8 Popular Ways To Fight Acne You Should Not Repeat: Your Doctor’s Tips

Misconception # 1 – tanning

Let’s start with the most harmless “medicine” for acne. Many people are still sure that ultraviolet rays (hereinafter referred to as UV rays) dry acne and help improve the quality of problem skin. However, tanning doesn’t work that way. He acts exactly the opposite. The effects of prolonged exposure to the sun (or tanning beds) can be compared to a rigid diet. In both cases, at first the result will be pleasing – the rash, like the extra pounds, will really go away, but not for long. In literally a month and a half, regression will occur.  

“It was believed that the absence of ultraviolet radiation leads to the formation of acne, but time has shown that it can only drown out or temporarily suppress inflammation. In the long term, UV rays will aggravate the course of acne. In other words, in a month or maximum six months, everything will become even worse and harder, ”the expert noted.

According to Alexey, this occurs as a result of hyperkeratosis, that is, thickening of the skin. Hyperkeratosis forms within 1-2 months after sun exposure and is one of the protective mechanisms of the skin exposed to UV radiation: “Hyperkeratosis leads to the formation of more closed comedones, which will subsequently become even more inflamed than before sunburn. Thus, tanning helps to obtain a short-term positive effect with the subsequent aggravation of the course of acne. ” – added a dermatovenerologist.

Misconception # 2 – tar

Creams or masks with natural tar are one of the leaders in the budget for combating acne. Tar is usually a black or dark brown product with a repellent and repulsive odor. It is obtained from wood resin, most often birch. Tar does have a positive effect on hair and skin, but anyone struggling with acne should be careful with this product, both in pure form and in masks and creams.

“Tar has a comedogenic effect, that is, it clogs the sebaceous glands. Some make the big mistake by applying it to their skin or, worse, applying it in tar. More than once I had to hear how people applied a product containing tar to their face and then applied cling film on top. The same was done on the body, additionally using some other bandages for a greater compression effect. And in this state, a person could sleep all night. In no case should this be done. This method can aggravate the course of the disease. In addition, when using compresses, a greenhouse effect is created, which also contributes to the rapid and harmful formation of inflammatory elements on the skin, ”emphasized Alexey Edemsky.

Misconception # 3 – turpentine baths

If you type in the phrase “turpentine baths” in a search engine, you will see many articles extolling this method of skin care. And there is some truth in this. Such procedures can really help, but with one caveat. Turpentine baths should never be done if you have an inflammatory process on your body or face.

Misconception # 4 – Vishnevsky’s ointment

Vishnevsky’s ointment really helps to speed up the maturation of acne, but the consequences will be dire.

“In the opinion of many, Vishnevsky’s ointment contributes to the maturation and breakthrough of abscesses. This is true, but it should be understood that this agent provokes an increase in inflammation in volume. As a result, after the breakthrough of this abscess, a noticeable defect in the form of a spot or scar remains on the skin, from which it will be much more difficult to get rid of than if you do not resort to this method of treatment. Without an ointment, inflammation can mature and break through much more slowly, but this will occur in more natural conditions and will not cause severe defects on the skin, ”explained the beautician.

Misconception # 5 – Domestos peeling

This misconception will shock you. It is hard to believe that someone really resorts to such a cardinal and, one might even say, desperate method, but, unfortunately, there are such daredevils. It will be about peeling from Domestos. The same cleaning agent that is used to clean the toilet.

“Some people use domestos peels to treat acne. There are different schemes for how to do it, but for obvious reasons I will not recommend them. Such brutal exfoliation methods do not help the treatment, but, on the contrary, make the situation worse. These peels cause dermatitis. After them, the inflammatory disease will proceed much more aggressively in the future, ”Aleksey believes.

Misconception # 6 – hormonal creams

A hormone cream or ointment is a product that is often used for skin diseases and allergic rashes. It would seem that this remedy is quite logical to use in the fight against acne, but this is not entirely true. Although highly effective, hormone creams can be dangerous.

“Hormonal creams or ointments are often used in modern cosmetology as a method of self-medication. They are applied with an anti-inflammatory effect. In particular, there are combined hormonal agents containing antibiotics. Girls are very fond of these funds, because with their help, as if by magic, inflammatory elements disappear in 1-2 days. And no additional treatment is needed. As a result, these creams are often “addicted” and used for many years.

But often after them, patients come to the doctor’s office with a more serious disease called rosacea. This is a vascular pathology. In this case, it develops as an iatrogenic disease, that is, a drug-induced disease. Therefore, it is categorically impossible to apply hormonal creams to the face if it is not done as directed by a doctor and without supervision. Even a single application of this product can lead to rosacea. “

Misconception # 7 – intimate life

Most of us have heard the statement that acne is the result of prolonged sexual abstinence. In adolescence, schoolchildren are completely sure that acne will disappear as soon as sexual activity begins. But, unfortunately, not everything is so simple.

“This opinion was widespread during the time of our parents and grandparents. This was due to the fact that by the time people entered adulthood, acne had ended due to age characteristics. Today, these recommendations are no longer relevant, since in the modern world, girls use a huge number of cosmetics that support and provoke acne. Another factor is nutrition. Nowadays, both girls and guys consume a lot of fast carbs, preservatives and fast food. All this leads to the pathology of the sebaceous glands and to the formation of the pathological composition of sebum. Food has become too much in our life, therefore, when entering into sexual activity, one should not rely on a therapeutic effect and expect an improvement in the condition of the skin. “

Misconception # 8 – Celebrity Tips

It is important to understand that opinion leaders do not have specialized education and, of course, do not know exactly who will decide to take their advice. Perhaps it will be a person whose skin is not prone to certain procedures.

“All the recommendations that bloggers give go nowhere. It turns out that they disclaim full responsibility for what they advise. Also, bloggers do not talk about contraindications, side effects, and most importantly, what to do if something goes wrong. By listening to advice, you need to understand who it comes from and why you chose to listen to it.

If this is a treatment, then, of course, you cannot be treated according to the advice of stars and bloggers. Even if this blogger is a doctor. Acne should be treated at a professional doctor’s appointment, and not according to the advice from Instagram. If we are talking about banal care procedures and a person does not have skin diseases, then you can take a risk if you really want to save money and carry out the procedure on a budget. But it’s important not to be fanatic about the issue. The first time, do the procedure in a more gentle version. And when, after several repetitions, you understand that your skin tolerates the experiments normally, you can carry out the procedure more aggressively, ”advised dermatologist Aleksey Edemsky.