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Acne can be quite a controversial topic. It is a topic that has many different opinions, ideas, and myths surrounding it. Everyone seems to be an expert in one way or another, or knows how to treat it and what causes it based on their own experiences or what they have been told or read about. It's time to put the rumors and myths to rest on this topic.
Let's get started by reviewing what acne is and what causes it.
For people with normal skin types the pores shed about one layer of dead skin cells per day inside the pore. For people with acne-prone skin the pores shed up to five layers of dead skin cells per day inside the pore.
Because the pore is shedding so much the body can't keep up and the pore becomes clogged with the excess skin cells and oil. When the skin cells keep shedding at this faster rate it creates a trap for the oil, so the skin cells and oils get stuck inside the pore, when the blockage occurs this becomes the perfect environment for the P. Acnes bacteria.
The oil is a nutrient to them, so the bacteria doesn't cause the acne but it contributes to it. This creates non-inflamed acne lesions beneath the surface of the skin. If the bacteria are present the non-inflamed lesions will form blackheads and/or whiteheads. The presence of the dead skin cells and oil with the bacteria creates the inflamed acne, pimples, pustules, and/or cysts that we then see on the surface of the skin.
Myth: Acne is caused by poor hygiene and not washing your face
Fact: Acne is an inherited condition of the skin, because people with acne prone skin have pores that shed skin cells at 5 times the rate of normal pores. A person with acne can wash their face multiple times a day and it won't stop the formation of acne. Acne needs to be managed with the correct treatment plan and set of products that will stop the acne from forming deep in the pores.
Myth: Coconut oil will help treat acne
Fact: Coconut oil is great for a lot of things, treating acne is not one of them. Coconut oil does have antibacterial properties and others benefits such as lauric acid, capric acid, and capryllic acid which are antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antifungal as well. It can help boost your immune system, improve digestion, and more. However, it DOES not treat acne, in fact it is highly comedogenic, it will clog pores and cause breakouts.
Myth: Miracle acne fix, get rid of acne in a few days.
Fact: Acne takes between 30 and 90 days to form. A pimple that you see today likely started about three months ago. Even if you start the Face Reality program and are preventing new acne from forming you still have three months of acne to treat that can and will come to the surface. This doesn't mean your treatment isn't working if you have a breakout, it is likely acne that had already started forming 30-90 days prior and is working its way to the surface now. Keep using your products as directed by your skin care specialist and remember if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Myth: Acne is caused by fast food and sweets.
Fact: Certain foods can make your acne worse, however it is not specifically the type of food that cause the breakouts it is the iodine in the foods that do. A diet high in iodines can make acne worse. Some studies suggest a diet high in sugars and fast foods can make acne worse, but as we learned earlier they are not the cause.
Myth dermatologists know everything about acne
Fact: Acne is the number one reasons people see dermatologists, however this does not make them an expert in acne. Unless the dermatologist specializes in acne and has decided to focus their practice on the area they likely are not experts on it. Acne is just one area that a dermatologist has to study and understand out of many skin issues.
If you want to learn more about acne check out the acne information resource from Face Reality here.
If your ready to finally ready to have clear skin and results from an acne program please click here to learn more about the Face Reality Acne Clinic at Brilliant Bodywork. Check out this before and after photos from one of our clients.
