Putting 6 Acne Myths To Rest
These days, a simple scroll through the results of a Google search can make it seem like every ailment and condition has some kind of folk remedy, old wives’ tale, or homemade cure involved. While we can’t vouch for all of them, we know with a fair bit of confidence that when it comes to acne, the science is in – and we can verify what it says. Here are some of the most common myths about acne, and why they’re just that: myths!
Myth 1: Sun exposure will help. A common old wives’ tale is that the sun is good for healing acne, and gives the advice that “If you struggle with acne, then be sure to expose the affected area to direct sunlight’. Although the warm rays on your skin may feel nice and give you a vitamin D boost, those warm rays do nothing to help alleviate acne – the UV radiation from the sun will actually do much more harm than good to your skin. For optimal skin health, you should never purposefully expose your skin to the sun without first applying a broad spectrum sunscreen. Feel free to head out in the sun for some fun and warmth, but protect your skin first – the sun won’t improve your acne, but it just might help chase away all thoughts of winter!
Myth 2: You need to wash your face more often. Most people only need to wash their face twice a day to maintain balanced, healthy skin. Washing several times a day is not necessary and can actually aggravate your skin and lower its resistance to the acne bacteria. Think of it like eating: it’s good when you need it, but eating too much is detrimental to your health. If you engage in sports or other activities that cause you to sweat, you may need to wash afterwards but that is the only reason for a midday scrub. The most important aspect to washing is the product you use, so as long as you use a top quality skin care product and a non-manual exfoliant consistently, you won’t need to wash your face more than twice a day, and you’ll avoid irritating the acne any further.
Myth 3: Put toothpaste on those pimples. Aside from the toothpaste being intended to go elsewhere, this myth is also debunked. This myth stems from triclosan, which is an antimicrobial agent found in toothpastes. However, it does not target Propionibacterium acnes, which is the bacteria that causes acne. Skip the toothpaste and use a product with active ingredients that help to exfoliate the skin and destroy acne bacteria (i.e., ones that are meant to go on your face for that purpose).
Myth 4: Acne only happens to teenagers. If you have successfully managed to go through your adult years so far without a single breakout, then you are in the small minority of adults to do so. While puberty can cause an increase in acne because of the rush of hormones, faster skin rejuvenation and sebum production, acne affects people of all ages, skin types, and occupations – and it can show its ugly head anytime. But remember, no matter your age, you do not have to suffer through bouts of acne! We have the knowledge and expertise to help you successfully combat acne.
Myth 5: Makeup/moisturizers/sunscreen make acne worse. This myth likely stems from the idea that any kind of lotion or skin-covering substance is what causes acne breakouts. But there’s really no connection between using these products and the frequency of acne – and failing to use them can lead to even drier skin and sun damage. Feel free to lather up (but only with a top quality skin care product), because this isn’t the root of the problem either. It’s totally possible to moisturize your skin without making it oily. Use a face moisturiser that puts water back into the skin, and prevents water from being pulled out, while avoiding moisturisers that put oil on the skin. Also be sure to use a sunscreen designed for your face, as it too will be designed not to clog pores and to hold water in the skin without adding oil.
Myth 6: Blackheads are hardened dirt in your pores. It can be tempting to think this, but blackheads are actually your skin’s own oil solution, sebum, that has oxidized and hardened. Your pores have very tiny oil glands that produce oil (sebum) and if not washed regularly, the sebum becomes stuck in the pores and oxidizes, causing blackheads. We highly recommend that you get a trained esthetician to extract the blackheads as blackheads will stretch your pores as your body continues to produce more sebum.
You know what isn’t a myth? The idea that you can get better skin in just 3 weeks with the proper acne package. If you’re a chronic sufferer, you’re likely looking for something you know is going to work, and we’ve got it. Our Acne Treatment Package is a full treatment that includes light therapies, facials, exfoliations, and a take-home kit that will clear up your skin in less than a month. This package will give you all the knowledge and treatment you need to never suffer from acne again! And if you don’t need the full treatment, but want to clear up some minor acne trouble or marks, we have a salicylic acid peel, a microdermabrasion therapy, and much more. To find out more, or if you’re interested in purchasing the package, let us know and we’ll be happy to help. Our many happy customers insist that you won’t be disappointed!
