Debunking Common Acne Myths

Acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions worldwide. Whilst most suffers are aged 12-25 it can affect people throughout their adult lives – particularly women. Acne can lead to low self-esteem and low confidence, and suffering from acne can be incredibly stressful. In turn stress can be a trigger for a breakout.

There are a lot of acne myths out there – the majority of which couldn’t be further from the truth. We’ve debunked a handful of the most common myths out there regarding acne.

Myth #1 – Acne is a sign of poor hygiene

A common myth is that acne is linked to hygiene – which is absolutely not true. Acne is triggered by overactive sebaceous glands, located just below the skin. These are stimulated by your hormones, which leads to blockages. Whilst a good skincare routine can be beneficial to acne it is important to know that acne is not related to personal hygiene.

Myth #2 – Acne only affects teenagers

As mentioned above, whilst acne is common in teenager it can also affect adults. Women are particularly prone to adult acne. Acne is related to hormones and therefore any surge in hormones can lead to a breakout. Studies vary, but as a rough estimate adult acne can affect between 29-50% of women (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology).

Myth #3 – Medication is the best way to cure acne

Common treatments include specialist skincare, prescriptive medications – both oral and topical –and laser therapy. These are usually supported by recommendations of lifestyle and diet changes. However recently there has been a rising suspicion that acne may be becoming resistant to the antibiotics regularly prescribed as a treatment. Having been the ‘go-to’ treating for doctors over the years, acne bacteria are rapidly becoming resistant to treatment as a result of both failure to complete a course and mutations.

That’s not to say all hope is lost. Laser treatment such as N-Lite targets the bacteria in active acne – reducing the p.acne bacteria that causes spots. At the same time it stimulates collagen growth to help prevent scarring. In each session the whole face can be treated, which kills the bacteria and prevents the likelihood of the infection spreading.

We usually recommend N-Lite Laser be used alongside Jan Marini products, which compliment the treatment to produce the best results. We stock the full range in clinic and can provide personal recommendations as to which products would be best for you. We also offer microdermabrasion and skin peels, both of which can superficially assist in the treatment of acne.

Myth #4 – Acne is caused by a poor diet

One of the most common acne myths is that acne is a result of poor diet. Acne is not a direct result of a poor diet. However eating a balanced diet and keeping hydrated is good for your overall health – which in turn can have a positive effect on your skin.

Myth #5 – Acne is caused by wearing makeup

Just as hygiene is not linked to acne, neither is wearing makeup. Whilst some products can clog your pores (particularly heavy base products) that doesn’t mean you have to avoid makeup all together. Products labelled as being non-comedogenic haven’t been found to promote acne – and therefore are preferable for those prone to breakouts.

Whilst it is fine to wear makeup if you suffer from acne there are some guidelines which you should aim to follow. Before applying makeup you should always make sure to clean your hands, to limit the amount of bacteria which could be applied to your face. At the end of each day your makeup should be thoroughly removed.

At Skin Medical we employ medical nurse practitioners to offer full skin consultations. The practitioner will be able to offer you personalised advice and design a treatment plan, incorporating both N-lite laser and products, which suits your skin type.

To book a consultation with a medical nurse practitioner please contact the clinic on 0161 839 7663 or click here to book online.