Busting Acne Myths

Don’t eat chocolate. Wash your face three times a day. Don’t wear makeup. You’ll grow out of it.

We’ve all heard the countless pieces of advice offered by our grandmothers for treating and avoiding acne breakouts in our teens. Unfortunately, most of these wise words are just myths that have been repeated so often they’re disguised as truth!

In this blog post, I’ll address and debunk some of the most common myths and replace them with truths about how to manage or avoid breakouts.

Myth #1: Chocolate and other junk foods cause acne.

If you’re a chocoholic, cutting back on the sweets or greasy foods can only help your overall health. But if you’re hoping it will clear up your acne, you’ll find yourself craving a piece of candy and still dealing with those pimples.

Although this is one of the longest-running acne myths, no one is really sure where it started. Rest assured, though, that study after study has failed to find a connection between diet and acne.

Myth #2: You’ll grow out of it. Acne is a teenage thing.

Not to burst your bubble, but someone who is prone to acne will, most likely, always be prone to acne. Although acne tends to be worse in teenagers with ever-changing hormone levels, it won’t just go away completely without proper treatment.

Acne is caused by clogged pores, and is often the result of naturally oily skin. That’s why many of the acne medications out there work by drying out the skin to help reduce the breakouts. If your skin is oily, you’ll probably always deal with some form of acne.

But remember that it doesn’t have to be that way! There are lots of treatments out there – both over-the-counter and prescription medications – that can help quell those breakouts and get your acne under control.

Myth #3: “Popping” a pimple makes it go away.

Sorry, pimple popping posse. Despite what your mother may have told you, popping a pimple is not good! While it might make it a little smaller or less noticeable temporarily, popping a pimple actually causes it to be around longer. It forces the bacteria deeper into the skin, resulting in a return (with a vengeance) later or, worse, a scar when you get older.

While it may be tempting to go for the temporary relief before a big event, avoid the temptation by considering that broken skin is more difficult to cover up than any pimple. If you’re looking for a quick fix, try a benzoyl peroxide-based wash, cream or other drying agent to help take away the oil – the cause of the pimple.

Myth #4: Wash your face several times a day – good hygiene prevents acne!

Oops, wrong again. While washing your face is necessary and helpful to clear up or prevent acne, washing it too much can actually aggravate the problem. I always recommend washing twice a day with a mild, non-irritating wash. Make sure to gently rub, not scrub, your skin.

Washing your face will remove dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells. However, washing too much or using an irritating agent can dry out the skin and cause it to produce more oil to get back to its natural state. Kind of negates all that washing, don’t you think?

Myth #5: Sun exposure or getting a tan will help clear up a breakout.

Absolutely not! As I’ll say to anyone who will listen – too much sun exposure is never a good idea for healthy skin. Yes, some exposure is necessary for Vitamin D, but any change in skin color is a sign that some damage has occurred. No matter what, never visit a tanning bed, and never expose your skin to the sun without wearing sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.

Although technically not a myth – UV light does kill the p.acnes bacteria and can decrease breakouts, the risk is not worth the minor benefit. Aside from UV light, other reasons for this rumor likely resulted from the temporary skin dryness associated with sun exposure, as well as redness or darker skin that may make pimples less noticeable. These effects are not long-lasting, nor are they a cure for acne. In fact, the risk for melanoma and other skin cancers essentially counteracts any “benefit” you may see to your acne.

Did I miss any common myths you’ve encountered? Leave them in the comments, and I’ll address them!

Sporting a Breakout? Don't Sweat It!

Photo by Anne Rossley, some rights reserved

At Advanced Dermatology, we often get questions about a variety of acne problems. At the beginning of the school year, it never fails that a few athletes come in for breakouts they attribute to their strenuous activities. This blog post will answer some of the common questions, and possibly help athletes prevent, treat and avoid these breakouts.

Don’t see your question answered here? Leave it in the comments, and I’ll respond!

What causes body acne?

First, let’s clear one thing up – acne is acne. Whether it’s on your body or your face, it’s all caused by the same factors. Acne is a result of clogged pores, which often present themselves in the teenage years as a result of over-productive hormones that make the skin very oily.

Why does playing sports seem to contribute to breakouts?

Teenagers, who are often already at risk for breakouts as a result of their hormone changes, often find that their acne gets worse during the school year when they are playing sports and being very active.

With pores already being clogged by oily skin or hormones, the extra sweat doesn’t help. Breakouts can also be exacerbated by the harsh rubbing or friction often caused by equipment like chin straps or pads.  

For athletes such as dancers or cheerleaders, “performance makeup” can also be a contributing factor. In these situations, the athlete wears heavier makeup than usual or uses a different product provided to him or her. In these cases, the athlete’s skin could be experiencing a reaction to the product.

How do I treat, avoid or prevent these breakouts?

There are several over-the-counter face and body washes that can treat and help prevent breakouts, including those associated with playing sports. Any wash containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or a combination of the two is a good place to start.

Athletes with serious acne problems should wash their face and other affected areas both before and immediately after their activities. They may also consider wearing a clean T-shirt underneath sports equipment that can help absorb some of the sweat and keep it from clogging pores.

For athletes using makeup for performances, consider an oil-free product that will not contribute to clogging pores.

What if I already use acne washes, but still break out?

Unfortunately, some people are predisposed to breakouts because of genetics or other factors. While the washes can certainly help treat and prevent breakouts, they may not be a cure-all. Sometimes, antibiotics are necessary.

If you find that over-the-counter products just aren’t cutting it, call to schedule an appointment at Advanced Dermatology. We can assess your specific situation and recommend antibiotics or other prescription solutions to treat sports-related acne.