Acne Help

dermatologist advice

They say if you want to spread a rumor tell a teenager and it will be spread across the town by the next morning.  True or not, there are a lot of myths, half truths and misnomers about acne which continue to be circulated by the group most likely to suffer with acne.  The problem is acne myths are generally not true and can be very misleading.  When searching for “how to treat acne”, taking the advice of a fellow teenager is probably not the best course to solving acne problems.

Probably the most harmful myth in how to treat acne is the statement “you just have to live with it.”  This is not at all true. For mild acne there are topical treatments and exfoliates available.  More advanced cases can find relief through a variety of pills taken orally.  Another of acne myth is that it is just a problem for teenagers.The facts do not substantiate this belief.  According to Dr. Neal Schultz on DermTV episode #22 “Debunking Acne’s Greatest Myths” he says there has been an increase in acne for women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.A lot of this has to do with stress in the work place or oil-based makeup.  Which leads me to myth number three: you can’t cover acne with makeup.  Again, according to Dr. Schultz, you can as long as you use a water-based, oil free makeup.  Contrary to popular belief cortisone creams do not actually help clear up acne problems – they may help in the short term, but with repeated use will result in more pimples.

One of the most prevalent acne myths is that picking acne will create scars.  I was raised with this fear of acne scars.  It turns out you have to pick the scab pretty deep to make a scar.  The real problem with picking at your acne is the dark spots this creates.According to Dr Schultz these scars can be more difficult than the original acne to treat. 

Remember, there are a number of ways how to treat acne.  You don’t have to just live with acne problems.  And, while you shouldn’t pick at the acne, if you do accidentally you’re not going to permanently scar yourself.  Acne myths are just that, myths.  Watch the 5 min episode with Dr. Neal and find out for yourself what the truth is about acne.