Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Outdated Acne Advice We All Still Believe




1. Old-school wisdom: Your diet causes acne.

Face facts: This one's a mixed bag. While there isn’t enough research on this particular topic, the acne-and-diet connection has been a consideration since late 1800s —and it may be a factor if your complexion is suffering. After all, acne outbreaks have been associated with dairy products, refined sugar, and high glycemic loads (think danger foods like white bread and cookies). Skincare experts do say the best bet for clearer, more luminous skin, however, is to stick to a healthy diet full of colorful veggies, fruits, and healthy fats, and remember to also drink lots of water.


2. Old-school wisdom: It’s OK to pop a pimple. 

Face facts: Well, yes and no. When a big ol’ zit strikes, one of the hardest things to do is to avoid messing with it and ultimately popping it. But poking and prodding may just make matters worse by damaging the tissue surrounding the area. It can also lead to a skin infection and scarring. The bottom line: It’s really best to leave your blemishes alone.That said, One thing to note: If your pimple is deep and painful, don’t touch it. See a dermatologist to bring out the heavy artillery (prescriptions or other plans of attack like cortisone shots).

3. Old-school wisdom: Touching your face causes acne.

Face facts: Yup, there's truth in the look-but-don't-touch approach to skincare. Dermatologists and skincare professionals far and wide agree: Touching your face can lead to breakouts—even if your hands are clean. Basically, every time you touch your face, you’re introducing whatever germs you’ve come in contact with directly onto your skin. Break the habit for a clearer, smoother complexion.

4. Old-school wisdom: Distress to stop acne flare-ups.

Face facts: This advice is solid and stands the test of time: As if it weren’t bad enough on its own, stress actually can lead to breakouts, too. Stress elicits an inflammatory response that can make the walls of your clogged pores break and the area redden and fill with pus. (Gross, we know.) 


5. Old-school wisdom: You can “dry out” acne by sunbathing.

Face facts: Simply put, this is 100 percent wrong. A sun-kissed glow might mask the problem by making zits less evident—but it’s by no means an acne treatment. In fact, it may actually mess with your skin by making it produce more oil. Plus, soaking up those rays is bad for your overall well-being (ahem, skin cancer) and appearance (s’up, wrinkles, freckles, and discoloration), and it can be especially problematic if you’re using acne medications. These meds can boost your odds of burning and your chances of getting all the no-fun cosmetic and health issues previously listed. So laying out in the hopes of zapping some zits really isn’t the best course of action.

Source: http://greatist.com/grow/acne-myth-busters

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