Acne Control - What are the Four Myths and Misconceptions

Some have heard the advice that in order to get acne control, you should get a tan.  Others have religiously avoided chocolate and any foods with even a hint of fat or oil in order to get over the symptoms of acne. Another common myth heard by adolescents or adults who suffer from acne is to avoid make up and don't shave.  Finally, any people who have ever had the symptoms of acne have probably picked at or squeezed the pimples, zits or lesions. The contemporary thinking may be very different from previous generations about the causes and effects of acne and acne treatment.

Get a tan

There is absolutely no proof that baking yourself in the sun will help you in your quest for acne control. Because spending time in the sun can cause your skin to darken, the redness of acne may not be as obvious when you have a tan, but as soon as the tan begins to fade, you will be able to see the redness or pimples again.  Tanning may actually cause damage to your skin due to the harmful rays of the sun on irritated, damaged or sensitive skin.  If you enjoy the sun, be sure to use adequate protection to prevent painful sunburn and the potential for skin cancer later in life.

Squeeze Pimples

There are few people who suffer from acne who have not been warned to never squeeze pimples, zits or blackheads. However, it is highly unlikely that most people have the willpower to actually avoid squeezing these ugly breakouts.  Contrary to belief, squeezing a pimple does not clean it out so that it will heal faster.  Squeezing actually can drive bacteria further under the skin, causing redness, pain, and even a nasty discussion. If you want the best form of acne control, don't put your hands or fingers on your face, especially not to squeeze the lesions.

Avoid Chocolate and Fats

Avoiding fried foods and saying no thanks to chocolate does not provide you with effective acne control. Does this mean that you can partake of a diet of candy bars and French fries?  Definitely not.  Neither does it mean that you can make a steady diet of these popular fast food items that are so tempting especially for teenagers. Good nutrition and plenty of water helps improve your health and circulation.

Avoid Make Up and Shaving

Another myth that is commonly seen in acne control circles is the instruction to avoid using make up on acne ravaged skin because it will worsen the symptoms of acne.  The belief that make up will clog the pores is not too hard to understand since proponents of this view could see the blackheads that appear to be dirty. In fact, blackheads are not dirt at all but changes in the color of pigmentation because of the oil deposits from the glands at the base of the hair follicle.  Banning shaving is advice given to many acne sufferers, but there is no evidence that shaving or not shaving has an impact on the acne symptoms.