Proactiv 

The Truth About Acne

Many people with acne don't understand it very well. Years of shame and whispers about acne have created endless pages of myths and misunderstandings. Many of these myths and home-spun tales can lead to bigger skin problems. Does food cause acne? What about dirt? Does dry skin cause acne? Does tanning help acne? Learn how to the myths from the facts in order to fight it properly.

Myth: Acne is caused by dirt

Fact: Dirt doesn't cause acne. Skin gets dirty and is cleansed. In fact, your skin is regularly dirtying and cleaning itself, shedding dead cells and then producing its own oil to nourish and hydrate the skin. It's when these processes get off-balance, something not caused by rolling in the mud, that pores can clog and the cycle of acne can begin.

Tip: Rather than avoiding dirt, avoid over-washing or stripping your skin's natural oils with harsh alcohol. This just causes more imbalance and can actually make blemishes worse.

Myth: Acne is caused by certain foods

Fact: Let's just get this out there - food is not one of the causes of acne. Chocolate does not cause acne. You should know that scientists have never found a connection between diet and acne.

Tip: Eating healthy foods provides essential vitamins and minerals that nourish your skin, just as they do they rest of your body. Don't be afraid to indulge every now and then.

Myth: Only Teenagers Get Acne

Fact: Anyone can get acne. Over 85% of all people 12-24 have acne, but it can also reoccur or even start as late as your 30s. It's estimated that one in four adults between the ages of 25 to 44 experiences acne in a cycle that lasts an average of 20 years!

Tip: Don't be afraid to seek out treatment, whatever your age. There is no cure for acne, so living with acne is about controlling it with full face, daily use of medicines that are powerful enough to kill acne bacteria but gentle enough to use everyday.

Myth: Spot Treatment Works Best

Fact: There are 10 million pores on your face. You have a better chance of winning the lottery than picking the one pore that will clog. This is especially true given blemishes take 2-3 weeks to develop. With spot treatments you are, in effect, treating a symptom (an old symptom) rather than the causes of acne. Proactiv customers understand that the best way to clear acne is to stop blemishes from developing in the first place by treating your whole face every day, even when you aren't breaking out.

Tip: Spot treatments are akin to getting fillings to deal with dental care - a solution that is too late in the making. Using acne fighting skin care daily will help prevent breakouts and keep your face and body clear of acne - largely eliminating the need for spot treatments.

Myth: Acne is Cosmetic, so it's really not a big deal.

Fact: This probably seems funny to many of you who have dealt with the frustration and humiliation that can accompany acne breakouts. Acne is a bacterial infection. And while not a serious health threat, it can have long-term cosmetic consequences in both how you feel about yourself and in the form of scarring and discoloration.

Tip: Don't let anyone discourage you from seeking treatment. Whether by ordering dermatologist-created Proactiv or making an appointment with your doctor, please seek help. You'll be glad you did.

Myth: Sun Exposure Helps Clear Acne

Fact: While small amounts of sun exposure may initially improve acne by drying the skin, it also drains the skin of much its natural oil moisture which can throw the skin further out of balance. In that way, continuous sunbathing often increases plugging of the pores, producing blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples.

Tip: The sun is many things, but "effective acne cure" is not one of them. The fact of the matter is that the risks of sun exposure outweigh its minimal acne and oil-drying benefits. For that reason, those with acne-prone skin are ALWAYS encouraged to use sunscreen. For acne-prone skin, use noncomedogenic (non-pore clogging) products.

Myth: Acne is Curable

Fact: Not yet, but don't lose hope as it can be contained. Unlike previous generations, today you can prevent and control acne with continued daily use of products such as Proactiv.

Tip: Even if your blemishes go away, your acne is not cured. Given the typical blemish takes 2-3 weeks to develop, just because your skin is clear doesn't mean you aren't dealing with an acne infection. It's important to be diligent about your skin care routine, even when your skin is clear.

Source: Acne Myths Cleared Up, Proactive.com