With so many searching for acne tips, it’s not surprising that there are many myths about what causes acne and how to get rid of acne. These myths lead many to stray away from what could actually help their acne, causing them to experience more breakouts, slower healing time and even discomfort.
Myth #1: Acne is Caused by One’s Diet
Many believe that acne can be caused or aggravated by what one eats. This is do to the fact that most non-Westernized societies do not experience acne in the same way Westernized societies do, leading people to wonder if the difference in diet is to blame. While there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory, there have been studies showing that high-glycemic foods (white bread, sweets, soda, etc.) could be linked to acne. Although these links could prove to be false, it is always better to limit the intake of high-glycemic foods, and instead opt for a more well-balanced diet.
Myth #2: Acne is Caused by Poor Hygiene
It is true that keeping your face properly cleansed can help clear up acne; however, the acne is not caused by poor hygiene. Acne begins below the skin’s surface without any help from dirt or grime. Cleansing the complexion with an acne treatment product can help unblock plugged pores, allowing the trapped sebum to escape and the pimple to heal. For a complete explanation of how acne forms, please see our Causes and Treatments for Acne page.
Myth #3: Acne is Caused by Stress
While acne is not directly caused by stress, stress may have an effect on hormones which, in turn, can aggravate acne breakouts. Luckily, an acne treatment product can overcome a bout of stress and its hormonal effects any day of the week.
Myth #4: Acne is Caused by Sex
Folks from older generations enjoy telling youngsters that acne breakouts are caused by sex or masturbation. This acne myth is one of the oldest, dating back to the 17th century. While acne is definitely not caused by sex, both acne and the desire for sex are increased by androgens. Therefore, when one’s body is producing higher levels of androgen, a person may experience both a higher sex drive and more severe breakouts.
Myth #5: Acne May be Cleared with Sun Exposure
Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays causes a reddening of the skin, which can help acne breakouts blend into the complexion. Additionally, sunlight may be able to help your current acne breakouts heal faster; however, subsequent breakouts will probably be worse. Although acne cannot safely be treated with sunlight, it can be treated with violet light using specially designed light therapy acne treatment devices.