Do You Have Misconceptions About Acne Scars? Check Out These Myths …

 

There are several misconceptions associated with the problem of acne scars, especially about their causes and development. Considering the very fact that it is a very common problem and it can target just anybody regardless of how old or young he/she is, it is very important for you to educate yourself on the various aspects associated with the same. You must know how to differentiate myths from reality. Following is a brief rundown on some of the most common myths and the fact behind that.

Acne Is A Contagious Disease

One of the most common misconceptions is that acne is a contagious disease and that if you get in touch with those who are suffering from such problems, you will also catch the same. This is not true at all. Acne scars do not spread by touching, shaking hands, or even kissing. The three main factors that may cause the problem include an overabundance of acne-causing bacteria, excess oil, and the retention of skin cells within the pore. You cannot catch any of these components from someone else.

Having Sex Or Masturbation May Be A Cause

Surprisingly, some people believe that masturbation or having sex may also be a cause of such skin problems. Such misconception has no logical ground at all. Probably, the reason why this kind of fable gained that much popularity is that parents use this as a threat to dissuade their young kids, especially teenagers, from getting into the habit of masturbation or having sexual relationships. The really however is that making love or masturbating does not result in acne scars. There is just no connection between them.

Dirt When Trapped In The Pores Result In Blackheads

It has also been commonly noticed that people often believe that the black top of the blackhead is actually dirt, which it is not. In reality, it is a worm-like plug within the pore that is formed because of the accumulation of sebum with dead skin cells. The changes in oil impaction may also be a reason behind it. Just like a sliced apple turns brown when exposed to air for some time, the oil implication also turns black or dark brown in color.

French Fries, Pizza, And Chocolate Can Also Be A Cause

Another misconception about acne scars is that certain diet choices, such as French fries, pizza, and chocolate may also cause acne scars. But, in reality, no proven link has been found between the two. Junk foods may not be healthy, but they don’t cause acne as well. Such scars are mainly caused by bacteria, not diet.

Some people also consider lack of hygiene as a major cause for such problems. Not cleansing your skin though is obviously not a good thing, but it does not become the cause of acne scars for you.

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The Causes Of Acne Scars And Treatments For The Different Scar Types

 

Acne scars are formed when the skins tissue is damaged or lost. There are effective procedures available but prevention is by far the best treatment. By taking control of acne early on and minimizing any chance of scaring in the future.

Acne scars come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.

Listed below is a list of 4 basic types of acne scars.

  • Box car scars
  • Ice pick scars(1-2 mm across)
  • Hypertrophic scars
  • Rolling scars (usually wider than 4mm)

The acne scars that the majority of people suffer from are the hollow kind.

There are people who can suffer from keloids, which is when the skin heals excess tissue is made leaving a raised scar.

>People with Keloids may find they run in the family and that treatment is more difficult than for depressed acne scars.

If you have any active acne that should be dealt with first before undertaking any treatment.

The skin type and type of scars an individual has will effect the type of methods to be used.

Filler substances are used for shallow acne scars, building up the tissue and leveling it out. There’s several of these fillers on the market.

More methods for depressed acne scars are surgery, dermabrasion,chemical peeling, laser, Microdermabrasion.

The removal procedure of keloids chemical peels aren’t generally used but steroids can be incorporated by injecting them into the raised area.

The method of Dermabrasion is used for an array of skin imperfections including pre-cancerous skin growths (keratoses), frown lines and wrinkles, post surgery marks, skin pigmentation, sun damage, freckles, facial scaring, tattoos, age spots, acne spot and other acne scars.

There’s several lasers on the market including the Pixel Laser Affirm Laser, and Fraxel Laser. Laser treatment has replaced many other removal techniques as it’s become more advanced.

Laser resurfacing procedure results in less problems for hypopigmentation as it removes skin very precisely, one layer at a time and is often combined with other removal techniques.

Before you do anything you need to discuss your own situation with a Dermatologist who can assess you and let you know what removal techniques are suitable for you and the results that can be expected.

So the good news is that acne scars don’t have to be endured and can be usually be treated by a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon.

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Back Acne and Acne Scars – Causes and Cures

 

Truth be told, it would be very, very surprising if some person has never, ever have had to deal with the problem of acne. Hundreds of millions of people all over the world have to deal with acne everyday. Some people have very mild acne that can hardly be noticed, while others have a lot more severe case of acne. But what’s possibly a lot more surprising is that even though such a large percentage of the population have had to endure acne from several centuries, there still is no commonly agreed cure for acne. And even what causes acne is still being hotly debated …

So What Actually Causes Acne ?

