Acne

Corbin Newlyn asked:


Acne is a commonplace skin problem for the majority of adolescents and also afflicts a portion of the adult population. People of all different age groups and backgrounds have had to deal with acne at one point or another. Thus, there has long been a long standing desire to prevent it or even cure it.

We will take a look at some of the various causes of acne in addition to some of the various ways in which people are treated. Our hope with this article is that you will gain a better understanding as to the reasons why people get acne and what they can do for prevention and treatment.

What is acne?

For many thousands of years, people have wrestled with acne. Acknowledged in some cultures as a kind of curse from the gods for immoral behavior, acne has mostly been misunderstood. Only within roughly the past century has the medical field been able to distinguish the true causes of acne. As some might expect, this has permitted those who are afflicted with blemishes to gain a certain sense of relief.

An inflammatory disease of the skin, acne is the consequence of serious changes in the skin’s structure. Acne is considered to be the body’s unique response to a relatively natural production of testosterone, a male hormone.

Instead of a sign that one’s skin is not clean, acne is more closely related with the hormonal and bacterial activity underneath the skin, which finally leads to the irritation of the skin. The end result is the red swelling that we know as acne.

What is The Most Common Type of Acne?

One may think that all acne is the alike, but in fact it is not. As with all irritations of the skin, there are several forms involved. Some are believed more serious and harder to eliminate than others. The most usual kind is acne vulgaris, which only means “common acne,” ordinarily signified by a red swelling of the skin. Soon after the initial signs, the white or yellow pus that people associate with acne becomes evident.

This is the type of acne that the majority of teenagers get, caused when excessive amounts of oil from the sebaceous gland combine with dead skin cells to end up clogging the pores of the skin. Since the skin’s pores are blocked, oil continues to build up, hence permitting bacteria and yeast to spread. This surplus of bacteria and yeast is what finally does tons of damage to a persons skin.

What Are The Mental Effects of Acne?

Acne might show a body’s failure to properly deal with hormonal changes. Acne can suggest that a person is not handling stress in an effective manner. It might be an indication of a potentially serious allergic reaction to a medication or other type of element. It is not these effects of acne that tend to do the most damage, though.

Acne is more than a health issue, acne is known to cause people (mainly teens) a sense of shame as well as embarrassment. Acne is incorrectly associated with being unclean. Clear, healthy skin is associated with cleanliness, while severe forms of acne are frequently thought to be the effect of sanitary neglect.

Not just that, acne can be ugly and turn people away. The majority of people who experience severe acne are emotionally scarred by the social rejection, contributing to adolescent emotional insecurity and a sense of self-doubt. Because of this, acne should be treated as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible.

Isn’t it True That Staying Clean Helps Prevent Acne?

It is always a healthier alternative to rid your skin of toxins as well as dirt that accumulate throughout your normal daily routine. So yes, to some extent, it is true that washing your skin can help prevent or decrease acne.

Acne is a chemical element, and it is something that occurs beneath the surface of the skin to a greater degree than on the skin itself. Both cleansing on a daily basis as well as care of one’s skin will help in reducing the bacteria that resides on the surface of the skin, but these actions cannot decrease the testosterone levels below the surface of the skin that help to create acne.

Recognizing this underlying fact should help to reduce some of the stigma that is accompanied with acne. It should also allow people who are enduring their acne to take some degree of comfort in understanding that they are not necessarily less clean than other people. The truth is that they have very little actual control over what is going on beneath their skin.

What Are Some of The Other Elements Involved That Increase the Probability of Getting Acne?

That is a good question, and one that is likely on everyone’s mind. The tough part about acne is that there is not one single element that can prompt it. Several factors help cause acne. Some of them can be circumvented, while others cannot. For instance, one cannot change their family history, but this is one very important factor in influencing the development of some form of acne.

Hormonal activity is another. Women who are pregnant or who are menstruating have been known to abruptly acquire bad cases of acne. Other elements, such as stress and certain medications, can also bring about acne.

