Table of Contents
Quick Summary / At A Glance
- Acne is the medical word for spots. They are the same thing, not two different conditions.
- Acne is not only for teenagers. It can continue into adult years, or begin after the age of 25.
- Dirty skin and poor hygiene do not cause acne. Too much washing, and scrubbing hard, are likely to worsen it.
- Drinking lots of water does not cure acne. Moisturizing the skin is a separate point, and excess oil does not guarantee hydration.
- Do not squeeze, prick or scratch spots. Doing so can damage the skin and cause permanent pigmentation marks, and severe, painful, cystic or scarring acne should be seen by a dermatologist.
What Acne Is, in Brief
Acne occurs when pores are plugged or blocked by dead skin cells. The plugs blocking the pores can be seen on the skin as small spots referred to as blackheads and whiteheads.
While acne is more pronounced on your face, it also occurs on your neck, shoulders, chest and back. It can be persistent, and bumps and pimples can heal slowly.
Even more annoying, when one pimple or bump goes away, others can start to appear. Acne, especially when severe, can be distressing.
For broader reading on this site, see Beauty Tips for Clear and Glowing Skin.
Why Acne Develops: More Than One Factor
Most people dismiss acne as a simple skin condition. Acne is, however, a complex combination of changing hormones, overgrowth of typically harmless bacteria, sebum, and inflammation.
The condition refers to a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit of the skin. That unit consists of hair, an oil-producing gland, and a hair follicle.
Hormone levels affect the size and performance of the oil-producing gland. When the gland produces more oil, this can lead to sticky, trapped pores and to the multiplication of the bacteria linked with spots.
Acne is not contagious. It cannot be transmitted through touching.
Three Other Beliefs This Article Checked
There is a widely held belief that acne is caused by stress. This is untrue, as the original article put it.
Some people believe that sunbathing helps clear acne. There is no evidence to support such claims.
There is also a belief that there is no effective medical treatment for acne. That belief is wrong in general terms, but this article does not give treatment instructions or recommend products.
Gentle Everyday Care: What Not to Do
Do not attempt to clean off blackheads. The black tip of a blackhead is a matter of skin pigmentation, not dirt, so the black tips cannot be gotten rid of by scrubbing or washing.
Do not wash too much. Use lukewarm water, because using very cold or hot water is likely to worsen the condition.
Do not scrub hard when cleaning acne-affected areas. Excessive cleaning and scrubbing can cause more inflammation on your skin, as well as worsen the acne.
Some preparations used on acne-affected skin can dry the skin. That dryness is a reason for care and gentleness, not for scrubbing harder.
Myth 1: Acne Is a Different Condition From Spots
Many people think that acne is different from spots. They are wrong, because acne and spots are the same thing.
Acne is a medical term that doctors use to describe bad spots. If spots are persistent or worrying, a dermatologist is the right person to ask for proper advice.
Myth 2: Acne Is for Teenagers Only
Most people believe that acne only affects teenagers because of the adolescent stage. That is a myth, because this condition occurs during the teenage years as well as in adult years.
Adults can experience two subtypes of this condition: persistent acne and late-onset acne. Persistent acne continues from the teenage years and refuses to disappear, while late-onset acne begins after the age of 25 years.
Myth 3: The Main Cause of Acne Is Dirty Skin
Some advertisements claim that unclean skin causes acne, and that a particular soap clears all the dirt and so protects against acne. Keep in mind that acne develops because of a multifactorial process, as described above.
Poor hygiene does not cause acne. Indeed, too much washing is likely to worsen the condition.
Myth 4: Taking Lots of Water Cures Acne
It is healthy to drink water to keep the body hydrated. But drinking a lot of water will not cure your acne.
Moisturizing is a separate point. Moisturizing the skin helps maintain the integrity of its barrier function, and oily skin also needs moisturizing, because excess oils do not guarantee effective skin hydration.
So the honest distinction is this: hydration and moisturizing matter for skin in general, but they are not a cure for acne.
Myth 5: Abrasive Products Are the Answer
The original article said the idea of avoiding abrasive products altogether is too simple. It also added an important caution: anything done roughly can irritate the skin and make the situation worse.
That caution is the part to keep at full strength. Do not scrub hard, and do not treat harsh scrubbing as a way to clear acne, because excessive cleaning and scrubbing can cause more inflammation and worsen acne.
Myth 6: Squeezing Spots Helps Clear Them
Many people believe that squeezing spots and removing what is inside helps to cure them. That is not true.
It is not advisable to prick, scratch or squeeze spots. Doing so will damage the skin and can cause permanent pigmentation marks.
If spots persist, consult a dermatologist. They can advise on proper skin care for your own situation.
The Six Myths at a Glance: Myth vs. Fact
| Myth | What this article says |
|---|---|
| Acne is different from spots | They are the same thing. Acne is the medical term doctors use for bad spots. |
| Acne is for teenagers only | It also affects adults, as persistent acne or late-onset acne beginning after age 25. |
| Dirty skin is the main cause | Poor hygiene does not cause acne. It is multifactorial, and too much washing can worsen it. |
| Drinking lots of water cures acne | Water is healthy for hydration, but it does not cure acne. Moisturizing is a separate point. |
| Abrasive, harsh scrubbing helps | Scrubbing hard can irritate the skin, cause more inflammation and worsen acne. |
| Squeezing spots clears them | Do not prick, scratch or squeeze spots. It can damage skin and cause permanent pigmentation marks. |
When to See a Dermatologist
See a dermatologist if acne is severe, painful, cystic or scarring, or if spots persist. Acne that is severe can be distressing and can heal slowly, so it should not be dismissed as a simple problem to scrub or squeeze away.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personal advice.