What seems to be agreed upon is that one of the main causes of acne may be a hormonal imbalance – a surge of excess male hormones in the body seems to be at least one of the many possible causes of acne.

That said, questions like "why a hormonal imbalance cause back acne not some other form of acne ? " are not yet very easy to answer. Hormonal imbalance may cause acne alright, but the body seems to somehow decide where acne should appear and this process is not very clearly understood.

But that definitely does not mean that there is no way to cure acne for good.

Acne Cures

Many people are coming around to believing that the liver plays a very key role in the prevention and control of acne. If your liver is performing at its peak efficiency, then chances are that you do not have acne. If, however, your liver is nowhere close to its peak performance and your diet contains a lot of processed foods, dairy and junk foods then you most possibly have acne.

To get rid of acne for good, you might want to restore your liver to its original health, quit junk foods and dairy products and eat lots of fresh fruits, raw vegetables and nuts – all preferably organic.

Curing Acne Scars

Curing acne is one thing, getting rid of acne scars is another. Acne scars are not very easy to get rid of. But that does not mean there is no hope. You might want to see Getting Rid of Acne Scars for more on this.

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Severe Acne Causes Three Types of Scars – Here Are Your Treatment …

 

The healing of inflammatory acne lesions can lead to the emergence of patches of pigmentation in the affected area. These changes in skin color are temporary and curable. With the right treatment, the patches disappear after a few months and do not recur.

The color changes are classified into three types:

(1) Post- inflammatory pigmentation: Results in brown pigmentation.

(2) Post- inflammatory hypopigmentation: White marks appear on the skin.

(3) Post- inflammatory erythema: Purple, or pink, patches are seen.

Treatment options for post-inflammatory pigmentation include:

Chemical peel-offs: These are face packs with glycolic acid or Jessner’s solution added to them.

Azelaic acid cream: This cream, also prescribed for treating moderate acne, is successful in treating pigmentation.

Protection from the sun: Brown marks darken under moderate to excessive exposure to the sun. Always apply an oil-free sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more before going out of the house.

Severe acne causes three kinds of scarring.

These are -

1. Ice Pick scars: Appear as a series of small pits.

2. Hypertrophic/ Keloid scars: Extremely thick, lumpy scars that protrude from the skin.

3. Atrophic scars: In contrast to keloid scars, atrophic scars are thin, flat scars.

Treatment Options

There are various treatment options for each type of scar. Most scars heal completely with the right treatment, though it may take many months for this to occur. However, in a few cases, the scar recurs, even after being successfully treated.

Here are the different ways in which the three kinds of scars can be treated.

1. Ice pick scars can be treated by:

  • Dermabrasion
  • Cutting out larger scars
  • Laser resurfacing

2. Atrophic scars can be treated by:

  • Dermabrasion
  • Increasing the soft tissue through fat or collagen implants

3. Hypertrophic, or keloid scars, are the most difficult of the three to treat successfully.

Despite apparently effective treatment, the scars are liable to recur within a short time.

Treatments that can be used are -

  • Dressing of scars with silicone gel
  • Application of strong topical steroids
  • Steroidal injections in the lesions
  • Cryotherapy (Cold therapy)
  • Surgery

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What Causes Acne Scars on the Face?

 

For some people having scars is a right of passage or a full length story that you enjoy to tell your family. Many of the ones that we have acquired were because we dropped out of a tree, cut ourselves by accident, or some other type of crazy story that people love to hear. Regrettably not every scars have a good story behind them.

Face acne scars are the worst scars that individuals have to deal with. Because they are comprised on the person’s face they make it hard for the person to feel comfortable in their own skin. Many of these individuals have self esteem problems and do all that they can to not be discovered by other individuals.

Scars are created after the skin has been torn. The scars are made as part of the healing process. Wounds that are superficial will usually have no scarring. It is merely when the dermis of the skin has been hurt that the scar will take form on the top of the skin.Face acne scars are caused by several different factors.

They can be stimulated by the papule, pustule, an inflamed lesion, or a cyst. Lesions that are inflamed will cause scars when the pores have become big due to the large number of oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. The pores will become swollen and this will cause the follicle wall to split.

