Fact and Fiction Concerning Acne
Acne is a very common condition that many struggle with. While it is not at all life-threatening, and thus is a somewhat harmless condition, it can be painful and it is very frustrating and discouraging for those who suffer with it. There are many misleading notions about acne, and it is sometimes difficult to sort through the information to discover what is fact and what is fiction or what acne remedies will work for your skin.
Fact: Acne stems from oil that is secreted by glands just under the skin
Yes, the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands, which lie just under the skin, do have a part to play in the formation of acne. (see What Causes Acne)
Fact: Blocked pores cause Acne
Yes, pores blocked with dead skin cells and excess oil secreted by the sebaceous glands do lead to acne formation. Bacteria called Propionibacterium Acnes grows in these blocked pores, causing inflammation and infection. The resulting inflammation of the skin is what we call acne.
Fiction: Acne results from poor hygiene
Even though acne occurs when pores are blocked, washing your face more often, or more rigorously will not stop acne. Washing and scrubbing will not unblock clogged skin pores, nor will it prevent it from happening. Washing your face will clean the surface, but it will not clean down inside the pores, which is where the blockage is located.
Fiction: What You Eat Can Cause Acne
Even though acne is caused in part by excessive oil secretions, simply eating less oil in your diet does not mean that the sebaceous glands, which form the oil, will make less. Hormones control the amount of oil these glands produce, it has nothing to do with the amount of oil in your diet or the types of acne vitamins you consume.
Fact: Increased Hormonal Activity Can Aggravate Acne
Yes, acne is primarily the body’s response in some way to the surging hormonal levels that are reached during adolescence. Hormones, for example, control the amount of oil that the sebaceous glands produce.
Fiction: All Acne Treatments are the Same
No, each acne treatment is a unique combination of ingredients. There are a limited number of active ingredients that actually attack acne breakouts but each ingredient has different characteristics and works on a different aspect of acne. That’s why it’s important to find the right products that work for your individual skin type.
Fact: Some Medications May Cause Acne
Yes, there is increasing proof that acne can be caused, or aggravated by different medications as well as some chemicals that are commonly found in other drugs. For example, Anabolic Steroids are medicines that are known to trigger acne. Chemicals that are made up of or include chlorine compounds can also have this effect.
Although there are many acne remedies that do work not all remedies or treatments will work for everyone because of different skin conditions.
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[...] foods. It’s not caused by lack of sleep. And it’s not caused by poor personal hygiene (see Fact and Fiction Concerning Acne). But does knowing this put us closer to a [...]