What Really Causes Acne? 5 Common Myths

Many myths persist today about what causes acne despite a lack of scientific evidence to support those myths.

By understanding what is causing your acne, you can take effective measures to treat it and keep it under control. Even though doctors are still not exactly sure what causes acne and why some people are not affected, there is more knowlegde and treatment options available today than in the past.

Here are 5 common myths about what causes acne:

Myth #1: Acne is caused by not keeping your skin clean.

Antiobiotics are used to clear acne because they kill the bacteria in the skin that contributes to breakouts, but this does not mean acne is caused by a lack of cleanliness. Excess oil and dead skin cells clog pores and the bacteria in the skin all cause pimples, but it's not neccessary to clean your skin too often. Washing your face too often or using harsh, abrasive cleansers can aggravate acne and dry out your skin.

Myth #2: Chocolate and fried foods causes breakout.

Chocolate has long been blamed for causing acne, along with pizza, soda and french fries; yet studies have shown no scientific evidence that this is true. The myth that chocolate and fast food are what causes acne may persist because many teens have acne and these are also favorite foods for teenagers. While no particular food can be blamed for causing acne, some people may find they react to certain foods and can try avoiding them to see if there is an improvement in their acne.

You acne is not likely to simply dissapear by following a healthy diet, it is important to eat foods that contain the nutrients your skin needs to be healthy. Many have found improvement in their skin when avoiding foods with hormones and antiobitics such as dairy and meat, or by switching to organic.

Myth #3: Everyone outgrows bad skin and you don't need to treat it.

There are a variety of acne treatment options available both over-the-counter and prescription medicines from a dermatologist. While many will find their acne improves or goes away completely with time, there is no reason to not treat it and prevent permanent scarring. Many will need to treat their skin continually well into adulthood because it will not simply go away with time.

Some unfortunate people find their skin gets worse or acne begins to develop in their twenties even if they had clear skin in their teens. When it shows up in adulthood it can be difficult to treat. Adult acne cannot be cured but it can be managed with continual use of topical or other medications.

Myth #4: Acne is caused by using makeup.

The first cosmetics were oil based and could definitely make acne worse, but today there are many makeup products that are created for acne prone skin. As long as you use make up that is oil-free and does not contain any other ingredients that can clog pores you can use makeup to help improve the appearance of your skin. Hiding blemishes and the redness of active acne can go a long ways towards improving your self-esteem as you work to control your acne. Be sure to read the labels and look for the term "noncomedogenic" which means the product does not cause comedones or acne from clogged pores. Another term you may see is "nonacnegenic" which is also safe for acne prone skin. Today there are even some makeup brands which include acne fighting ingredients that actually improve your skin!

Myth #5: Popping pimples will clear them up faster.

Attempting to pop cysts can spread the infection deep within the skin which can lead to severe scars. Although it is difficult not to pop pimples, its best to speed up the healing by treating them with acne medications. For severe cysts and nodules, its best to be treated by a doctor who can remove them safely.

Dispelling the prevalent myths as to what causes acne is important for controlling your breakouts. With the correct information, you can learn what is causing your acne and what will work to clear up your skin and prevent future breakouts.

Before you buy anything claiming to "cure acne", make sure you check Joy Byers' Website Healthy Skin Resources and discover Real Solutions for Acne.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 6:30 pm and is filed under Acne. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.