Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : June 3, 2016 5:58 PM IST
Read this article in HINDI.
Let s face it: None of us like having acne on our face. Both men and women loathe it when it pops up out of nowhere. The mild ones are still fine to deal with, but the extreme ones -- the angry-red, pus filled acne is what makes it totally awful. Since it isn t a good sight to see your face invaded by these little boils, you might look for an easy solution to get rid of them. This is when you fall prey to quick fixes (which most of the time ruins our skin) or start believing in myths revolving acne care. Here Dr Nivedita Dadu, Dermatologist from Skinology Skin and Hair Clinic and Consultant from BL Kapur Memorial Hospital, New Delhi, busts three common myths about acne.
Myth #1: If you have acne, you should wash your face every few hours
Some people believe this and end up washing their face numerous times a day, sometimes even scrubbing vigorously with a face wash and using harsh astringents, washing away all the natural oil from the skin. But ultimately, this can lead to irritated, traumatised skin that looks worse later.
Fact: Instead, wash your face only once or twice a day with lukewarm water, a mild cleanser and in gentle motion don t scrub or use harsh abrasive products. Make sure to remove makeup and dirt from your face before going to bed.
Myth #2: Popping acne will make it disappear faster than any treatment
This myth has been doing its rounds for ages and is a popular belief especially with youngsters and teenagers. A reason why most teens and even young adults think it is fine to squeeze acne in an attempt to try open up a clogged pore. However, this usually leads to further inflammation, which makes the acne look worse and last longer. Also, this will leave a badly pigmented scar.
Fact: A better way to make the acne disappear is to use Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic acid face wash with a balanced pH. This will also shrink the acne and it will erupt gradually.
Myth #3: Junk food is the prime cause of acne
This is again one of the most common belief that kept young women from eating their favourite bhajiyas if they got acne on their face. Many people with acne have oily skin, so for a time, people thought that greasy foods should also be avoided. However, a number of studies have shown that eating foods like French fries, cheeseburgers, and chocolate doesn t have any impact on your skin. But getting that grease on your skin can make an oily complexion worse, clogging pores and leading to an acne breakout. However, there are other diet culprits that can be behind your acne. In fact, milk and other dairy products have been associated with an increased risk of acne. Other studies have shown that a low glycemic index diet that is high in fibre and fruits and vegetables is beneficial for acne.
Fact: So, if someone is suffering from acne, avoiding milk or sticking to a low glycemic index diet may actually be helpful. While junk and oily food that is thought to be the culprit isn t much of a problem. Although, we aren t encouraging you to hog on them mindlessly.
When should you be serious with your acne?
Severe acne can have a significant impact on social relationships, and affect a person s confidence and self-esteem in a way that leads to depression particularly during the teenage period. Acne, especially in teens and young adults can lead to:
1. Reluctance to establish relationships and develop social skills
2. Fear of being mocked by others
3. Disabling shyness
4. Social phobia
5. Missed school or work
6. Difficulty succeeding in careers due to lack of confidence
7. Poor body image and self-esteem
Sometimes over-the-counter medications work on some but for people with more severe cases may require the expertise of a dermatologist who can recommend prescription drugs. The medications prescribed to treat acne depend on type and severity. Acne treatment may involve combinations of different kinds of medication: some to remove dead skin and oils that clog pores while others target the formation of cysts typical of severe acne. Some treatment methods work by attacking overgrowths of Propionibacterium acnes, a type of bacteria that occurs naturally on your skin but can cause acne when its growth is uncontrolled. Antibiotics, retinoids, chemical peels, lasers, hormone therapy and home care regime are advised depending on the person s condition.
Image source: Shutterstock
