Demystifying Acne Myths

There are a lot of theories and myths as to the causes of acne. Some of these myths are unfounded while some may have some ring of truth. However, some of the most common misconceptions about acne still prevail today. Some acne advice as well as a look at some of these myths will help in a better understanding of acne.

One of the common misconceptions that prevail today is that acne is caused by poor health. Most who believe this myth will usually wash their skin hard and frequently. However, this can actually worsen the situation. While the accumulation of dust, dead skin and skin oils on the skins surface can look unsightly, this does however not cause skin acne. Some acne advice like gently washing the face and pat dry can help to leave the skin clean. Remember, washing and scrubbing vigorously irritates the skin and even worsens the acne situation.

Another myth is that acne is caused by a poor diet. Scientific studies conducted on the subject have however not found any connection between acne and diet. Thus, diet does not cause acne. In some cases however, certain foods may affect an existing acne problem. Some acne advice that can be offered in such situations is to avoid the foods aggravating the problem. In any case, eating a balanced diet makes sense. All in all, one need not worry that food is the cause of acne.

Another common myth is that acne is a cosmetic disease. One of the acne advice tips that can be offered is that some cosmetics do aggravate skin problems, but in most cases, most of these cosmetics have undergone testing and proved to have no significant side effects. Since peoples sensitivity differs, it would only be logical to avoid anything that seems to worsen an acne problem. Another important acne advice for pregnant women is to avoid acne medications during pregnancy. Some potent medications should be avoided at all costs as they may cause potential harm to the developing fetus. Hormonal therapy, for example should not be administered one month before pregnancy. This also goes for isotretinoin as well as retinoids. These medications have the potential to cause serious birth defects to a fetus. Women under these medications should take 2 forms of birth control to ensure that they do not become pregnant. The above acne advice tips should thus help demystify common acne myths and offer precautions to take when under acne medication.