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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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There has been always a debate regarding the sex and acne. The sex and acne, myths and facts have no authenticity but they are strongly believed by the people all across the world. The number one issue that comes to any male’s mind is the link between the masturbation and acne. The history of masturbation holds many bizarre and that has been a moot point. The myth is masturbation can cause blindness, mental disturbance, acne, and/or severe hair growth.

Another thing that makes people to think that having sex regularly can make one’s beard to grow faster and so more manful. Whatever this means, the sex and acne has some relation in between them. In the most across-the-board sense, there is no doubt that there is a link between male sex hormones and the texture and condition of his skin and hair. Castrates, after all, do not go bald, do not grow beards, and do not get acne! But whether sexual exercises per se put hair on the chests (or onto the palms, for that matter!) nobody exactly knows, several shelves’ still deserve authentic research papers.

It is not known that sex raises the levels of sex hormones in the body. There have been many attempts to know the link between sex and acne including the burning question like can masturbation increase hormone – testosterone in the body?" probably yes and probably no!

Even if sex increases the hormone production, nobody is dead-sure if this means it might crater the face or chrome the dome. However, some of the holistic sciences such as Ayurveda believe that over-sex can produce weakness and also lower down the immune system of the body that in turn, may result in acne formation. On the other hand, a recent survey concludes that the relation between sex hormones and characters of hairs and skins are very complicated and seek further researches and investigations.

When a person reaches his or her puberty, the body starts experiencing the hormonal changes that finally lead to the development and maturation of the sexual organs along with their prime features. These hormonal alterations might also cause acne or zits. Acne is associated with such changes and might not be linked with sexual activity then.

The truth is that during puberty, the level of sexual hormones known as androgens (particularly testosterone) is more eminent and they might heighten the sexual desire simultaneously, they also increase the production of some special body oils known as sebum. If some particular bacteria known as P. acnes are present together with this extra sebum, then this can end up into acne development. This is the only link that can be established between sex and acne. So the truth remains that the sex is not sole cause of acne and also that acne can in no way heighten anyone’s sexual desire or activity.

Many natural holistic healers favor not to have too much sex as it not only causes weakness in the body but can also give rise to other health ailments.

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Has anyone told you that eating chocolates, French fries or pizza can cause pimples?

Do not believe them because it’s nothing but a myth! Though eating these types of food may cause your acne condition to get worst, there are no studies that proves that chocolates, french fries or pizza can be considered as one of the factors that causes acne.

Based on a recent Australian study, food that are rich in carbohydrate may cause the flaring of acne. Researchers believe that excessive consumption of carbohydrate can cause the body to over produce insulin.

An effect of this abnormality is insulin resistance, wherein cells get used to high levels of insulin and will require this high level to assist glucose into the cells. When insulin level shoots up, the ovaries are then pushed to secrete more testosterone, a factor which triggers acne. This is condition is known as polycystic ovary syndrome.

There are many beliefs as to what causes acne and how to cure it. Here are 9 acne myths and facts that should solve your questions:

1. Sexual activities can cause acne

Adolescence is the period in which a person starts to take interest and explore sex. In this phase of a person’s life, the body will experience a lot of hormonal changes. For some people, these hormonal changes results in acne breakout. Thus, it is not sexual activities which trigger the onset of acne, but blame it on the hormones.

2. Make ups worsens acne

When you are using cosmetic products, you must make sure these products suit your skin type. The skin may react negatively to some skin products, which in turn causes the acne to flare. In order to avoid acne getting worse due to the cosmetic products used, it is best to look for those products labeled as non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic.

3. A dirty face leads to acne

Having acne does not mean you have a poor facial hygiene. Take for example Black Heads. Black heads are actually just portions of your skin that has excess melanin, with the pigment providing your skin’s natural color. It is a myth that acne can be solved by excessive cleaning and scrubbing.

As a matter of fact, your condition could become worse. Too much facial washing can lead to dry skin. Washing the face two times a day with a gentle soap is sufficient. It should be kept in mind that the causes of acne do not lay above the skin. Rather, the causes of acne are those that affect the oil glands found below the surface.

4. The only cure for acne is just letting it cure itself

Though acne will disappear on its natural course, laying it all on natural healing can cause scars and dark spots on the face. It is not true that there is no remedy for acne. In fact, there are thousands available in the market! However, consultation with a doctor is important before trying these treatments.

