Common Acne Myths

If you were like most teenagers, then you probably spent much of your adolescence dreaming of the day when your skin would clear up and you wouldn’t have to worry about a wayward pimple or blemish ruining your plans for the evening. Flash forward to your 20s, 30s or even 40s, and you might still find yourself waiting for that day.
One of the biggest acne myths out there is that pimples only affect teenagers. In reality, acne can be a lifelong concern. Even babies and older adults occasionally break out.

Given how common the issue is, it’s no surprise that a lot of acne myths and misconceptions have cropped up over time. From the best way to care for acne to what makes it better or worse, here are some of the more common acne myths out there.

You Can and Should Pop Pimples

If you’ve ever looked at YouTube, you’ve probably seen videos by Dr. Pimple Popper. In her videos, she pops the zits and addresses other skin issues of her patients. Unfortunately, seeing those videos of a professional in action may have encouraged some people to take matters into their own hands.

While popping a pimple can be a cathartic experience and can seem like a good idea, it’s definitely not something to try at home. There’s a big difference between a professional dermatologist extracting a pimple and trying it yourself at home. When you pop a pimple, you release all the pus and bacteria inside of it. This releases the pressure, but also creates the opportunity for infection.

Also, popping your pimples makes it more likely that scarring will occur and extends the healing time. If you do have a nasty pimple, you can apply a spot treatment to it. Spot treatments usually contain a higher concentration of the active ingredient in acne-clearing face washes. They work by either killing the bacteria in a pimple or by drying it out.

You Can’t Eat ____ if You Have Acne

Potato chips, coffee and chocolate are just a few of the foods that have been blamed for causing acne and breakouts in the past. The good news is that there’s probably very little or no connection between your chocolate or coffee habit and your acne.

More recently, dairy products have been blamed for triggering breakouts or making acne worse in adults. If you are concerned about pimples and you eat dairy, it can be worth discussing the possible connection with your doctor. For some people, the benefits of eating dairy far outweigh the risks of a few pimples. It’s always a good idea to talk to a doctor before you cut any major food groups out of your diet.

Getting Some Sun Is a Good Way to Treat Acne

It’s easy to see why so many people believe the myth that sun exposure is a good treatment for acne. When you get some sun, your skin is more likely to turn red, the same color as your blemishes. The redness masks, but doesn’t treat or cure the acne.

In some cases, the sun can actually make acne problems worse. For example, the sun’s rays can tan the skin, which may cause hyperpigmentation of acne scars. The sun’s rays can also directly contribute to the formation of certain types of acne.

Whether you’re dealing with an active breakout or not, it’s always a good idea to slather on the sunscreen before you head outdoors.

If You Have Adult Acne, You’re Stuck With It

Annoyingly enough, adult acne can be more difficult to treat than teenage acne. It might seem as if nothing works anymore, or even makes your acne worse. Sometimes, people just accept that they have acne and stop trying to do anything about it.

The good news is that you can successfully treat adult acne. It might be challenging to find the right mix of skincare products and in-office treatments, but it’s not impossible. Working with a plastic surgeon and team of trained aestheticians allows you to find the treatment routine that is going to be the most effective. It might take some trial and error, but it can be done.

In Houston, Texas, Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique offers a variety of acne treatments, such as chemical peels, intense pulsed light, and facials. To learn more about what you can do about your acne, call 281-810-9083 to schedule an appointment at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique today.