8 Acne Myths and Truths

Young woman with acne

Do you struggle with pimples, zits, blackheads, or breakouts?
Are you frustrated with your current skincare routine and dealing with frequent breakouts?
Nobody is happy when a pimple pops up out of the blue. Of course, they usually appear right where everyone can see them, and at the worst times. The reality is pimples are a prevalent skin condition. When you hit your adolescent years, you likely heard many theories on what causes acne.
Although they may appear visibly different, pimples, blackheads, and zits are mostly caused by clogged pores. However, it is not that simple.

How Pimples Form and What Causes Them

Many people still blame zits on what you eat, the amount of exercise you get, or how many times you wash your face in a day. The truth is, none of these assumptions are to blame for blemishes.
Pimples and zits usually occur due to a combination of physical health elements beyond your control, causing clogged pores. According to medical journals, long before you see a pimple appear, it was festering under your skin for two or three weeks.
Before it made it to the surface of your skin, the blemish began forming in your pores or your sebaceous hair follicles. You have a sebaceous oil gland hidden within each of your follicles. That oil gland is what produces sebum. Sebum is the oil gland that makes your skin flexible and moist. As your skin cells shed, your body replenishes them over and over. Usually, these dead skin cells shed right away to make way for the new cells. But, if they shed unevenly, the cells and your natural essential oil will clump together.
Once the combined cells and oil clump together, they form a plug, like a cork in a bottle. The plug then fills the pores with the bacteria and oil inside the hair follicle, causing swelling. During this time, your skin continues to produce its own natural essential oil. Your immune system then produces white blood cells to attack foreign bacteria. That is when the inflammation starts, and the pimple forms. It takes that entire process for a pimple to develop on the skin surface.
Now that you know why you get pimples, let’s clarify some of the myths about acne.

Acne Myth 1: Adults Do Not Get Pimples

False. Adult acne is no myth. Adults still get pimples throughout their lives. However, acne and pimples appear differently when you are 40 versus when you were 16. As an adult, pimples are more likely to be reddish bumps around your jaw and mouth.
When you were younger, you may have had blackheads and zits spread out over your face.
There are various reasons why adults get zits.
Changes in your hormone levels and stress are two of the main culprits. Also, stopping or changing birth control pills and menopause are two possibilities.

Acne Myth 2: Drinking Soda and Eating Chocolate Causes Acne

Chocolate has for years now been one blame for zits. So, is the bad rap justified?
No. There has not been any evidence proving chocolate alone causes pimples. Isn’t that fantastic news for chocolate lovers?
Do not go off your diet just yet, though. There has been much chatter about the connection between soda, your health, and pimples over the years. While no medical studies have proven that drinking soda is the sole culprit behind skin breakouts,  it is not healthy for your body or skin. Soda is full of sugar, which will trigger your hormones. Disrupted hormones lead to inflammation as well as clogged pores in your skin.

Acne Myth 3: Stress Can Cause Acne

Fact. There is a connection between stress and pimples. In fact, stress is one of the leading culprits when it comes to pimples and adults. Here’s why.
Zits appear when your body is under stress due to the boost of your stress hormones. Such increases throw off your equilibrium. That much of a surge will cause many changes, such as increases in blood pressure and weight gain.
Stress causes an increase in your skin’s oil production, which will clog your pores, which leads to pimples.

Acne Myth 4: Don’t Wear Sunscreen

False. Anytime you get overexposure to the sun, you are damaging your skin. Once that damage happens, the skin becomes irritated. In the following weeks, your skin will begin reacting to the damage from over-exposure.
Due to this reaction, you will more than likely have pimples appear. It is ok to enjoy being outdoors, but do it in moderation without getting sunburned. Overexposure can also cause premature wrinkles.
Adding a good sunscreen to your skincare regime will help protect your skin from UV rays and prevent breakouts. If you find your skin is damaged from sun exposure, our cosmetic laser is a great option to consider.

Acne Myth 5: You Are Not Washing Your Face Enough

False. It would be best if you only washed your face twice a day. Cleaning more than that will dry out your skin and not help you get rid of pimples.
Clogged follicles are not usually a result of grime and dirt on the surface of your skin. It would be best if you cleaned your face with non-irritant cleaners without scrubbing very hard. Never rub too vigorously!

Acne Myth 6: You Should Not Wear Makeup

Fact. There are some products out there that can aggravate the skin, causing pimples: especially thick liquid foundations and heavy makeup such as stage or costume type.
These heavy foundations clog the pores, which can cause acne. It would be best to try a looser foundation made with minerals that won’t irritate your skin. Makeup made with toxic ingredients can aggravate breakouts, making them worse. It’s best to look for makeup containing natural ingredients that won’t irritate your skin.

Acne Myth 7: Scrubbing Your Face Will Clear Acne

False. Over-scrubbing your face is one of the worst things you can do. Scrubbing your face can spread bacteria across the skin, making matters worse. It can also cause further irritation.
A woman receiving a cosmetic laser treatment for her acne.

Acne Myth 8: You Can Go To The Cosmetics Counter For a Remedy

Fact. Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it is good for your skin. There are plenty of affordable brands that contain safe ingredients and get the job done.
However, talking to a skincare professional may be necessary if you’re dealing with cystic acne or scarring.

Treat Your Skin With Kindness

Our team of skin care professionals at SD Botox is ready to help you achieve a healthier appearance with multiple treatment options.
We have all the expertise to treat your skin care needs.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation at 1-844-SDBotox / Book Online Now!