According to the American Academy of Dermatology (ACNE) acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually.
With statistics such as these, it’s no wonder that many individuals will try almost anything to get rid of their acne.
Here at Envision Acne and Skincare Centre we’re passionate about not only getting your acne under control, but also making sure that you feel good about yourself and confident in your own skin, which is why we wanted to spend some time talking about the most common acne myths that we’re often asked about.
We’ve turned these questions into a short Q&A session below, making it easy for you to dip in and search for the answers to any questions you may have;
1.) Is it true that acne is caused by greasy or sugary foods?
There’s no doubt about it, diet most definitely plays a key role in our overall health. In one of our recent blogs on gut health we talked about the link between the trillions of bacteria which live inside our gastrointestinal tract and how internal balances and poor diet can potentially show up in a form of acne. Sugary and greasy foods are nutrient depleted and offer the body no benefit whatsoever, so a reduction or elimination of them is highly recommended if you would like to have clear skin. By replacing them with leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, healthy proteins and essential fatty acids you can keep your hormones in balance and reduce internal inflammation and sugar spikes. It’s important to remember that diet is only one element that can increase inflammation. Acne develops in the hair follicles so it’s essential that monthly skincare treatments provided by a skin care specialist and specially formulated home care products are also part of your routine.
2.) Will over the counter products cure my acne, or do I need prescription drugs from my Dermatologist?
While I would always encourage any new clients to seek the advice of a Medical practitioner to rule out any underlying medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal imbalances which may require medical treatments, using prescription products to treat acne might not be an effective, long term solution. But before you spend your hard earned money on expensive topical over the counter products, I recommend that you seek the advice of a professional who specializes in the treatment of acne. Depending on the severity and the type of acne you have, you will need a combination of advanced treatments; specially formulated products combined with some dietary and lifestyle changes in order to clear up your skin.
Before my consultations I always ask my clients to bring in any skincare products they currently use on their skin. For my amusement many clients walks in with a big shopping bag of items ranging from inexpensive over the counter products, organic oils and scrubs to higher priced department store or prescription products. You name it I’ve seen it. While some of these products are actually have acne fighting active ingredients in it, which could be effective to clear up the skin but most times, it is the actual formulation (the non-active ingredients) that contains comedogenic or pore clogging ingredients. If a product has pore clogging ingredients in it, no matter how diligently you use them, they will never clear up the skin completely. So what’s really important is to use products on your skin that are specially formulated to unclog the pores, reduce inflammation and 100% acne safe.
3.) Will my acne suddenly disappear when I’m in my 30s?
Acne being a teenage problem is one of the most common myths that many of us still believe. While teenagers are more likely to suffer from more aggressive forms of cystic acne due to the hormonal changes that their bodies are undergoing, acne is very common across all age groups and rapidly increasingly in adults women. With increased levels of stress, poor diets and ineffective skincare products, many women are experiencing acne well into their 30s, 40s, and in some cases in their 50s. The good new is that you can easily learn how to get your acne under control regardless of your age. All you need is to seek the advice of a skincare specialist who will be able to teach you exactly what steps you have to take in order to eliminate your acne.
4.) Will sun exposure improve acne?
While you may think that prolonged time spent outdoors in direct sunlight or in the tanning bed will improve your acne, I can assure you that it will not provide the benefits you are looking for. As melanin levels (this is the pigment responsible for dark skin color) increase in our skin after we’ve been exposed to the sunlight, our skin tone changes and a tan gradually develops which conceals those red and inflamed acne breakouts more than normal. It may seem that your acne all the sudden disappeared, however long term exposure to UVA and UVB rays will not only cause an overgrowth of sebaceous glands but it will also dry out the skin. This will lead to increased sensitivity, premature ageing and in some cases skin cancers. Not to mention the more sun exposure you get the more dark spots you will develop after your pimples disappear. My advice is to limit your time spent in the sun and always protect your skin with a non comedogenic or zinc oxide based sunscreen.
5.) Is it true that acne scars which I’ve had for years will be very hard to remove fully?
With medical and aesthetic technologies improving every year, it’s now perfectly possible to significantly reduce acne scarring with a range of modalities from laser skin resurfacing to dermal rollers and skin peels, all of which can be introduced into your acne post treatment program.
6.) Will Makeup make my acne worse?
It’s certainly true that most liquid and cream foundations, concealers and pressed powders can contribute to clogged pores and inflammation in the skin. However nowadays there are some sophisticatedly formulated mineral based make up that can help to protect our skins from environmental pollutants and support the clearing and healing of the skin. Here at Envision Acne and Skin Care Center we offer a range of acne safe makeup products, from mineral foundations to lip balms, primers and brushes to suit your every need.
Do you need expert skin care advice from a licensed aesthetician/acne specialist? Schedule your appointment for a consultation today to get personalized advice on products and treatments that are right for you.
© 2012-2017 Nikolett Ivanyi, Envision Acne Center; For more information go to www.envisionacnecenter.com
