The Great Acne Myths

If something is repeated long enough and often enough, it becomes a FACT.

This can be a good thing if one is trying to change a particular habit but when so called facts take the place of truth, the results can be less than hoped for.  Acne problems are explained by many so called facts.

I would like to talk about some of the more common Myths about Acne. For example, stress. Is it true that increased stress increases and spreads acne?

Not exactly. What is true is that ultimately stress can have a very minimal or minor influence all by itself. It cannot actually cause acne, but it can influence occurrences of new acne.

Stress increases the body’s creation of a substance called cortisol that in turn causes your sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum oil that can be blocked in pores.

Consider that if you are prone to breakouts, you consciously or unconsciously worry about developing a big zit right before a really important event.  You therefore spend more time touching your face.  You increase the chances of a pore becoming blocked just by pressing the sebum back into the pores.

If your method of dealing with stress involves eating especially fatty or greasy foods and reduces the amount of sleep you get, well you just set the stage for increased acne and possibly "catching" a cold or other virus because of a depressed immune system.

Speaking of catching, there is the question -- is Acne contagious?  Not!

No one can “catch” acne; it is non-communicable.

Can you spread the germs and bacteria on your own face by "popping" a pimple, yes.

What is worse, you can cause the pimple to go underground or should I say under skin and become a bigger problem.

I love the Acne Myth that you’ll outgrow acne, so just leave it alone. Sure, leave it alone as far as touching and picking but ignoring a problem will only make it worse. And why suffer with acne when you can treatment and stop it.

Acne strikes all ages and is treatable. Some people are still breaking out in their 40's.

How about this great acne myth. People with acne are dirty and don’t wash enough.  Acne is the result of a build up of oil, dead skin cells and bacteria in a closed pore. Period. Dirt is not even a factor in the equation.

That is not to say that you should not be clean. But the truth is that with oily skin, sometimes the more you wash the more oil is produced as the body trys to protect itself.

OK, myth or reality: there is a cure for acne? Myth. Although there is no cure at this time, there are many treatments available that do a great job. As the saying goes, “Prevention is the best medicine;” however, there is no need to suffer in silence with all the options available on the market today for all price ranges.

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