Acne Myths People Still Believe

Even though acne is common, it doesn’t mean that all the information available about it out there is true. We debunk some myths some people still believe about acne here.

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that’s common and affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. However, with this commonality comes a lot of misinformation floating around about what causes acne and how to treat it.

At Integrated Dermatology of 19th Street located in Washington, DC, our team of dermatologists and acne experts want to bust these myths and help you know how to properly care for your acne and your skin. In this blog, we correct some misinformation that you can stop believing about acne.

Myth: Acne is only found in teenagers

While acne can be linked to hormonal shifts, adult acne is still pretty common. In fact, research tells us that 50% of people ages 20-29, 35% of people ages 30-39, and 26% of people ages 40-49 deal with acne breakouts. This is because acne can be linked to an increase in sebum – oil glands in the skin – which is caused by hormone fluctuations.

While fluctuating hormones are most common during puberty, it’s still more than possible for it to occur during adulthood.

Myth: Washing your face more clears acne

Washing your face and keeping it clean is still a part of good skincare and can keep acne at bay. However, if you’re washing your face more than twice a day or you’re using harsh products, it can dry out and irritate your skin causing more breakouts.

You should aim to wash your face twice a day with mild soap and use warm – not hot – water.

Myth: Your diet causes acne

Many people have long believed that chocolate, dairy, and greasy foods have been at the bottom of their acne breakouts. However, there is simply no research to support this.

While having a diet consistently high in these foods can lead to inflammation (and acne is an inflammatory condition), eating these foods on occasion won’t cause you to instantly have an acne flare-up.

Myth: Tanning clears up acne

Tanning might make it seem like your acne is cleared up, but it’s still lingering underneath the surface. If anything, laying out in the sun can dry out your skin, leaving it more irritated and increasing your chance of breakouts. In addition, increased sun exposure can further damage your skin and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Luckily, there are a number of fact-based treatment options if you’re struggling with acne. To learn more, give us a call at 202-955-6995 or use our online scheduler to set up an appointment today.