AcneFacts is a  website that provides facts and resources to acne problems and  tips for clear skin.  It is solely for educational purpose and not meant to substitute personal medical advice.

Common Myths About Acne

Certain Food Worsen Acne

It is a commonly myth that oily, deep-fried food, chocolates, nuts and sweets aggravate acne.  Till date, there is no scientific proof that diet plays a significant role in acne.  Hence you are not required to follow a rigid food restriction simply because you have acne. 

However for general health and wellness, it is important to have a balance diet rich in fiber and low in fats, salt and refined sugar.

Avoid All Make-Up

Yes it is true that certain cosmetics aggravate acne. It is useful to avoid oil-based make-up especially occlusive foundations. However you do not need to abstain from using make-up totally. You can still use loose power without major problem.

When you shop for skin care and cosmetic products, go for brands that own by well establish firms which have tested their products extensively. Purchase products that are labeled “non-cosmedogenic” or “specially formulated for oily skin”.

Sun Exposure Worsen Acne

There is no medical evident to suggest that people with acne should avoid the sun. However it is true that excessive sun exposure may causes more severe black marks during the healing process. It is recommended that if you need to go under the hot sun, use non-oily sun protection cream or lotion to minimize sun-related skin problems. We recommend sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Facial Treatments by Beauticians Help Clear Acne

It is usually safe if you beautician do simple procedure that involve cleansing and extraction of blackheads. However if she do indiscriminating squeezing of inflamed acne lesions, it may worsen the condition. Facial treatments are generally not necessary in the overall treatment of acne.

Use of Oil Blotter Worsen Acne Condition

There is no evidence to suggest that oil blotters make acne worse or they cause more oil to be produced. Oil blotters simply remove excess oil from your skin and it is temporary. It reduces the “shine” caused by the oil on your face.

Avoid Antibiotics

For severe acne problem, doctors may prescribe antibiotics when the sufferer of acne does not response to topical treatment. And antibiotics have proven to be effective and have been used with good safety records for more than 30 years without any long-term harmful effect. Your doctor will monitor your progress when he gives you oral antibiotics and will stop treatment once the inflammatory lesions are clear.

Dark Foods Cause Pigmentation after Acne

While I was a teenage, I got lots of acne on my face – the red, inflamed and painful one. And I was often told by adults to avoid dark-colored foods such as soy sauce and black beans – to prevent black marks from appearing during the healing process. Today I know this the absolute not true.

The black marks or pigmentation is actually the result from the inflammation rather than the ‘stain’ from the food we eat. This post-inflammatory black mark is common after any form of injury to the skin and it is especially obvious for darker Asians skin.