Bear in mind, acne is based on the hormonal changes that occur within the body. Any life-changing or stress-inducing occurrence is likely to alter a person’s chemical makeup. Lastly, the accumulation of dead skin cells often contributes to increased acne.



WILBERT

Tim Faber asked:


Clinical studies indicate that emu oil and Vitamin E are very effective in the treatment of skin rashes.  Moreover, neither of them cause any of the potentially harmful side effects that could be triggered off by other chemicals.

What Is Skin Rash?

Skin rash refers to any skin condition that causes disturbances in the skin.  Often a skin rash will have varied symptoms including pain, burning, itching or swelling.  Sometimes there can be raised bumps or blotches and redness too.  The rash may be all over the body or it may be localized and restricted to one small area.

What Causes Rashes?

There are many triggers that can cause skin rashes including systemic illnesses such as lupus and lyme disease or an infestation caused by small parasites such as lice and mites. Very often, skin rashes are caused because of a reaction to harsh chemicals or by some form of infections be it viral, bacterial or fungal.  Allergic reactions can also often manifest as skin rashes.  The good news is that you can get some level of relief using emu oil and Vitamin E for skin rashes no matter what their cause.

How Does Emu Oil and Vitamin E Help?

Protecting your skin against rashes includes prevention from getting them in the first place as well as relieving symptoms and assistance with healing should you get them.  Using emu oil and Vitamin E for skin rashes helps on all these fronts.  Products containing these ingredients help maintain good skin health to avoid getting many rashes in the first place.  They also have properties that assist in accelerating healing and relief from pain and discomfort once the rash has surfaced.

Using emu oil for skin rashes has been a common practice with the Aborigines in Australia for thousands upon thousands of years.  Even without the benefits of modern science, these people recognized its potential healing powers.  Today we have seen scientific proof that using emu oil for skin rashes helps reduce inflammation, retard the growth of bacteria and other harmful microbes and relieve pain.  Paired with the impressive antioxidant properties of Vitamin E, products containing emu oil for skin rashes can be amazingly beneficial.



JACOB

samnickel6 asked:


 

Wondering what that rash, welt, or bump on your child’s skin is? Infection, allergies, and temperature extremes are often behind the skin conditions seen in babies and children — and many are minor and easily treated. You can learn to recognize some of the most common conditions — but remember: always consult a doctor for proper diagnoses and treatment.

Rashes

A bacterial infection of the skin that is very common in children. It gains access through damaged skin, such as cuts, grazes or insect bites. If there is direct skin-to-skin contact with others, or if bedding, clothing or towels are shared, it can spread rapidly through families and communities.This rash can occur anywhere on the body, but most frequently on the head and neck.

Ringworms

Worms don’t cause ringworm. Instead, this skin infection is caused by a fungus living off dead skin, hair, and nail tissue. Starting as a red, scaly patch or bump, it develops into itchy red ring(s) with raised, blistery, or scaly borders. Ringworm is passed on by skin-to-skin contact with a person or animal, and by sharing items like towels or sports gear. Most ringworm infections can be treated with antifungal creams

A child who was born with a usually fatal genetic skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, has been treated and is living a much better life now thanks to University of Minnesota Medical School researchers and cord blood and bone marrow stem cell transplants. The disease causes the skin tissue to be extremely fragile, and also makes the whole intestinal tract very thin as well, so they usually get all sorts of infections and don’t last long.

Hives

Hives, also called urticaria, are an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, the reaction can be to almost anything, including cold, heat, and even emotional tension. Unless you already have a good idea what is causing the hives or you have just taken a new drug, the doctor is unlikely to be able to determine the cause. Most often, searching for a cause is fruitless.

Eczema

Eczema is an unpleasant and restricting condition for any child. It is also distressing for their parents who find there is very little they can do to take away the irritation and pain, except to use a prescription steroid cream. Such creams can seem like a miracle, as they can vastly improve the painful and unsightly eruptions. However, they suppress rather than cure.

