Myths about Acne - True or False

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There are many common myths about acne and especially about how to get rid of acne. While getting rid of acne fast is in the minds of all acne sufferers, it is important to apply caution first. The first rule is to never make things worse than before. Unfortunately, many of the acne recommendations can actually cause more harm than good. Here are 7 common myths concerning acne:

1. Chocolate leads to pimples - partially true. A high blood sugar level has been linked to acne, as well as high levels of insulin. Since most chocolates have a high glycemic index, it is normal to experience acne breakouts after eating chocolate. If you are a chocolate addict, try to limit your intake to once a week. Also, eating dark chocolate is recommended.

2. Acne is caused by not washing your face enough - false. Washing your face excessively can actually increase acne breakouts because you can irritate your skin with cleansers or soaps. Acne is not caused by a dirty face or by dead skin particles, but it is an ongoing process inside the skin glands. Some people use only water to wash their face twice a day, and they never experience acne, while others use expensive cleansers and can't get rid of their acne.

3. You need to dry your skin in order to get rid of acne - false. Many acne products try to block or limit the production of sebum. This can only lead to temporary results by drying out existing pimples. The acne process is still going on under the surface of the skin, while the exterior layer becomes dry and flaky. This can only lead to blemishes and red bumps that heal very slowly. In addition, your skin will get used to the product in a matter of days or weeks, so it won't be as efficient as before. Dry skin can also be a breeding ground for bacteria since the skin's protective barrier is affected by the lack of skin oil.

4. The sun can treat acne and acne scars - partially true. This usually depends on your skin type and skin tone. If you burn very easily in the sun, it might not be a good idea to cure your acne at the beach. However, many people report that their skin improves if they stay in the sun for short periods of time. One hour a day in the sun can be ideal for your skin. You will get enough vitamin D, get rid of some of the bacteria, and boost immunity. As for acne scars, most doctors say that the sun can cause hyper-pigmentation. This also depends on how your skin reacts to the sun. In some cases the sun can stimulate the production of new skin cells and make the acne scars fade faster.

5. Sex gets rid of the pimples - false. While regular sexual intercourse can regulate the hormones, the fact is that sexual arousal increases testosterone in women. This can potentially lead to more breakouts in women that have hormonal acne. Acne is much more related to menstruation that to each individual's sex life. Balancing hormones by eating less sugar and processed foods, getting enough exercise, and using natural remedies, is a far better solution for curing acne.

6. Popping pimples will make them heal faster - false. While popping pimples can actually appear to make things better, it can actually aggravate your acne. Firstly, the bacteria can multiply and you can end up with a bigger pimple. Secondly, you are pushing the bacteria inside the skin which can potentially lead to recurring pimples in the same spot. And lastly, you will cause severe scars that will take a very long time to heal.

7. Using aggressive acne treatments will cure acne fast - false. Many people that have an acne condition resort to very aggressive treatments to treat their acne. Although some treatments such as Accutane can be recommended in cases of severe acne, it is best to know all the risks beforehand. Each treatment has a different effect depending on the individual. Only a doctor can prescribe such treatments based on medical history and test results. Taking antibiotics or other medication just because it worked for another person is a big mistake.

While there is no miracle cure that can get rid of acne for everyone, there are many remedies that can offer long term solutions. Looking for the right acne remedy is basically on a trial and error basis. Each skin condition is different so it is normal that one remedy can't work for all. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle can benefit everyone.

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