Acne Myths

For most of us, acne is nothing new. Maybe we experienced breakouts as a teenager, or maybe it was just a single pimple that came up at the very worst time. Either way, the part of acne that most people struggle with is the aesthetics. Nobody tends to like what it looks like and people who suffer want rid as soon as possible. Everyone has their own preconceived notions about acne and what to do about it. For Acne Awareness month, we’re busting some of the acne myths that float around and sharing the truth about this frustrating condition.

Myth: Acne only occurs in teenagers.

Acne can develop at any time, and one of the most common times we see acne is actually during the 20’s and 30’s, particularly in women. There are many treatments that address both aging skin AND acne, so do not hesitate to seek treatment if you develop adult acne or have acne scars that don’t go away on their own. We all dread the thought of spots and we do all we can to avoid jawline breakouts! But are they really that bad? If you think so, you could check out a custom skincare company who can help with your breakouts in your need of crisis.

Myth: Popping a pimple makes it go away more quickly.

It’s actually the opposite that is true! Popping a pimple can lead to increased inflammation, which can make the blemish stick around longer. This increased inflammation may also increase your chance of developing a scar from the acne lesion. Leave the ‘pimple popping’ to the experts. We often have same day appointments available and can carefully extract the pimple and put a tiny bit of an anti-inflammatory medicine right into the pimple, which helps it to flatten within a couple of days.

Myth: Greasy food causes pimples.

In recent years, there have been studies that link some dairy products and diets with a high glycemic index (foods that raise your blood sugar) to the development of acne. Thankfully, greasy foods haven’t been shown to contribute to acne. Still, we recommend everything in moderation.

If you have acne or are experiencing a new acne breakout, that isn’t improving with over-the-counter treatments, we recommend coming into the office to meet with a Dermatology provider, who can examine your skin and determine the most effective treatment regimen for you. A simple routine can often make a dramatic difference in the appearance and health of your skin. Some people have found that hemp seed oil has a positive effect on the reduction of acne.