10 Acne Myths Revealed

Throughout the years, there have been plenty of myths about acne as well as acne treatments. Here are some of the most common myths about acne.

1. Acne only happens to teenagers

Many acne cases affect adults. As a matter of fact, more adults see a dermatologist about acne problems than teenagers. The teenage years are when most people first fall prey to acne.

2. Acne clears up when you take birth control pills

Not necessarily. Some women report that their acne got worse after they started on birth control pills and some state that their acne got better and cleared up. Each woman is different with this regard. While birth control pills regulate the hormone levels, they do not necessarily clear up acne.

3. Acne break out worse when you are pregnant

Not true. Some women who are plagued with acne all of their lives find their skin clears up upon pregnancy. This is thought to be due to the estrogen that is being generated. However, not all women who are pregnant get clear skin. And some women do report that they actually broke out for the first time when they got pregnant.

4. Acne is brought on by stress

While stress can play havoc within every part of your body and can make your acne worse, stress itself does not bring on acne. Acne is usually brought on by a hormone fluctuation. It is very common, in women, to get a pimple when they menstruate, even as they become older adults. Stress alone will not bring on acne.

5. Acne is brought on by chocolate

Chocolate is supposed to calm you down. At least, dark chocolate is supposed to have a calming effect While chocolate is high in sugar and fats, it does not bring on acne. The old myth of telling people who are breaking out to stay away from chocolate because it cause acne is just that - a myth.

6. Acne is brought on by not being clean

This is a myth in that most people who have acne wash their face repeatedly. Oily skin will not be washed away with soap and water and neither will acne. This is a hurtful myth for those who suffer from acne as it implies that they are somehow at fault for being unclean. It is not true.

7. Sex clears up acne

This is an old line used by many teenaged boys about acne. There is no indication that sex either clears up acne or allows someone to break out.

8. The sun will make acne worse

Contrary to that opinion, which was stated even by medical doctors in the 1980s, the sun is very likely to make the acne clear up. This is why many dermatologists use light therapy for their acne patients. Although dermatologists are fully aware of the harmful rays of the and the risk of skin cancer, the light therapy boxes that they use control the exposure enough to clear up the skin, without over exposing the skin.

9. Steam your face to get rid of acne

Facial steamers used to open up the pores and cleanse the skin. They do not get rid of acne. Even facial steamers that used medicated creams to rid someone of acne were of no use.

10. Toothpaste will clear up acne

A popular new myth is that toothpaste will clear up acne. Not true. Toothpaste will tingle and has properties that will dry the skin out, but the acne will not clear up any faster using toothpaste on your skin as it will on its own.