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap (also called seborrheic dermatitis) is a rash that begins as scaling and redness on a baby’s scalp. This condition is a non-infectious skin condition and is a form of eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis is common in infants, usually beginning in the first weeks of life and slowly disappearing over a period of weeks or months. The condition rarely is uncomfortable or itchy.



BLAKE

Mike H. Walden asked:


The first thing that we must understand is that acne breakouts occur due to an imbalance in our body’s function. An acne bacterium does not cause acne but is responsible for the inflammation in and around the acne. Medication applied to the acne kills the bacteria superficially thereby reducing the inflammation but does not assure you of acne free skin permanently. For that we need to tackle the problem from within.

Acne is not just a skin problem.

Dermatologists refer to acne as an inflammatory disease of the skin. Superficial factors like an oily skin due to excessive production of keratin and sebum by the oil-producing sebaceous glands results in inflammation.

This results in blocked pores which facilitate the growth of acne bacteria causing inflammation visible as blackheads on the skin’s surface or whiteheads which are below the surface of the skin.

However, acne formation is due to a combination of various factors like overactive sebum glands, skin type, blocked pores and acne bacteria together with malfunctions inside our body which makes the skin susceptible to acne breakouts. That is why medical practitioners refer to it as a disease of the skin.

Is Acne a skin disease?

Acne is the body’s way of telling us that all is not right with the internal functioning of our various organs. Always bear in mind that acne is the result or symptom of a malfunction of our system and is not a disease of the skin as most medical experts would like us to believe.

However, if you go along with the doctors views then you will fail to look for the root cause of the problem which is causing the acne. You will not understand that your body is giving you signals via the acne to look for the inner imbalance.

The inner natural balance needs to be restored so that your skin becomes acne free and your health returns to its normal state. You will not need to use the creams, ointments or antibiotics that the skin specialist prescribes.

This naturally will make you wonder why doctors insist on treating acne and acne bacteria as a skin problem. It suits them to have a captive patient who will continue buying the antibiotics and lotions. The specialists will also earn brownie points from the manufacturers of the medications since their sales are increasing at your expense.

The usefulness of the acne bacteria

Yes acne bacteria, like all other types of bacteria are there for a purpose. These organisms or p acne bacteria as they are called are found on everybody’s skin. Their job is to attack other more virulent bacteria and to protect and maintain the natural balance of our skin.

Even if you don’t suffer from acne you will find that the acne bacterium is present on your skin. It has a very important role as guardian of our skin and also in ensuring the skin’s elasticity.

In the normal biological function these acne bacteria feed on the oil from the sebum glands and on perspiration. That is why they were created to protect the skin.

An acne bacterium does not spread and since it is not infectious it does not cause an acne breakout. Which brings us to the question that if all of us have acne bacteria then why don’t all of us suffer from acne?

The reason is that for a bout of acne to occur everything has to come together including low internal immunity to create conditions that will encourage acne to strike with all its attendant symptoms.

Conditions that assist Acne

Certain pre-conditions are necessary for acne to develop. Whenever the natural balance of our system, like an imbalance in our hormonal profile for example, gets upset, the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. This oil combines with the toxins that the body has not been able to flush out because of the blocked skin pores. This condition helps the acne bacteria to increase at an alarming rate resulting in an acne breakout with all its side effects.

To get rid of acne and its recurrence you must ensure that such a condition is not allowed to develop. The acne cannot be stopped by trying to destroy the bacteria with superficial medication. This will only put a temporary halt in the proliferation of acne bacteria unless you treat the root cause.

Antibiotics like benzoyl peroxide, monocycline or tetracycline only destroys the acne bacteria but does not treat the condition that is causing the bacteria to increase.

How to tackle Acne

We know what conditions cause the acne bacteria to flourish superficially on the skin. Now we need to find out what causes hormonal imbalance or the build up of toxins in our body. Only then can we get rid of the acne permanently.

The combination of excessive oil production and toxin build up helps the bacteria to thrive and multiply on the skin. But within our body biological changes, nutritional deficiencies, psychological or hormonal imbalances are the culprits responsible for the acne eruptions on the skin.

