How important is a balanced diet in the prevention of acne.
This article highlights the significance of the different vitamins in diet to avoid the occurrence of acne.
It gives the sources of vitamins found in food and the right doses to be taken in a day.
Are you tired of using ointments and medicines, which are ineffective for treating your acne?
If you are looking for natural methods of treatment of acne scars, here is a detailed treatment of the various home remedies you can use for the treatment of acne scars.
Various myths abound regarding acne. For myths surrounding acne this article is an in-depth study.
It dispels these myths with the actual truth behind these myths.
Myths about Acne
This article reviews the evidence for common lay and medical myths about acne. Human perceptions have commonly misinterpreted many observations related to the causes, the exacerbating factors and the treatment of acne. Myths are prevalent not only among patients but also among the medical fraternity. Recent research publications have tried to identify many such beliefs in an effort to dispel them.
Myth: Tanning clears acne…
Truth: A tan can only mask acne temporarily by increasing the melanin pigment in the skin. In the long run, tanning can in fact make the skin dry and irritated leading to more breakouts in the future. Documented evidence shows that exposure to UV light worsens comedonal lesions. Also, over exposure to the sun carries the risk of developing premature ageing and skin cancers.
Myth: Diet (Chocolate and fatty foods increase acne):
Truth: Every person is different genetically. Studies have found that
no food is specifically known to cause acne. Although some people may
notice breakouts soon after taking a particular food, this may not be
the case with another person for the same food. Diets that raise blood
sugar levels rapidly, thus stimulating high levels of insulin, can result
in a hormonal imbalance facilitating the development of acne. This might
also be the reason why excess junk food is responsible for increase in
acne lesions seen in stressful periods like pre-examination university
students.
Myth: More washes, less acne
Truth: Soap has been advocated in the treatment of acne since the 19th century. Apart from soap, peel off creams, scrubs containing granules ('Buf-puf' abrasive device) and alcohol are used by many to ward off acne. The fact is that these methods promote dry skin and irritate it, thereby aggravating the problem. The cause of acne is the production of abnormal sticky skin cells that clog pores. Soap can't remove these cells and hence are not so useful. Medicated soap can cure mild acne. As a rule, apply mild soap in a circular motion and then pat dry. Recent medications like Tretinoin, Adapalene, Azelaic acid and Benzoyl peroxide reset the abnormal process in acne and cure 90% of lesions.
Myth: Make up can cause acne…
Truth: As long as acne-preventing creams are used, occasional, mild make
up will not cause acne. In fact, "make up" these days contains
substances that fight acne, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
concealers or tinted benzoyl peroxide creams. However if your skin suffers
mild irritation on using them, they should be avoided.
Myth: Stress can cause acne…
Truth: In an analysis of the examination answers of final year medical students, 65% identified stress as a cause of acne. On research this was proved false. The culprit usually is the diet. In stressful terms we tend to consume less hygienic food, thereby increasing chances of precipitating acne. Research on extremely stressed exam going students getting sufficient healthy calories revealed that stress was not a cause of acne.
Myth: Acne is a disease of teens…
Truth: Acne can no longer be viewed as a condition limited by an artificial boundary at age 20. Hormonal changes can precipitate acne as early as 8 or 9. Often acne subsides as a teen enters the early twenties. But it is interesting to note that nearly 20% to 50% of women seeking acne treatment are in their 20s and a considerable number have persistent acne in their 30s, 40s and even into their 50s. For those who are severely affected, not even menopause brings freedom.
