Myth: Acne should disappear by the end of adolescence.
Fact: Some women have acne that persists well past adolescence and into middle age. Others have an initial episode in their 20s or 30s. (Men who did not have acne in their teens rarely develop it after adolescence.)
Myth: Blackheads are caused by dirt.
Fact: They are black because of oxidised melanin not dirt. Blackheads or open comedones are collections of sebum and keratin that form within follicular openings and that, when exposed to air, become oxidised and turn black.
Myth: Frequent facials are beneficial.
Fact: Professional facials and at-home scrubs,
astringents, and masks are generally not recommended because they tend to aggravate acne. Facial peels with exfoliating products like Glycolic or Salicylic acid are however helpful.
Myth: Cosmetics, particularly oil-based preparations, "clog pores" and cause acne.
Fact: Cosmetics probably pose much less of a problem to women's skin than was previously thought. Their use rarely, if ever, causes adult acne
more commonly cosmetics can exacerbate acne on the forehead or around the hairline. Some cosmetics may be irritants and may cause contact dermatitis.
Myth: Acne is caused or worsened by certain foods such as chocolate,
sweets, and greasy junk food.
Fact: Despite occasional personal anecdotes and persistent cultural
myths, there is little evidence that acne is significantly influenced by diet. It is wise however to avoid foods that seem to aggravate acne.
Myth: A dirty face exacerbates acne, therefore, scrubbing the face daily will help to clear it up.
Fact: Acne is not caused by poor hygiene. Scrubbing and rubbing a face that has acne, particularly inflammatory acne, will only serve to worsen the irritation. Instead, the face should be washed daily with a gentle cleanser.
- Dr. Clive Anderson, dermatologist