To ensure that your skin remains acne free permanently you need to restore the internal balance of your system. Simultaneously, the bacteria on the surface of the skin should be maintained at the normal level so that your complexion becomes radiant once again.



SYDNEY

Mike H. Walden asked:


The appearance of adult acne in people who never had acne in their adolescent age challenges the belief that acne is related only to hormonal growth, and that you can get rid of acne when puberty comes to an end.

Adult acne can prove really emotionally disturbing for people who have never had acne as teenagers and always had clear blemish free skin. It is really more annoying as they don’t have any psychological justification to justify their acne as there is for teen acne.

If you are suffering from adult acne then you have to realize that that any kind of acne does not occur just like that. They have got some reason behind it and until and unless you do something about this internal reason you can never get rid of your adult acne.

This report will help you understand the truth behind adult acne, the difference between the two, i.e. adult acne and teen acne and also you’ll learn how you can cure your adult acne completely.

Difference between adult acne and teen acne

Studies have proven the fact that there is a difference between the skin types of adult acne sufferers and teen acne sufferers but the actual reason for any acne is actually the same.

The next question that surely comes to your mind is how come you are suffering from acne now as an adult when you never suffered from acne as a teen.

That is in fact a very good question and in order to get an answer to this question you have to first understand why acne is caused.

The main causes of any kind of acne of any level of severity are hormone imbalance and toxic build up in the lymph, blood, liver, bowels and other elimination organs.

It doesn’t matter how severe the toxic build up is, the imbalance in hormones is caused due to two reasons. 1) The body starts producing too many hormones mainly male hormones that lead to the overwhelming of the sebum glands which triggers the production of excess sebum. This generally happens in our adolescent age. Adult acne are caused due to the second cause. 2) The natural hormone regulation system of the body specifically the liver, bowels, lymph stop functioning properly.

Most types of acne are caused by these two causes that of hormonal imbalance and toxic build up but the adult acne are caused by the toxic build up and the second cause, i.e. the incapability of the hormone regulation system to function properly.

But now you might ask why are you suffering from acne now? If you didn’t have acne as a teenager then it obviously means that your hormone regulation system must have been working fine then. Well, surely something must have happened that is responsible for the system to malfunction now.

If you didn’t have acne when you were a teen and are suffering from adult acne now, that only means two things, 1) There is an accumulation of toxic build up in your blood and lymph, 2) Your normal hormone regulation system is not functioning correctly.

It might be that taking steroids for a long time might have made your liver weak, or you might be taking antibiotics for a long time, or your might have faced a lot of stress lately. Or it might be any other reason, the main thing is now you are suffering from chronic hormonal imbalance and it is causing adult acne.

Cure your adult acne permanently:

Like most of the other acne types and of different severity levels adult acne too is caused due to some deep rooted internal causes which are made worse by various external or lifestyle factors. And the only way to permanently cure the adult acne is to holistically neutralize all the external and internal factors that cause acne. The holistic approach takes care of the external factors while emphasizing on putting the hormone regulation system in right order.

This is the only way you can ensure clear acne free skin forever.



GEOFFREY

Kevin Pederson asked:


Baby’s skin is the most sensitive and soft. At some time or another, most of babies do come down with diaper rashes despite our efforts to prevent them As the name implies, diaper rash is what appears in the area covered by a diaper. And almost every baby is affected by diaper rash at least once. For some it is rare occurrence, while for some babies, diaper rash is quite a frequent unwelcome guest.

The common cause of diaper rash is that the diaper area is usually covered 24 hours with a diaper; that is often wet and messy as urine mixes with *****. The warm moist setting is just perfect for diaper rash eruption.

Diaper rashes happen irrespective of whether your baby is wearing a disposable or cloth nappy.

Preventing diaper rash - - Change diapers as soon as they get wet and messy. - Wash and dry baby’s bottom, paying special attention to creases and skin folds at each change. - Avoid using too much pressure or scrubbing to the bottom of the baby. Wipe or pat gently. - Wipe from front to back, as you will avoid transferring bacteria to the ******* area. - Dont tie or secure the diaper too tightly. Allow some room for air to flow inside. - Avoid using harsh or perfumed soaps while washing cloth diapers. - Avoid plastic diaper covers. - Rinse cloth diapers thoroughly with very hot water. - Change your baby’s diaper frequently - Let your baby go bare bottom from 15min-30 min a few times a day. Exposing the baby’s skin to air is a natural way to healing.

