Myth: Poor hygiene is the cause of acne

Truth is that dirty or surface skin oils do not cause acne. Parents sometimes convey to their children that kids without acne are cleaner. This is far from the truth. Blackheads are actually caused by dead skin surfaces clogging the pores, not dirt. And it is also true that the more aggressively you wash your skin the more the problem gets aggravated. So resort to a gentle wash instead, at least twice a day with a mild soap and just pat dry without harsh rubbing. You can apply any anti-acne medicine after this.

Myth: What you eat causes acne

Unfortunately for well-meaning parents, this is one of the oldest myths. In fact, all studies conducted on this subject show that there is no actual connection between diet and acne. You can rest assured that pizzas, french fries, chocolate and any other fast food do not cause acne, though these are foods dangerous for the heart and cause obesity. Even foods with high iodine content only aggravate existing acne and do not really cause it.

Myth: Stress is a major cause of acne

Any ordinary stress that teens may go through on a day to day basis has absolutely nothing to do with acne. In fact, there are many medications that are prescribed for stress that may result in acne as a side effect.

Myth: It is only a cosmetic disease. Picking it will result in scars

It is true that acne affects the way you look and can result in unsightly scars. But it is also a fact that just picking blackheads or squeezing them will not leave ugly scars. Poking at the lesions may serve to make them last longer and make it seem as if there are scars. But these fade in time.

Myth: Let acne run its course

Truth is that acne is a condition that can be cleared up. If off the counter products have not helped, maybe you should seriously consider seeing a dermatologist for a permanent solution. Using the right products will certainly prevent scarring.

Myth: Pimples are caused by oily skin

Just having oily skin does not mean you will have acne. Acne is actually a condition in which the cells lining the hair follicles that are shed normally, fail to make it to the surface to be washed away. It is these cells that build up inside, get mixed with oil and bacteria and simply block the pores. Teens with oily skin do tend to have acne, but in general, a greasy complexion is a symptom and not the root cause of acne.

Myth: Acne is very contagious

This is a very popular myth that most people believe to be true, but in reality, it is far from the truth. Nothing you do will either make you ‘catch' acne or be the cause of ‘giving' it to others. You can be sure of this.

Myth: Avoid makeup if you are having a flareup

Dermatologists firmly believe that cosmetics have nothing to do with causing acne or worsening the condition if you already have it. And this applies even to those cosmetics that are oil-based.

Myth: Nothing like strong medication to clear up acne

Most teens firmly believe that the stronger the medicine, better the chances of acne clearing up. They think a 10% solution may work better than a 2.5%. But in reality, you will only end up spending more where a 2.5% solution will work equally well. Increasing the dose will have no effect on the acne at all except to make a bigger hole in your pocket.

Myth: Acne is hereditary

Hmmm… this is where the myth may have a grain of truth in it. Some families may have certain skin conditions that may predispose their kids to acne. Again, the exact relation is not known. So this final myth may be true to some extent!

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