What are some common myths about acne?

Here are some common acne “myths” I run across in my office:

• “I wash my face all the time- but I just can’t get rid of this acne!”

Washing our face twice a day is reasonable, but washing much more than this may dry out and irritate skin. More oil may result- it’s our skin’s way of trying to lock in moisture. More oil production can block pores. Acne starts with a blocked pore.

• “I’ve got acne…and I’m not even eating chocolate!”

There’s no proof that certain foods cause acne. However, if you do find you have a “trigger food”, it’s best that you avoid it.

• “I need to dry out my skin to get rid of this acne!”

Just like when skin is “overwashed”, skin that gets “dried out” may make more oil to retain moisture, and therefore more acne.

• “This new acne cream I bought isn’t working- it’s been five days, and it looks worse!”

When you start a new acne skin care regimen, skin may actually get worse for the first few weeks. Often, acne prone skin responds to a new stressor by creating more acne.

• “I’ve had an acne problem for years…but now I need it gone next week!”

I always tell patients that acne is a disease that is treated over time, not just once and forever. If it’s been there for years, it’s going to take several months to get acne under control.

Remember- It’s Your Face! For best results, seek out a medical doctor experienced in comprehensive acne care.

The biggest myth about acne in our practice is that it is related to diet. There is no conclusive studies that show that acne is related in any way to diet.

There are a number of misconceptions about acne. One of the misconceptions is that acne is caused by dirt or not washing the face. Although inadequate washing can certainly aggravate acne, more often than not acne sufferers wash their faces thoroughly. In fact, over-washing or over-enthusiastic washing can irritate skin and worsen acne.

Probably, the most common acne myth is that acne is always associated with one skin type, thick, olive, oily skin. Many people with acne have sensitive, thin or fair skin.

So many products on the market treat acne with harsh ingredients, which can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function and cause more inflammation, initiating a vicious cycle of skin eruptions. Skin with acne should always be treated like sensitive skin to prevent further complications.