The scar will begin to form when the wall breaks close to the surface of the skin. The lesion can be small and will mend rapidly. The larger lesions are caused by a much bigger collapse in the wall. Round this time the material held within will fall onto the dermis and straightaway demolish any healthy skin tissue.

In order to repair the dermis the skin will create fresh collagen fibers. Collagen is fibrous protein that assists to make the skin substantial and bendable. The new skin that comes along is not as soft as the primary and will commonly be distorted.

Sometimes the scars are constructed by an excessive amount of collagen output. This vast amount of fibrous protein will create a significant amount of new skin that is set up above the top of the skin. These face acne scars are called keloid and hypertrophic scars.

Face acne scars can also be caused by the release of skin tissue – which is commonly made by the inflammation of the skin. When there are extreme breakouts the skin will have a difficult time healing and will take much longer. The longer it takes for the skin to cure the more likely scarring will appear.

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Causes of Acne Scars

 

Visible acne scars are a real cause of stress. You must know what causes acne scars so you can prevent them. You must better educate yourself so if you know the causes of acne scars you can easily cure and heal them and not use the same type of acne scar treatment.

You can use a skin cream for acne which is effective and fine for any variety of acne scarring. Many people prefer to use acne creams, both medicated and non-medicated acne scar treatment.

You can apply an acne scar treatment when your skin is free of active acne. There can be spots that look like scars and that are not scars. You must analyze your skin and find out what types of scars you have.

Acne scars are caused by a variety of factors. Acne usually is produced on the skin because of the reaction of sebum and bacteria that produces infection. When tissue is not perfectly repaired, scars appear. You must not confuse acne scars with post inflammatory hyper pigmentation, which is a discoloration of the skin after an inflamed acne lesion is healed.

Scars appear some times because of excess of collagen, and large outgrowth may result in severe cases. They are flat, reddish spots that are the final stage of most inflamed acne lesions.

There are also small, bluish-whitish skin coloration that are not so visible, named atrophic macula. Also there are large, depressed valleys on the surface of the skin, usually jagged, named depressed fibroid scars or small, slightly raised lesions, similar in appearance to whiteheads, named follicular macular atrophy. Also gentle, small scar-like depressed valleys are named soft scars, and they are less visible.

Acne scars form at the site of an injury to tissue, which is body’s inflammatory response to sebum. Skin cells response to injury by an overproduction of collagen. Depressed scars can result if an insufficient amount of collagen fibers is created to heal the skin.

Scars can also form because loss of tissue or because increased tissue formations. Sometimes the fibers that form to replace the eroded skin can transform into an acne scar tissue. After these tissues have been created they may decrease after several years.

Acne scarring products can reduce the sight and pigmentation of acne scars, but also you must have patience, because there are not any remedies that cure acne scars fast.

To prevent these scars you must treat the acne early at its appearance, because there is a connection before how long acne lasts and the likelihood of scarring.

Do not ever squeeze or pop your pimples, because this is a very important factor in increasing the size or the number of acne scars. Apply a remedy like benzoyl peroxide or exfoliate your skin, but never squeeze your pimples, although it is very tempting to do so. As we learn about skin damage from free-radicals, scientists came to conclusion that if we use an antioxidant would help a lot in treating these post-inflammatory changes or even permanent scars.

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Acne Myths Exposed – The Truth About Sunshine

 

In the years before now, one of the most common acne and skin care treatments suggested by doctors was the exposure of one’s skin to the sun. This was thought to clear up acne, and the immediate improvements immediately following sun exposure seemed proof that the treatment worked. However, today’s dermatologists, doctors, and skin care specialists are all in agreement – sun is not good for the skin, whether acne-prone or not. So why is the sun so harmful?

The basic story is this. The sun emits electromagnetic radiation, energy that reaches the earth in a variety of wavelengths. Certain wavelengths are visible to the human eye; others seem completely invisible. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are one wavelength category of electromagnetic energy that can’t be seen by humans. UV rays have three general groupings, namely UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. All these rays can damage the skin, although UVA rays are the main concern. This is because 99% of the ultraviolet radiation that makes it through the ozone layer are of that wavelength group. Also, since UVA rays don’t cause sunburn, it is very difficult to measure the amount of exposure an individual may receive.