5. Only teenagers will get affected

A person can get acne at any age even past adolescence. In fact, statistics show that 25% of those with ages 25-44 years have acne. Menstrual cycle is one example of the cause of acne breakout for women. During menstruation, hormones fluctuate. Birth control pills and other medications also contribute to acne in adults.

6. The fastest way to get rid of pimples is to squeeze it

This is not true! In fact, this can even lead to inflammation and permanent skin damage such as scars developing on your face. It may be tempting to prick a pimple, but the risk of having a permanent mark on the skin is there!

7. Exposure to the sun helps treating acne

Though the sun can dry up existing pimples, it does not prevent new ones from coming out. In fact, it could get worse because the exposure to sunlight can even cause acne to get worse since the use of acne treatments makes the skin more sensitive. If you want to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sunlight, it is advised to put on sunscreen lotions with at least SPF of 15.

8. Stress causes acne

Stress does not directly cause acne. However, drugs taken to address stress may have side-effects, one of which is acne.

9. Acne is caused by certain kinds of food

Studies have no solid proof on the correlation between acne and food, though it has been observed that certain types of food cause acne to worsen. For the food types, if a person is not sure of whether it has a negative effect, avoid this particular food for 2-4 weeks and check if no intake of this food improves the skin condition. If improvement is seen, eat a small amount of this food just to confirm if it gives rise to negative effects. As researches say, diet is an important factor to treat acne!

So for those out there who love eating chocolates, French fries or pizza, there is nothing to worry about! Go enjoy these foods and not worry about pimples!

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People make up a lot of assumptions when it comes to the proper care for acne. Acne myths are not hard to come across and most of you might actually still believe in a few of them.

Here are the top 5 acne myths that are commonly cycled around from one ear to another. Break these myths before you waste time and money on various products that may not work as well as you need.

1. Not Taking Showers Everyday Causes Acne

The truth is, those who actually over clean their skin more than twice a day might actually be irritating the skin even more.

If you are washing your face too often, lay off the soap and switch to something unscented and not harmful on your skin. Proper hygiene is important on an overall basis, but not detrimental to your skin.

2. Stress Causes All Acne

While you may think that the acne you have currently is due to stress, take a look at your stress pills or medications. Common medications designed to keep stress levels down can increase the amount of acne that you have. Acne myths commonly get mixed up like this, but can easily be sorted out.

3. There is a Cure for Acne

Now this is the most common acne myths that you will ever hear. There is not cure for this condition but there are plenty of methods to treat and care for your skin. Proper skin care can help keep breakouts to a minimum so you can walk with your head held high.

4. Popping Pimples is the Best Treatment

Think about the amount of dirt that you have all over your hands throughout the day. When you go to touch or pop a zit you are transferring that dirt onto your face. Most specialist will tell you NEVER touch your face or pop a pimple. If you need to, use a hot washcloth to keep the swelling down.

5. Chocolate Causes Acne

Talk to your doctor for a few minutes about the benefits of dark chocolate and you will find that it can actually help you live longer.

Chocolate is commonly confused as one of those nasty acne myths. Eat chocolate in moderation and make sure you keep your face clean. Keep these common myths in mind when you are looking around for proper acne treatment.

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One of the most common acne misconceptions was that the syndrome stemmed from poor hygiene. Even as you read right now you may still be of that opinion, yet there is no scientific evidence to prove that this is entirely true. Although for a fact, poor hygiene may contribute to the worsening of the condition, it has not been proven as a cause.

Another acne misconception is the idea that it is caused by a wrong type of diet. This is even a touchier subject because there are still a lot of physicians who believe it to be true, in spite of a yawning absence of any scientific data to prove it. You may treat acne with some dietary control approaches, but the results are unfounded by research.

In ancient times, acne was once thought to be a curse from the gods, and patients were sometime treated like lepers. This did not last very long because it was soon found that a lot of people with whom the gods had no reason to be angry also had the disorder, especially pregnant women who developed the eruptive skin condition as a symptom of pregnancy. Another common thought from the past was that bursting the pimples was a good way to get rid of them. This was also quickly discarded because the acne mostly got worse when you squeezed them.

Treating this skin condition in modern day is mainly a development that was garnered from the errors and successes of the past. A lot of treatment procedures have been perfected over time, and some have been dumped as worthless, but I still would never laugh at the struggles of the peoples of those times. You have your acne cure creams and lotions because they burnt their skins to cure their acne back in the day. Talk about paying the price those days for the better solutions today!

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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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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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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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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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