LITERATURE STUDY 

2.4 ACNE MYTHS AND FACTS

2.4.1 Acne is caused by dirty skin

One of the most common myths is that acne is related to uncleanliness.According to Fulton (2002:97) one cannot remove the impacted pores that cause acne even if one washes one’s face 20 times a day. Day (2005: 46) concurs with the viewpoint that dirt does not cause acne lesions, however poor skin hygiene can make acne worse.  

Murray and Rhodes (2005:190) found that acne sufferers were overly concerned with hygiene and that this often led to excessive washing. The reason for washing the face repeatedly comes from a desire to remove impurities and dirt from the skin. Kellet and Gilbert (2001:16) similarly found that acne sufferers often use too much harsh soap or chemicals or use overly vigorous cleaning methods. These cleaning rituals are done in order to block out feelings of being dirty or infected.  

Over-washing can be a bigger problem than not washing enough, as it can strip away the skin’s natural, healthy barrier and leave it vulnerable to infection (Day 2005:47). 

2.4.2 Dietary factors 

Another prevalent myth is that acne can develop if one eats certain foods. Delicacies such as chocolate, nuts, candy as well as greasy foods are regarded as the common culprits (Day 2005:44). Fulton (2002:98) describes a study done at the University of Pennsylvania, where 50 teenagers where fed a pound of chocolate a day. Two of the teenagers’ acne got better, two got worse and the rest stayed the same. Therefore the reality is that there is no scientific evidence that high-carbohydrate or fat intake causes acne. Because acne is to a large extent genetic, what one eats does not make a lot of difference. The only exceptions to this are excessive intake of dietary iodides and diary.  

According to Fulton (2002:98) excessive iodides are excreted through the sebum glands and may therefore cause acne flare-ups. One can be exposed to too much iodide in three ways. The first involves taking mineral and vitamin supplements with high iodide content. The second is by following diet programs that contain seaweed and the third way is through drinking water with high iodide content.  

Studies done at Harvard Medical School have found that limited or eliminated milk consumption can lead to an improvement in acne patients’ skin. The theory is that the hormones, which are produced naturally in the milk of cows, play an important role. However, calcium is an important part of the adolescent diet and special care needs to be taken to ensure that there are adequate calcium supplements if a dairy-free diet is attempted (Day 2005:47).

2.4.3 Sunlight and tanning improves acne 

Sun exposure can have a drying effect on the skin. The UVA and UVB rays can damage the sebaceous glands and make them temporarily less active. For this reason, people with overactive oil glands may find that their skins show an improvement after sun exposure (Day 2005:51). Adolescents suffering from acne often spend an excessive amount of time in the sun in an attempt to improve their skin. 

However, the sunlight can also irritate the pores in some cases and cause acne to flare-up. Furthermore, sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer and acne patients on Isotretinoin treatments like Roaccutane, can do permanent damage to their skin if it is exposed to too much sunlight.  

2.4.4 Sexual frustrations 

According to Fulton (2002:98) the old belief that acne is aggravated by sexual frustration is probably based on the fact that adolescents are hormonally vulnerable to acne and that it usually turns to clear up by the time that they are older and get married. Many women in their late teenage years also start to take birth control pills, which can aggravate acne during the first few months of their use. 

2.4.5 Exercise can cure acne 

Exercise leads to sweating, which, some people believe, has a cleansing effect on the skin. Therefore another popular myth is that regular exercise will improve the appearance of acne. In reality, however exercise often causes an acne break-out. According to Day (2005:60) this is due to a combination of factors, such as sweat combining with sticky surface skin cells to block the pores, as well as heat and friction that activates the acne bacteria. 

However, exercise is essential for healthy living and to combat stress. Since stress has been implicated in the development of acne, stress management is an important part of treatment for acne. Day (2005:60) recommends applying acne treatment, like a good topical cleanser before a workout and showering immediately thereafter.

2.4.6 Makeup causes acne  

Many people believe that cosmetics cause acne and should simply be avoided if one is prone to acne. The reality is much more complex. Although some cosmetics may contain irritants that can cause skin flare-ups, a lot of non-acnegenic products exist that may actually improve a person’s skin (Day 2005:59).

The tendency to favour oil-free makeup also deserves some scrutiny. Certain oils are naturally found in the skin and help to act as a barrier against the outside world, which means it effectively prevents bacteria from penetrating the skin. The right oils can also prevent water loss and improve water retention within the skin to keep it healthy and looking its best. Conversely certain oils like mineral oils and Lanolin are similar to the oil found in the sebaceous glands and can therefore leave the skin looking shiny and can aggravate existing acne (Day 2005:59).

According to Fulton (2002:100) it is best to use water-based make-up or loose powders that can absorb excess oil from the skin without blocking the pores. One should always look for the words “noncomedogenic” or “acnegenic” when selecting a product. Day (2005:60) warns against assuming that just because a product is labelled as natural to assume that it is good for one’s skin. The word natural is unregulated and all natural products may contain ingredients that are comedogenic.