Acne is a very common skin concern, typically most profound amongst teenagers, however acne can also affect both men and women well into their 20s and 30s. Unfortunately, as acne is so common, you will hear many people discuss their beliefs about the causes of acne and how to prevent/treat it. Addressing skin concerns can really disrupt one’s self-esteem, so it is important you get the right information when it comes to finding a treatment solution. Here The Laser Treatment Clinic has uncovered some of the most common myths about acne and provided you the truths, so you can address your acne with all the correct information.
The Many Myths About Acne
- Acne is one of the most poorly understood skin concerns. With so many myths floating around online and in conversation with family and friends, it can be hard to see the truth. Here are some of the many myths about acne:
- Acne is caused by eating junk food and having a poor diet – Although your skin can reflect your inner health and a balanced diet is recommended, there is no research to suggest a poor diet will cause acne. You should not feel as though you need to cut out all your favorite foods in order to treat your acne.
- ‘Those with acne must not wash their face or skin properly’ – This is not true; the biological causes of acne tend to lie beneath the skin. In most cases, people with acne are actually washing and cleaning their faces a lot more frequently than those without. Sometimes this can actually irritate the skin further. It is always recommended you speak with a dermatologist who can provide you a skincare routine that will work in conjunction with your treatments to resolve your acne.
- ‘You just need to squeeze your whiteheads and blackheads and they will go away – we never recommend anybody doing this. It will only slow down the healing process and may result in the appearance of acne scarring. Which will then also require treatment to diminish the appearance.
- ‘Acne is infectious’ – Acne can not be passed from person to person. We do, however, recommend you frequently clean your pillowcases and towels to ensure bacteria from your skin when it sheds is not being left on materials you are then using against clean skin.
The Truth about Acne
What is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that affects the majority of the population at some point in their lives. As mentioned previously, many people will suffer from acne as a result of puberty and hormone changes. However, adult acne can also develop within your late twenties and thirties. Acne appears as blackheads and spots across either the face or body. Typically, body acne will be found in places like the back and chest. This is due to hair follicles in the skin becoming blocked. There are a number of reasons why they can become blocked, hence why so many myths surrounding acne exist.
The Common Acne Symptoms:
Each person is different, and their experience of acne will range in severity. There are several different symptoms of acne (types of spots and blackheads to look out for):
- Painful Acne Cyst lumps
- Clogged pores – Usually appearing as whiteheads or blackheads.
- Oily skin
- Bacteria
Acne in Women:
Women are usually more likely to experience acne than men. This has been put down to the number of hormone changes a woman can go through in her life.
You may have noticed you experience an acne breakout during your period, or as a result of puberty as a teen. Women may also experience acne breakouts during pregnancy and if they have been diagnosed with PCOS.