Skin Pimples – Top 4 Myths
Because acne is such a widespread condition, myths abound about its causes. Here are the Top Four Myths about skin pimples:
1. Eating chocolate (or ice cream, or candy, or other sugary foods) causes acne. Not true. Although many people still believe it, there has been no link shown between sugary foods and breakouts.
It’s likely that this was given as a cause by parents who wanted their teens to eat less sugar…and with any urban legend, it’s snowballed.
2. Sunbathing and tanning cures acne. While drying out your skin will often clear pimples in the short run, you may notice that as your sun damage heals, the acne comes back.
Given a choice between too much sun damage and acne…go with the acne. There are better ways to heal it whose possible results are not wrinkles. However, it is important to get a moderate amount of sunshine (about 15 minutes every day.)
3. Dirt causes acne. While this makes sense intuitively, there has been no proven correlation between dirt on the face and skin pimples. The bottom line is that compulsively washing your face is not going to prevent or cure acne.
4. Poor diet causes acne. Ditto #3. It makes sense that what you ingest will have an effect on what happens on and just underneath your skin. However, no studies have shown a correlation.
Scientists have noted that some indigenous societies have absolutely NO occurrence of acne, as opposed to a veritable epidemic of it in western culture. This indicates that the correlation might exist, but as of yet, we have no proof.
In truth, there is still much research to be done to reveal all of the causes of acne. For sure, we know that genetics and hormones are true causes of skin pimples.
As for the rest, don’t let them worry you…you’ll notice the news stories if any other causes are identified!
