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Acne Myths & Facts

MYTH 1: Acne is caused by being dirty.

Acne is not caused by poor hygiene or being dirty. In fact, excessive washing and scrubbing may irritate the skin and actually make acne worse.

MYTH 2: Acne is only a teenage disease, and you will grow out of it.

In fact 62% of people who have acne are over 18! If left untreated, acne can worsen and lead to scarring, which can be permanent.

MYTH 3: Poor diet causes or worsens acne.

Many scientific studies have shown that no food consistently causes or aggravates acne. Not chocolate, not pizza, not French fries! Eating a well-balanced diet is always a good idea, but do not expect a particular diet to fix your acne.

FACT 1: Teens with acne have lower self-esteem and are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. All those who have acne can be helped with the right choice of medication.

FACT 2: Not all those who have acne have the same type of lesions, so they may need different types of treatment.

FACT 3: There is no “magical cure ” for acne, but ALL those with acne CAN be helped to improve their complexion.

FACT 4: There is no “quick fix” either. Patience is the virtue. Acne treatment can often take 2-3 months to show improvement.

So here are some steps you can take now…

STEP 1: Call your doctor and get help. The sooner the better. Don’t wait until acne worsens. The earlier you begin treatment, the better and faster your results.

STEP 2: Never squeeze, pick, or pop zits! This can lead to infection, pigmentation and scarring.

STEP 3: Avoid aggressive scrubbing of your face. Use  mild, non-comedogenic cleansers and products/make-ups. They are not likely to clog your pores.

STEP 4: Pat your skin dry before applying prescribed topical agents, like creams, lotions, or gels. Apply only a PEA-SIZED amount for the entire face. Too much is not better and can lead to dryness, redness, and discomfort.

STEP 5: Be consistent with your planned treatment. You’re in charge of it, so stick to it! (Non-compliance is common among teens.)

Just remember: No one needs to walk around with untreated acne!

Dr. K.G. Pai is the founding father of the Kids Plus practice family.