Home remedy for treatment of diaper rash - Wash the baby’s bottom with running tap water after every bowel movement to give diaper rash relief.

- Dab dry rash area with a soft cloth and apply Vaseline or any rash-free creams or gel.

- Put some oatmeal in the bath water. Keep swishing the water around the area that has the diaper rash for about 15 minutes.

- Mix corn starch & Vaseline to make a paste. Put it on the rash and rash will be gone by the next diaper change unless it is really bad.

- Generously rub the lanolin oil over affected area. The lanolin forms a waxy coating over the area allowing it to heal and not become re-irritated with every diaper

- Pour milk of magnesia all over the rash and next diaper change, the rash will be almost healed. Use until rash is disappears.

- Wash the baby’s bottom with warm water and dry it very good. Take vegetable oil and pour it in your hand. Then apply it to the diaper rash.

- Put plenty of Vaseline on baby and diaper. This forms a waterproof layer between baby’s skin and diaper.

The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader, not the site, and the writer.



DERRICK

Matthew Smith asked:


Keratosis Pilaris is relatively unknown amongst the public however it effects around 50% of the population. Amongst the young this can be as high as 80%. It is also found in more women more than men. Generally this is found after going to the doctors complaining about bumps on your arms or other areas of your body. Keratosis Pilaris is often mistaken for acne which can be why it often goes unnoticed in most people.

Keratosis Pilaris may sound a fancy name for this illness however if you have it then you will be aware of how much of a nightmare it can be. There is no known cure for this leaving sufferers with little restbite. It can cause insecurity, depression and can ruin an otherwise normal day.

Keratosis Pilaris is caused by a build up of keratin, which is a natural protein in the skin. If your body produces too much of this cream coloured protein then you are a sufferer. Many of these bumps can also have a ingrown hair that has become trapped and coiled around the bump. As the hair cannot escape it continues to grow under your skin. Although these can be removed it may again lead to scarring.

Keratosis Pilaris cause bumps on your skin, similar to goose bumps, these can look like acne. This is often found on your upper arms but it is known to also be found on your back, chest, face, bottom and thighs. Luckily for others this is not contagious, however for those suffering there are a few treatments available.

As said earlier there is no cure for Keratosis Pilaris but a number of treatments are available to ease the suffering. These are in the form of lotions and creams that can help to limit the flare ups. Although hard to do so, some of the best treatments can be simple. Keep the area moisturized to stop the skin from drying out. Avoid scratching and picking at the bumps as this could make things worse or lead to scarring. Wear loose clothing as this will help to reduce chafing which can be the equivalent of repeatedly scratching. Avoid skin tight jeans and shirts and go for baggy, loose fitting items.

Being aware of your condition will help most. Look for suitable treatment that will help to limit exposure, take into account the tips provided and live your life to without worrying.



WINFRED

Tim Faber asked:


Skin rashes are a very common problem among people of various age groups. They often start off as flaky and dry skin which keeps peeling off and then grows onto become inflamed and swollen up. If these rashes do not receive appropriate treatment in time then it can lead to more serious problems like psoriasis, dermatitis and others.

So what causes these rashes?

The most common reason for these rashes to appear is on account of a buildup of toxins inside the body. Often, skin rashes are the body’s way of telling us that all’s not right. Some of these rashes may appear because of improper cleansing of the skin and accumulation of sweat, dirt and grime.

In certain other situations extreme climate conditions can also trigger such rashes. Like for example, in the very cold Winter months or extremely hot Summer months these rashes can appear. In other cases it could be because of an allergy to a particular kind of food because of which the body is reacting.

