Health and Fitness

You may be wondering if it is really that big a problem. Acne may not be life threatening but it can cause scarring and breakouts if not treated properly. Not to mention the damage to your self-esteem this problem can cause as well.

It is very important that it be given proper treatment. And this can only happen if you understand the cause of this skin condition and know some effective ways to treat it.

Here are Some Common Misconceptions About This Skin Condition

Stories abound about what causes acne. These stories could have been passed down from parent to child and moved around in the school hallways. The followings however are simply not true and do not necessarily contribute to skin outbreaks:

- They say that sun will improve you skin. The fact is, the sun can even cause more harm than good on your skin. And this has been documented many times. So this is just not true. It does not cure nor improve your skin. It can only mask the acne symptoms.

- Another myth is that of poor hygiene. Just because you don’t wash your face does not mean it can cause acne. In fact, the opposite is true. What may contribute to this skin problem is frequent washing. Twice a day is enough. And you have to do it gently.

- Poor Diet is another myth. You’ve probably heard that eating pizza, chocolate or French fries can cause pimples. The best option is to practice eating a well balanced and healthy diet.

- Another misconception is stress. Again, it is not true that stress causes acne. There is no scientific evidence to support it.

So What Causes This Skin Problem?

Generally, when the skin’s pores are clogged bacteria and oil are trapped. When this happens, skin conditions like whiteheads, pimples and other blemishes occur. This will then result in inflammation caused by white blood cells sent by the body to the clogged pore.

Effective Treatments

Finding treatments for this skin condition abound in the market and sometimes involve some trial and error. Below are some effective ways to find which treatment will work wonder for you:

1. Wash your face gently with a mild cleanser.

2. Avoid touching, squeezing or playing with the blemishes.

3. Use cosmetics labeled noncomedogenic.

4. Whichever treatment you pick, use it as directed and for enough time to determine if it works.

5. If after 8 weeks there is no improvement, then look for a different solution.