There are many misconceptions about acne floating around the internet. You’ve heard plenty of stories about what causes acne, but how do you know if it’s true? We’re here to clear things up starting with debunking the top 12 acne myths.
- Only teens get acne. Acne is the most common skin disease. People of all races and ages get acne. 30% of adults, both men and women, experience acne. Although 85% of teens get some form of acne, they aren’t the only ones who can suffer from it.
- You need to wash your face more. Washing your face more often won’t cure your acne. Try to wash your face twice a day, but more than twice daily may do more harm than good. Washing your face is helpful to decrease the bacteria, but you shouldn’t overdo it.
- It’s OK to pop your pimples safely. This is never a good idea. Squeezing your pimples triggers inflammatory responses and can introduce even more bacteria to your zit. It also can cause acne scars which don’t go away.
- The sun and tanning beds clear up acne. Although it may feel like it’s drying your skin, the sun is not helpful in healing acne. The sun can inflame and dry your skin which causes your skin to produce more oil, ultimately making it worse.
- Toothpaste can clear a pimple. Toothpaste and other household items are not safe on your skin. The fluorides in toothpaste can even worsen acne. Opt for a spot treatment instead that contains salicylic acid. Your skin will thank you in the long run.
- Pores open and close. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Since pores don’t have muscles, they can’t open and close. Steam can loosen the oils built up in pores and once clear, they can appear smaller.
- Dirty skin causes acne. Acne isn’t caused by uncleanliness. Washing your face twice a day is more than enough to remove bacteria and surface oil.
- Greasy food causes acne. Chocolate, french fries and other junk food have little to no effect on acne. There is no scientific evidence that these foods cause acne, so indulge all you want!
- Exfoliate as much as possible. Scrubbing your face really hard doesn’t just wash acne away. If you end up scrubbing too hard, it can inflame your acne, making it even worse.
- Acne only affects people with oily skin. People with all different skin types suffer from acne. All skin types can develop whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples.
- Makeup causes acne. Makeup can only irritate your skin if you’re using the wrong products. Foundations that are oil-free and lightweight won’t cause any issues, unless you forget to remove them at night. Don’t forget to wash your face before bed to remove any makeup and oil.
- Acne will go away, so you don’t need to treat it. Acne is chronic, meaning it can last a long time. It’s a condition which means it exists on your skin beneath the surface. You should always be concerned with managing your acne, and we can help.
Dermatologist in Northridge.