Myths about What Causes Acne
There are many myths about what causes acne. You may have heard everything from eating chocolate causes acne to tanning
can keep acne at bay. Here are some of the more popular myths and truths about acne.
Myth #1) You just have to let acne run its course. While it may seem there are times when you have worse outbreaks than others, you do not have to just sit by and wait. There are things you can do to help clear up your face. If you have tried different products, natural or otherwise, and the condition is only getting worse it may be time to seek professional advice. You may just have simple allergies causing an acne condition. Do not let any medical condition go untreated. This includes acne.
Myth #2) You have acne because you do not wash well enough. This is simply not true. You may find that scrubbing your face three and four times a day can actually increase the acne problem. You could end up with more outbreaks the more you wash your face. The rule of thumb is to wash in the morning with a mild soap and pat your face completely dry. In the evening you should remove any dirt and oil in the same way. If you wear makeup it is always best to remove it all before going to bed at night; this way your face is clean and able to breath without any of the pores being blocked.
Myth #3) Chocolate only increases the risk of acne breakouts. Believe it or not, chocolate itself is not the culprit when it comes to acne. The sugars and fats in a chocolate bar are the main monster. Sugars can over stimulate your hormones. When the hormones in your body become stimulated they will produce sebum. Sebum is what keeps your hair follicles lubricated. Too much sebum can build up and clog the pores. When your pores are clogged, bacteria can build up, causing pustules and other forms of acne. Chocolate is actually not what is causing the outbreak. The sugars are. Keep them to a minimum, but remember they come in lots of foods, not just chocolate.
Myth #4) Diet has everything to do with acne. The truth is diet does have a lot to do with acne outbreaks but not as much as you think. Stress and hormone changes can have more to do with skin conditions than any foods you eat. Although a diet high in fiber along with fresh fruits and vegetables has been known to limit acne outbreaks, lowering stress levels can also keep flare-ups to a minimum.
Myth #5) Acne is caused by too much makeup. While certain make up can clog the pores on your face, not all make up is bad. Cosmetics made of greases and oil bases can significantly increase your chances of having an acne breakout. The main culprit is grease and oil buildup in the pores. Adding more of this offensive material can only lead to more problems. There are many cosmetic products made of a mineral base. This natural mineral make up can help reduce your acne situation. The zinc oxide in most of these cosmetics can help heal the sores on your face. This wonderful healing agent also acts as a moisture barrier to keep your pores dry. Bacteria feed on moisture. Keeping your face dry can keep outbreaks to a minimum.
Myth #6) Tanning gets rid of acne. Although you may find that being in the sun can help with your acne problem, the truth is the sunburn is a skin irritant just like acne. Causing any more damage to your skin only complicates the problem. Sunlight is healthy in small doses. The sunlight can dry your skin like no other natural remedy. This may be what you need in mild cases of acne. However, sunlight does not cure acne. The redness from the sunburn can make the blemishes seem to disappear when in fact they are only hidden by the burn or tan.
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