Skin damage occurs when ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin, causing changes in the cells and potentially even mutating their DNA, a problem which can lead to cancer. People often think of suntans as indicative of controlled exposure, while believing that only sunburns (technically called erythema) are negative for their health. Many don’t realize, however, that a suntan, like a sunburn, also indicates an injury to the skin. In fact, suntans can not be acquired without first damaging the epidermis. When UVB rays penetrate the epidermis, the skin reacts by stimulating melanin production to limit the depth of future radiation exposure. A suntan, therefore, is the skin’s reaction to injury.

While the sun may be a temporary help for acne, the long-term picture is not so good. The sun is thought to kill acne-causing skin bacteria, and to blend in new acne scars and blemishes, however continued UV ray exposure actually increases the likelihood of clogged pores as a result of increased oil production and dead skin cell retention. For those with skin prone to acne, sun exposure can be a double-edged sword; they may be reluctant to use sunscreen to avoid adding grease to their face, but the unprotected exposure actually leads to more skin damage and likely more oil, so more clogged pores and acne.

Fortunately, several products have recently been developed that promise non-comedogenic effects, meaning that they have been proven to not cause acne. In addition to sunscreens, these include several moisturizers and even makeup products like foundation that include protection of up to SPF 15. SPF, of course, stands for Sun Protection Factor, and is a measure of how long a product protects the skin against sunburn when compared to how quickly the skin would burn without that protection. SPF 15 means that a person can stay in the sun for 15 times longer than they could without that protection, and without burning. So, for instance, if a person can spend only 10 minutes in the sun without burning, SPF 15 would extend that to 150 minutes, and SPF 30 would protect the skin for up to 300 minutes. This estimate, of course, depends on physical exertion and product exposure to water, both of which could mean that sunscreen needs to be re-applied more quickly.

For those with acne problems, sun exposure is not the idealized treatment it was thought to be. In addition to aging the skin and potentially causing skin cancer, the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun can actually increase sebum production and sun-damaged skin cells can block pores. Temporary acne relief may last for the first few days after sun exposure, but acne generally returns quickly, and sometimes more severely. Acne-prone skin, just like any skin, should be protected from UV damage by using oil-free products containing a good SPF of at least 15. Covering the skin with loose-fitting clothing, and shading the face with a hat can also protect the skin. The sun is wonderful, but enjoy it responsibly and be well-aware of the risks.

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Adult Acne Myths

There are plenty of old wives’ tales concerning the development and treatment of adult acne, but are they really true and do they really work? Some people claim that certain things work like a charm, but when you try it for yourself it always come up short. Let’s take a look at some of the more prevalent adult acne myths.

You will outgrow it

Well, if you going to outgrow adult acne you probably would have done so by now. Acne begins with puberty because of the release of hormones and the development of the glands, but when puberty ends that doesn’t mean acne will stop, just that it will hopefully ease. Acne is caused by a combination of factors that aren’t related to age.

Acne is caused by what you eat

How many times have you heard someone say that your adult acne will go away if you just stop eating so much pizza and chocolate? It’s not true. Studies have found that greasy and sugary foods have no effect on acne. Unless you rub the stuff on your skin it’s not going to make it worse.

Acne is caused by oily skin

Yes, there are people who appear to have very oily skin and severe acne but it is not directly caused by how oily your skin is. Acne is caused by a combination of factors, which include the clogging of pores via a mixture of oil and dirts or pollutants. Many people with severely dry skin will also have severe acne. It doesn’t matter how much oil your skin produces, it takes an obscenely small amount of oil to clog a pore.

Alcohol will disinfect skin and reduce acne

Alcohol does kill acne bacteria, but it is also very harsh. Those who resort to rubbing alcohol on their skin are also likely to have reached the point where they are washing their face too often and scrubbing too hard. All of these factors can make existing acne appear worse. Alcohol is an irritant and can dry out your skin. Plus if you are washing your face more than twice daily you may be causing your skin to overreact and produce even more surface oils.

These are just a few of the more common adult acne treatment myths. It pays to be educated about the causes of your acne but make sure you are getting your information from the right place.

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The Truth Behind The Most Popular Teenage Acne Myths

 

Being a teenager isn’t always easy, and it can be made a lot more complicated if you suffer from acne. It seems like everyone you talk to has a favorite story about what causes acne, or how to get rid of it. The trouble is, how do you know if what people are telling you is correct? Unfortunately there are loads of myths surrounding acne, and they get repeated endlessly despite the fact that they’re not true.

