Pimples: Myths and Reality
Not everything people tell you about pimples is true. Read this and see how many false stories about acne you’ve been told.
First Myth: Poor hygiene habits are responsible for my pimples. FALSE.
This isn’t a harmless myth, because people who believe it will spend hours of their lives washing their skin, which can actually make their skin worse. Dirt and oil on your skin’s surface do not cause pimples, and all that scrubbing will irritate your skin and make it more prone to breaking out. Follow a reasonable regimen of skin care by using a mild soap to wash your face twice a day. Don’t scrub and don’t rub it hard with a towel to dry it. Instead, pat it dry, and afterward apply a recommended skin medication.
Second Myth: Pimples are caused by stress. FALSE.
Although your hormones are affected by stress, they can’t cancel out the effects of a quality pimple product. The only possible exception is some antidepressant medications may cause pimples. So don’t stress out over stress causing your acne. Put your energy into finding ways to treat it.
Third Myth: Your pimples are the result of your poor dietary habits. FALSE.
There is no scientific literature that conclusively proves a dietary connection to acne. That includes foods traditionally thought of as provoking acne like pizza, fried foods, and chocolate. It’s true that you might have a food allergy that aggravates your pimples. If this is true, avoid those foods. And there are other good reasons to eat a healthy diet. But don’t keep tinkering with your diet and expect your pimples to go away as a result.
Fourth Myth: Sunbathing is good for acne. FALSE.
You should only get enough sun on your skin to replenish your vitamin D levels. Recent studies have recommended 10 to 30 minutes per day depending on whether you have fair or dark skin. Anything more may damage your skin. It may even cause irritation which will make your pimples worse. Although you might see temporary improvement if you get a sunburn (because sunburn and acne are both red), your skin will probably respond to sun damage by breaking out even more. So don’t be afraid to go out in the sun, but limit your exposure to safe levels.
Fifth Myth: There’s nothing you can do to make your pimples go away. FALSE.
Although there’s no true cure for acne, there are many products available that will greatly improve it. If you’ve been using over-the-counter acne products and they aren’t working for you, a dermatologist is the next step. There are some powerful prescription medications out there that can make your life easier and give you a better chance at preventing acne scars.