Acne Myth #1:
Pimples should be popped.
Truth: You might have heard that popping a pimple is the quickest way to make it go away. It is absolutely the wrong approach. Picking or popping them can cause germs to further penetrate your skin resulting in more redness, pain and at times infection. Keep in mind popping pimples can lead to scarring. Acne related scarring is treatable by “Multi-Lift Acne Scar Reconstruction”

 Acne Myth #2:
Acne is caused by dirt. Wash acne areas all the time.
Truth: Even though there are a number of culprits responsible for acne, dirt is not one of them. Blemishes form when dead skin cells mix with body’s natural oil, forming a plug in pores of our skin. Thus over washing your face or body (more than 2–3 times per day) will not make your acne better. Washing your face regularly is a good idea because it helps remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and dirt from your skin's surface. Over-washing is actually irritating, and excess irritation can worsen acne. A washcloth can aggravate this situation further. Use bare hands to wash and only wash twice a day.

Acne Myth #3:
Acne is an infection
Truth: Acne is a actually a skin disorder caused by a combination of factors, including hormones and genetics.

Acne Myth #4:
Acne is caused by stress
Truth: Stress is not a very important factor in acne despite what you may have heard. It is possible that some drugs for treatment of severe stress may have acne as a side effect, but stress itself does not cause acne. Stress may aggravate acne, but cannot cause it.   Acne may cause stress.

Acne Myth #5:
Acne is for teenagers — you’ll grow out of it.
Truth: This myth is harmful in several ways. First, it can lead teenagers to “wait it out” instead of seeking treatment for their acne; this can result in severe cases of acne, scarring. Second, this myth can cause further alienation in adults who suffer from acne. They may feel too embarrassed to seek treatment, wondering “Why do I still have acne? What am I doing wrong?” The harsh reality is that acne can develop at any age. Acne is however treatable, the course and duration of treatment differ dramatically for each person.

Acne Myth #6:
Acne is just a cosmetic condition.
Truth: Acne can also affect your mood, self confidence and the way you feel about yourself. You may feel that everyone is staring at you and you may even avoid going out and socializing. You may also feel hopeless and even depressed. And after it’s gone, acne can leave permanent physical and emotional scars. You should not be discouraged from seeking treatment. The sooner you consult with a professional, the sooner you’ll get on the path to clearer skin.

Acne Myth #7:
Spot treatment works.
Truth: Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. For more than 30 years, over-the-counter acne and skin care products have been making claims that the use of a little bit of the product directly on the acne or pimple will clear up the problem. However, blemishes usually take 2-3 weeks to form. Thus by just putting a little bit on the blemish, you are not treating the problem of why this occurred in the first place. The entire area affected by acne must be treated and treated in a way which ensures the acne does not occur again. Therefore, treat the acne by stopping the blemish from developing - which means treat the whole face or area every day.

 Acne Myth #8:
Certain foods cause acne.
Truth: No, fried food does not give you pimples. Scientists have been unable to find ANY substantial connection between diet and acne. Thus, enjoy eating all such foods which you have been afraid to eat (chocolate, French fries, etc.)

Acne Myth #9:
Make-up causes acne.
Truth: Most make-ups today are non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog your pores. Try to use cosmetic products which are oil-free (water-based) and hypoallergenic (no added fragrance). Some cosmetics even contain acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. If you are not sure, ask your dermatologist.

Acne Myth #10:
Acne is caused by too much sex.
Truth: This is an age-old myth. It’s true that androgens, the hormones all of us begin producing during puberty, are one of acne’s main contributing factors. While these and other hormones may initiate sex drive, your sexual habits have no effect on acne.

Acne Myth #11:
Truth: Sweating cleans out your pores.
While working out is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, it can cause flare-ups for some people. Vigorous exercise stimulates oil production, which combines with heat, perspiration and friction to aggravate acne on the forehead, chest and back. This can be minimized by wearing loose cotton clothing and by showering immediately after exercising. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for acne sufferers; as in water, perspiration, heat and friction mainly don’t occur.

Acne Myth #12:
Sun exposure helps acne.
Truth: Wrong! Minimal amounts of sun exposure may initially improve the appearance of acne — as the skin darkens, blemishes may be less noticeable. But prolonged exposure promotes more rapid exfoliation of dead skin cells, so you’re more likely to get clogged pores. In addition, acne’s unsightly souvenirs, post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation and macules, will actually get darker if you spend time in the sun. Over time, sun damages the skin and increases the likelihood that your acne will leave scars. Additionally, chances of getting skin cancer increase due to excessive sun exposure. Thus, use sun protection products that are oil-free and have a “sun protection factor” (or SPF) of at least 15 for both UVA and UVB rays.

Acne Myth #13:
Smoking cause acne.
Truth: Smoking does have damaging effects on the skin over a number of years. Chemicals absorbed from tobacco smoke can damage connective tissue that lies underneath the skin, which results in wrinkling. People who have smoked for a long time usually have 'old-looking skin'. Smoking, while deteriorating the appearance of the skin over a period of time, in itself does not seem to cause acne. So, stopping smoking could be part of a general program of overall skin improvement.

Acne Myth #14:
Abrasive cleansers are good for acne.
Truth: Dermatologists actually find that harsh exfoliants usually aggravate acne.

Acne Myth #15:
Acne is curable.
Truth: Not yet but it is highly treatable. The best way to treat acne is to prevent blemishes from developing, thus see a dermatologist right away. There are a wide range of treatments available and in every part of the country now there are cosmetic dermatologists specializing in acne treatments.

Acne Myth #17:
Acne is not hereditary.
Truth: Acne can be hereditary. If your parents had acne, you may be more prone to it.

Acne Myth #18:
Are there any Acne-Like Conditions
Truth: Some other conditions such as folliculitis may appear like acne. There are many other diseases that may look like acne. Some of them are rosacea, keratosis pilaris, perioral dermatitis, etc. Always visit a dermatologist instead of trying self-treatment.

Acne Myth #19:
Can supplements cause acne?
Truth: Many teenagers take a variety of supplements to gain weight, muscles and for other purposes. Supplements are enriched foods. No relation has been established between supplements and acne. Unless you are taking hormones your chances of getting acne due to supplements are poor. However if you feel that a particular supplement is causing acne, please stop taking that.

Call now to schedule your complimentary consultation with our Acne Specialist Dr. Jeffrey Rapaport, MD, FAAD for acne free, healthy, younger-looking skin. Tel: (201) 227-1555. You can also ask questions by clicking on Ask Questions http://www.cosmeticskin.com/contact.php