Stop Convincing Yourself These 5 Acne Myths are True
(Because we’ve all justified a bad skin habit before.)
Myth #1: It’s OK to pop pimples and pick my skin.
We understand how tempting it is.
But doing this increases your chances for irritation, inflammation, and scarring.
“When you pop or squeeze acne, you’re likely to push some of what’s inside (e.g., pus, dead skin cells, or bacteria) deeper into your skin,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
This can lead to more noticeable acne and sometimes scarring and pain. In other words, that acne you’re attempting to hide now looks worse thanks to the inflammation.
Resist the temptation to pop pimples and pick at the skin. Instead, turn to a professional who can help you treat your acne with medication and/or medical-grade skincare products.
Myth #2: The sun heals my skin. A slight burn helps clear up my acne.
We get it. The idea is that sun exposure can reduce inflammation in the skin, right? Or maybe you’re hoping the sun will dry out oil (sebum) on the skin.
Not so fast. The reality is that irritation from the sun’s rays can worsen your acne in the long run.
Especially if you’re using products with retinol, avoiding unprotected sun exposure is crucial.
The sun can also be deceiving. If you have light or fair skin, your suntan might make your blemishes look less noticeable. But you still haven’t addressed the issue – and when your tan fades, the acne will remain.
Sun protection is key. During a medical-grade skincare consultation with Agenacare Aesthetics, our team can recommend a sunscreen that is compatible with your skin routine.
Myth #3: Acne is caused by poor hygiene and/or “dirty” skin.
This just isn’t true. And beyond that, believing this myth is only going to hurt your self-esteem.
Your acne isn’t a result of poor hygiene. Acne develops when oil (sebum) clogs the pores. The reasons for excess oil on the skin can vary. Stress levels, hormonal imbalances, and genetic factors all play a role in acne.
Anything that brings excess oil to the skin can cause acne.
So while it’s important to clean, exfoliate, and tone, a struggle with acne is not indicative of a hygiene issue. In fact, cleansing your face more than the recommended twice daily can backfire, causing irritation.
Myth #4: Only teenagers get acne! Why am I still struggling with this?
Hormone changes during puberty increase the size of the skin’s oil glands, which can produce more pore-clogging oil.
The teenage years are the most common time to have acne, but there’s no guarantee it ends there. People can get acne at any age.
About 20% to 40% of women who have adult acne develop it for the first time as an adult, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Some people have acne well into their 20s, 30, 40s, and even 50s and 60s.
Myth #5: Acne does not need to be treated by a professional.
There’s no shortage of products on store shelves claiming to make your acne disappear. But this is one area where your DIY approach won’t cut it.
Connect with a professional so you can get on an acne-fighting skincare routine while you work to address the underlying causes of excess oil.
If acne is standing in the way of your confidence, your comfort, and your self-esteem, you owe it to yourself to book a consultation.
