Here's some common missconceptions about the causes of acne

Acne can be a really big and troublesome problem. It’s no wonder why a lot of people – teens, most especially – are overly obsessed with the search for ways to avoid acne. Because of this obsession, probably, a lot of myths on what causes acne and how it can be cured or prevented have appeared and have been going around since time immemorial. Acne myths can rival the staying power of urban legends and old wives’ tales. In fact, despite the repeated testimonies of experts regarding the lack of validity in these myths, a lot of people continue to believe and fear these misconceptions about acne.

One of the most common acne myths states that acne is caused by poor hygiene. At first blush, it seems that this belief could be true. After all, having dirty skin seems to be a possible cause of acne breakouts. This is the same reason why a lot of people believe that washing your face a lot of times can eliminate dirt, hence, less acne. Certainly, having dead skin and dirt and grime on your face is unsightly and can never be good for your skin in the long run. There’s no reason to believe, though that just keeping your face clean is enough. In fact, scrubbing your face all roughly could worsen the acne.

The second myth concerns diet. A lot of people avoid eating oily or fatty foods, chocolate and sugary stuff. This myth is based on an actual study (a flawed one, unfortunately) – and it has been certified that there’s no specific link between food and acne that can be applied to everyone indiscriminately. In most cases, a person would experience an increase in acne when he or she eats something he or she is allergic to. Food allergies can cause acne, but there’s no standard diet that will keep acne away forever.

Some believe that popping your pimple can make it go away faster. This is based on the belief that getting the icky yellow stuff out will help the acne heal faster. It can also make the pimple seem smaller right afterwards. The truth, however, is that popping a people can make the pimple last a lot longer. By squeezing it, you’re actually pushing more bacteria into the pore and the surrounding skin, thereby further irritating it. Scars are a lot more troublesome, as some can become deep, pockmark scars that are difficult to cure.

Wearing make-up causes acne – that’s another myth that keeps circulating. You don’t have to avoid make-up like the plague just because you have acne. You may have to be a lot more careful in choosing products, though, so check with your dermatologist. Even those who have moderate or minimal cases of acne should make sure that the cosmetics they use are non-comedogenic, so they don’t get breakouts. It’s possible for make-up to irritate your skin and cause breakouts if and only if you’re really allergic to it.

Another acne myth claims that acne is caused by stress. Ordinary, day-to-day stress doesn’t really affect a person’s acne. What could cause acne is the medicine used to control a person’s stress problem. Certain medication has been known to cause side effects, and acne could be traced to these stress prescription drugs, not stress itself. Lastly, some people believe that acne is a simple “teenage” problem and that it will have to run its course. The truth is that acne can plague anyone from a teenager to an adult well ahead in his years. Acne isn’t a teenage test. It’s a real problem that can lower a person’s self-esteem and permanently disfigure the face with deep scars. It’s therefore imperative that acne be taken seriously and that serious medical help be sought to combat it.