It’s because of a lack of hygiene. You will grow out of it. Stop eating chocolate. The sun will heal you. Each pustule should be squeezed out. These are just some of the myths about acne. It’s time to find out if there is any grain of truth in them?
Is acne a disease?
Yes, acne vulgaris is not a cosmetic defect, but the most common skin condition in adolescence. It is estimated that it affects up to 90 percent. people in adolescence. Acne skin is characterized by seborrhea and the formation of blackheads, papules and pustules in places rich in sebaceous glands (especially the forehead and the central part of the face, the so-called T zone).
Does acne only affect adolescents?
No, acne vulgaris can affect anyone. In adults, it can be persistent acne, which is a relapse of the adolescent disease, or acne known by experts as “late onset”, that is, acne that occurs in adults who have not dealt with the disease before. It usually affects women, and the skin lesions are located mainly in the lower part of the face: on the chin, jawline or neck. The causes of adult acne are not fully known – civilization factors, lifestyle, stress and an unhealthy diet play a large role.
Will frequent washing help with acne?
No – let’s make it clear once and for all: cleansing the face several times a day, as well as using aggressive exfoliating cosmetics or disinfecting preparations can lead to dryness and irritation of the facial skin. It is best to wash your face twice a day with good quality dermocosmetics such as the Cleanance Avène Cleansing Gel for oily skin with imperfections that gently removes impurities and make-up. Already after the first application, our skin is soft to the touch, matted, clean and refreshed, and after 21 days we can see a reduction in sebum, blackheads and pustules. The effectiveness of the Cleanance Cleansing Gel has been confirmed in clinical trials conducted under dermatological control.
Does the sun help with acne?
Unfortunately, none of this. The sun dries out the skin, which means that after some time the sebaceous glands work much more intensively and the blooms recur even more intensely than before sunbathing. There is something else – the negative effect of sunbathing is sun discoloration, which is not easy to remove. When choosing UV filters on pharmacy shelves, look for products specially designed for acne-prone and imperfect skin, such as Avène Sun Cleanance sunscreen lotion SPF 50. This product is of good quality and does not provoke the formation of spots, has a light texture, mats and at the same time provides high sun protection.
What to avoid in acne skin care?
First, don’t nibble, touch, or squeeze. Why? By squeezing out blemishes, we break the skin and can damage the infected hair follicle and, as a result, exacerbate inflammation. In addition, there are a lot of bacteria on our hands and just touching the face causes the germs to spread over the entire surface. Squeezing pimples also causes the formation of permanent and difficult to remove scars and discoloration. Secondly, in acne prone skin care, “less is more”. Instead of experimenting with new products from the drugstore, choose dermocosmetics from the pharmacy, such as the range Cleanance Avène intended for acne-prone skin. The products included in the line contain active ingredients designed to provide specialized skin care. The brand’s novelty is Cleanance Comedomed, an anti-blemish concentrate that not only reduces pimples and blackheads, but also reduces their reappearance by acting on the source of acne lesions – micro-blackheads. With it, you can forget about acne forever! It owes its action to the active ingredient – Comedoclastin™, obtained from milk thistle seed extract, which helps transform micro-comedones into healthy sebaceous follicles. Importantly, the product is quickly absorbed, leaves no feeling of stickiness and gives a matte finish. It is indicated for adolescents and adults prone to acne.
Does acne come from dirt?
This is one of the common myths, extremely harmful to people struggling with acne. The true causes of disease development are complex and multi-factorial. In the case of acne vulgaris, hormonal disorders causing excessive work of the sebaceous glands, abnormal perifollicular keratosis and inflammation caused by the bacterium are of major importance. Propionibacterium acnes. Genetic factors also play a role in the development of pathological changes.
How long does treatment take?
It all depends on individual predispositions – sometimes treatment lasts several months, sometimes several years. Some patients suffer from chronic, long-term and relapsing course of the disease. It is worth remembering that the therapy requires systematic, persistent and proper skin care, also after acne changes.
Does what we eat affect the condition of the skin?
Yes, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get acne from just a few bars of chocolate. Some studies suggest that dairy products and foods with a high glycemic index (e.g., drinks high in sugar, white bread) can exacerbate acne. However, research results do not conclusively conclude whether there is a link between acne and certain types of food. Switching to a low-glycemic-index diet can help, so be sure to include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables on your diet.