Acne Myths

As with any condition that so obviously enters into the public's consciousness, there are a number of myths about the causes of acne.

Myth Only teenagers get acne

The facts Although it is most common during the teenage years, a very small number of babies are born with acne and some do not get acne until they are adults. The majority of teenagers will outgrow acne but, because of the hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle and surrounding pregnancy, women may suffer bouts of acne until they reach menopause.

Myth There is no reason to treat acne

The facts Although it is true that most people do grow out of the “affliction”, it is not necessary for people to suffer the social humiliation that often goes with it. Modern drugs represent an effective treatment. There is no reason to force someone to endure loss of self-esteem.

Myth Acne only affects the body

The facts Although it is true that acne only affects your physical appearance, how you look and how others react to you can have a direct effect on your mood and self-confidence. If you feel that people are staring at you, this can be intimidating. When some of those people comment on your level of hygiene and make other suggestions about why you have this condition, it is easy to get depressed. If you are being bullied, talk to someone about the problem and get help.

Myth There is a cure for acne

The facts There is a difference between a treatment and a cure. The current treatments are very effective in controlling the condition but, at present, there is no cure.

Myth There is no cure for the scars

The facts Only one kind of lesion causes scaring and, with early treatment you can prevent or limit damage to the skin. There are a number of well-proven treatment if you are scared starting with lasers, going through fat transfers and surgery, to dermabrasion.

Myth Acne is an infection

The facts Although bacteria on the skin may infect a blocked pore, acne is not a condition that responds well to treatment using an antibiotic. Acne is a disorder of the skin caused when the hormones forming the androgen class cause an increase in the production of oil. There is also a genetic factor that some people are predisposed to the condition.

Myth People who don't wash, get acne

The facts One of the standard forms of verbal attack is to suggest that only “dirty” people get acne. This is dangerous because it encourages the victims to wash more vigorously. There is no link between surface dirt or oil and the development of acne. In fact, those who wash too often and rub their skin make the acne worse by causing the skin to dry. It is never necessary to wash the skin gently with a mild soap more than twice a day.

Myth Sunlight can improve the skin and remove acne

The facts Actually, excessive exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) in bright sunlight can cause an early ageing of the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. You should also take care because some of the medications used to treat acne can make your skin more sensitive to damage from UV.

Myth Fatty and greasy food (including chocolate) cause acne

The facts If you want to be healthy, you need to eat a healthy diet, but there is no scientific evidence that any food causes or aggravates acne. One of the reasons why this myth has arisen is that some people show an allergic reaction to different foods through eczema. If that happens, you either take an antihistamine or stop eating the food.

Myth Stress causes acne

The facts There is no medical evidence to link stress levels to acne but there is no doubt that those who have acne can feel highly stressed because of the bullying.

Myth Sex in general and masturbation in particular cause acne

The facts Although it is true that androgens are one class of the sex hormones and they are one of the primary causes of acne, there is no link between sexual activity and acne.