Skin Rash Treatments

Emu Oil is a very popular alternative when it comes to treating these skin rashes naturally. Emu Oil possesses transdermal properties on account of which it can penetrate right into the deepest layers of the skin. Besides this, Emu oil is naturally anti-bacterial and prevents inflammation on the skin - and it’s an intensive moisturizer. It can be used in combination with natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Green Tea etc.

One of the best creams available today for treatment of such rashes is the Green Tea Face Cream. It combines the soothing properties of Aloe Vera and Green Tea as well as a substance known as Argireline which together help in promoting the youthfulness of the skin cells.

Another great lotion available in the market is the Emu Moisturizing Lotion which contains Shea Butter, Aloe Butter as well as Emu Oil to help penetrate the deepest skin tissues to result in a smooth, rash free skin. These lotions and creams have natural ingredients which mean that all skin rashes can be treated without any side effects.

Preventing the spread of germs

Considering the fact that most of these rashes spread through germs from our hands it might be a good idea to invest in a good quality hand sanitizer. Try using a moisturizing hand sanitizer which contains cucumber, aloe vera or glycerine.

These ingredients soothe and calm the skin of the hands while making them soft and smooth while also preventing bacterial growth. Thus even if you touch your face you know you won’t get skin rashes!



ALEX

Groshan Fabiola asked:


As a disease chicken pox is considered not to be very harmful to a healthy pacient. Recent studies have although showed that it is the leading death bringer compared to measles, mumps, whooping cough and Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis.

Some 14,000 people are admitted each year into hospitals for chickenpox, 60% of them being children. From 1000 individuals only 5 require hospitalization, and in the worst of cases this disease can prove to be fatal. The type of people witch are at the greatest risk of dying from this disease are actually adults, followed by infants, but from the 100 pacients to die from chickenpox 40 were still children. A vaccine could be used to prevent all of these, however recent studies have shown that the number of pacients is the same in hospitals.

One of the good aspects of the disease is the fact that it actually gives immunity to the body making the chance of getting ill again from this very slim. Aside from itching a few rare complications might appear in pacients.

20% of people who have had chicken-pox might later on in their lives suffer from a reactivation of shingles.

Itching, being the most common complication of the varicella infection, can be easily alleviated with some simple home made remedies.

Secondary Infection and Scarring may also appear; small scars usually remain after the falling of the scabs but this doesn’t last long, the scars clearing up after a few month. In the case of itching there is an all other problem, Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria sometimes causing infection in the pacient. Children are the most in danger of this kind of complication because of the simple fact that they are more likely to scratch. Also in children another rare complication would be year infection leading sometimes to hearing loss.

Bacterial Superinfection is the most common serious complication of chickenpox being caused by group A streptococcus. Although mild and not very dangerous its spreading to muscle, fat or even the blood can lead to life threatening situations such as the necrotizing fasciitis (the so-called flesh-eating bacteria) but this is still very rare. Persistent or recurring high fever, redness, pain, and swelling in the skin and in the tissue beneath and even pneumonia are some of the symptoms. In the case of pneumonia the most likely people to suffer complications are pregnant women, smokers, and those with serious medical conditions, serious complications appearing in some cases caused by varicella: lung scaring that makes the pacient’s breathing very difficult.

More complications would even be brain and central nervous system damage or even strokes, but as said they are extremely rare.

For more information about chicken pox vaccine or even about adult chicken pox please review this page http://www.chicken-pox-center.com/



ISSAC

Justin Chelf asked:


Top 10 Myths About Acne

I have been treating acne in my patients for over a decade.  And during that time many patients have asked me questions related to myths that they have heard, that simply aren’t true.  Here I will address the top 10 acne myths that I have heard over the years with detailed explanations of why they are false.

Acne Myth 1 - Washing your face more often will help clear up acne

Facial blemishes are not caused by dirt. Contrary to what you may have seen in commercials, pores do not get blocked from the top down due to “impurities”. Rather, the walls of a pore stick together deep within the skin, starting acne formation. Far from preventing acne, frequent washing may actually irritate pores and cause them to become clogged. A washcloth can add even more irritation. The best bet is to wash very gently with bare hands, and only wash twice a day.