So what are some of the most popular acne myths? Well, the idea that eating chocolate and fatty foods gives you acne is one of the most popular myths. In fact, studies have shown that the only food you can eat that will aggravate acne is iodized salt. Although eating a healthy diet may help to keep your body functioning well, it’s not going to stop you getting acne. It’s possible, however, that if you get an outbreak of acne whenever you eat a particular type of food, that you in fact have a food allergy. In that case, discuss it with your health professional.

Another myth is that only teenagers get acne. Did you know that infants can get acne? And also five percent of women who are over 40 still get acne, because it’s triggered by their monthly cycle. They will continue to get it until they reach menopause. Even one percent of men still get acne at the same age.

Perhaps you’ve been told that if you just improve your hygiene, your acne will go away. Again, this is a myth. In fact, washing your face too much is likely to aggravate the blemishes, and may even make the outbreak worse. The bottom line is that it’s the overproduction of body oils that clogs the pores and causes acne, and constant washing can’t change that. Another myth is that getting out in the sun helps to dry out the excess oils, but that’s wrong as well. All you’re going to do is risk getting sunburnt, premature aging and maybe even skin cancer when you’re older.

Medications such as antibiotics are often used to clear up acne outbreaks, and very often are effective. Some people say that once the acne is gone you can stop taking the medication. In fact, this is not a good idea. Just because the blemishes have cleared up, doesn’t mean the bacteria that caused them have gone too. They may have only gone into remission temporarily. So you may find if you stop taking the medication the acne will reappear within days. Only cease the medication once your doctor advises you to do so.

Of course, some myths are good for a laugh, if nothing else. My favorite is the suggestion that sex causes acne. If it did, we’d have lots more adults with pimples! The idea that stress causes acne is another myth, although it’s likely that stress can aggravate an existing acne condition. One of the silliest myths is the suggestion that the best thing is just to leave it alone, and it’ll go away. Well, it’s certainly true that you shouldn’t touch, pop or squeeze pimples, because you spread the bacteria and make the acne worse, but there are other things you can do that will reduce the severity of the outbreak. There’s no miracle cure, but you should certainly do anything you can to help the situation.

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How to Control Your Acne – Myths You Should Avoid

 

If you have been suffering from acne for quite some time, I would assume that you may have been searching and researching for that magic formula to cure your acne. What you would also realized is that there are tons of information on acne control with all different form of advice and homemade remedies.

At first you possibly may think that this is good for you so you can try several methods to treat your acne. However, when you start to try several of the so called methods you realize that most of them don’t work. This is when you will become frustrated and start to panic.

The reality is most of the remedies you see online are pure myths. That right and because the internet is a free for all, anyone can post a advice and if you are not careful, you may follow some methods that can severely harm your skin.

If you suffer from an acne problem, you are much better off understanding and rejecting the myths that surround it, so that you can get on with dealing with your problem in a factual, accurate way.

Many common myths will have you expending time and energy on treatments that won’t work, as well as depriving you of things that you truly enjoy, such as chocolate. (Good news, chocolate intake has no impact on your skin.)

*** Myth #1***You see there is a big myth surrounding acne, and that is food can cause acne. Based on research over the years, there is no direct relation with the food you eat and your skin. Now am not saying you should go ahead and eat all type of unhealthy stuff as you know there are other factors involved when it comes to your health. Diabetes and Obesity are just a few examples.

*** Myth #2*** Another popular myth circulating the internet and other places is that your skin is dirty and if you scrub hard to remove the dirt you can cure your acne. Can you believe this? You should never believe things like these. The reason is simple; if you scrub your skin too hard you can irritate the area and make your acne worse.

And those are just two of the numerous myths about acne.

So How Do You Control Your Acne?

Simply by following a healthy regime and avoid doing stuff that will harm your skin. Let me explain:

For one you need to drink a lot of water to ensure that your cells are fully hydrated and can fight off any foreign infections.

Two, you need to shower daily to remove dirt and particles from the outer surface of your skin so that they don’t clog your pores. (don’t scrub hard)

Take a multivitamin daily. This will provide your body with the essential nutrients it need to carry out its functions effectively

Don’t pop you pimples. Popping your pimples will only make your acne worse by depositing more dirt and bacteria from your finger tips into your skin.

I also cannot stress enough the importance of having healthy meals daily along with regular exercising.

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Acne Scar Solutions