skin. They're also at increased risk of OR "NONACNEGENIC: premature aging and developing skin cancer. You should also wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (or SPF) of at least 30 that's labeled "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic." which means the product won't clog pores. SPF "NONCOMEDOGENIC MYTH Washing Your Face Often Prevents Breakouts. FACT Hygiene isn't related to the development of acne, either. Washing the face each day gets rid of dead skin cells, surface oil, and surface dirt, but too much cleansing or washing too vigorously can lead to dryness and irritation- which can actually make acne worse. DEAD SURFACE SKIN CELLS SURFACE OIL DIRT Stress causes acne MYTH Stress can affect hormones and can theoretically promote acne. However. an effective acne treatment regimen is more powerful than a bout of stress any day. Some psychiatric medications, notably Lithium, which is often prescribed for bipolar disorder, may have acne as a side effect but stress itself is no big deal. Your time is better spent determining the right course of acne treatment rather than feeling guilt about stress. REALITY MYTH Popping Pimples Makes Them Go Away Faster. FACT Though popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily. popping can cause the zit to stay around longer. Popping a pimple pushes bacteria from the zit further into the skin, making the area around the acne even more reddened and inflamed. Pimple-popping devices- such as "blackhead extractors" advertised in magazines- aren't any safer. Sometimes, popping a pimple will cause a 00 brown or red mark to form that could last months. Scars. in the form of dents and pits, can last forever. MYTH For Clear Skin, Don't Wear Makeup or Shave. FACT You don't have to forego cosmetics as long the products used are labeled noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic, which means they won't cause breakouts. Some concealers now contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which help to fight acne. Tinted acne-fighting creams may also help to fight pimples while hiding them. BENZOYL PEROXIDE OR SALICYLIC ACID 50% Only teens get acne MYTH of adult men Acne can occur at any age but it's mostly seen in teens and adults. So REALITY many adults now experience acne that some dermatologists refer to it as an "adult acne epidemic." Exactly why this occurs is unknown but 50% of adult men and 25% of adult women now experience adult acne at some point.The good news is that it is treated the same way in an adult as in a teen. 25% of adult women MYTH Use More Acne Medication to Prevent Breakouts. FACT When it comes to over-the-counter acne medication containing active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, more isn't better. BENZOYL PEROXIDE Using too much medication can actually worsen acne because it leads to dryness, OR SALICYLIC ACID irritation, and more blemishes. Sources: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/acne_myths.html# http://www.acne.org/myths.html http://www.medicalnewstod ay.com/releases/35502.php http://www.newbeauty.com/hottopic/blogpost/7174-could-dht-be-the-cause-of-your-acne/ |CLEAROGEN