Acne Myth 2 - Stress causes acne



Stress may have an effect on hormones and theoretically can promote acne. However, an effective acne treatment regimen is more powerful than a bout of stress any day. Some psychiatric medications may have acne as a side effect, but stress itself is no big deal. Your time is better spent determining the right course of acne treatment rather than feeling guilt about stress.

Acne Myth 3 -Masturbation or *** causes acne

This antiquated notion, originating as early as the 17th century to dissuade young people from having premarital sex, is just plain wrong. Don’t believe the hype.

Acne Myth 4 -The sun will help get rid of acne

Although a tan may temporarily mask acne, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated, leading to more breakouts in the future. In fact, there’s no link between sun exposure and acne prevention, but the sun’s rays can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Always protect your skin by choosing a sunscreen of at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 that says noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label, which means it won’t clog pores.

The sun also reddens your skin, blending your skin tone with red acne marks. However, a sun burn is actually skin damage, and sun exposure can cause irritation which will make acne worse. People will often notice their skin breaking out as it heals from sun damage. The sun is a short-term band-aid which will often bite back with more acne in the weeks following exposure. However, some sun exposure is not evil. It is actually important, and we get our vitamin D from the sun. Limiting sun exposure on acne prone areas of your body is most likely prudent, but some exposure from time to time is not only unavoidable, but is perfectly okay.

Acne Myth 5 -Diet and acne are related

The bottom line is we need more research. We do know that people in some indigenous societies do not experience acne at all. This is in contrast to the widespread presence of acne throughout all modern society. It leaves us to question whether the indigenous people’s diet contributes to their acne-free skin. Discovering a dietary way of preventing acne may be a future reality.

Although eating too many sugary, high-fat foods is never a good idea, studies show that no specific food has been proven to cause acne. Every individual is different, though. Some people notice their breakouts are worse after eating certain foods — and these foods are different depending on the person. For example, some people may notice breakouts after eating chocolate, while others are fine with chocolate but notice they get breakouts after drinking too much coffee. If that’s the case for you, it can help to cut back on that food and see if it makes a difference.

Acne Myth 6 -Popping pimples will help them go away faster

Popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily, but popping can cause it to stay around longer. By squeezing pimples and zits, you can actually push bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil further into the skin, causing more swelling and redness — and sometimes causing a red or brown mark or scar to form. Sometimes marks can last for many months and true scars (dents and pits) will last forever.

Acne Myth 7 -Don’t wear makeup if you want clear skin.

As long as you choose cosmetics that are nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, they shouldn’t cause breakouts. In fact, some concealers now contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which help to fight acne. You can also try tinted benzoyl peroxide creams that hide pimples while helping treat them.

If you’ve had moderate to severe acne, though, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the best cosmetics to use — he or she may recommend avoiding cosmetics altogether or only using certain brands so you’re acne isn’t aggravated.

And even if a product is labeled nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, you should stop using it and talk to your doctor if you notice that it’s irritating your skin or seems to cause breakouts.

Acne Myth 8 - If you keep getting breakouts, it helps to use more acne medication until the breakouts stop.

Because acne medication contains drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, using too much medication may cause overdrying, leading to irritation and more blemishes.

If over-the-counter acne medication doesn’t seem to work on your acne, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Also, if you’re taking a prescription acne medication, make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions — some medications may take up to 8 weeks to make a significant difference.

Acne Myth 9 - Acne is just a cosmetic disease.



Yes, acne does affect the way people look and is not otherwise a serious threat to a person’s physical health. However, acne can result in permanent physical scars–plus, acne itself as well as its scars can affect the way people feel about themselves to the point of affecting their lives.

Acne Myth 10 - You just have to let acne run its course

The truth is, acne can be cleared up. If the acne products you have tried haven’t worked, consider seeing a dermatologist. With the products available today, there is no reason why someone has to endure acne or get acne scars.

For more information on acne, including: medication reviews and skin care tips, click here, or visit: www.skincarehelp.me.



STEFAN