Is Acne what you really think it is?

Mother Nature certainly didn’t bestow acne on one gender alone!  And while some certain beliefs surround acne, I’m pretty sure we need to do away with others.

What is Acne?

Acne popularly known as “pimples” is a physical condition caused by slight or immense clogging of the pores on the skin caused by dead skin, dirt or oil. While it is doesn’t necessarily cause you any harm it can actually cause a painful irritation and burning sensation on the skin. There are different known types of acne including blackheads, whiteheads, papules and others.

Some facts about Acne you should know.

1. The tiny holes on the skin are called pores. Clogging of these pores causes pimples. The continuous pimple or clogging on the skin is what leads to the condition called acne.

2. Mother nature didn’t limit acne anywhere as it can appear on any part of the body; common areas are the face, arms, chest and back.

3. It is mostly triggered by hormonal changes, ovulation, and some certain medications, changes in diet and increased intake of sugary products.

4. Acne is 85% hereditary! Don’t let anyone lie to you, there is a high risk of having acne if it is known in the family.

5. While some skin medications can improve acne, others can be a disadvantage as it can irritate your skin even more, hence why a prescription is always necessary to beat acne.

6. Your hygiene has a huge role to play when it comes to beating or preventing acne!

7. It eventually fades off on its own with time and sometimes you don’t necessarily have to use medications for it.

And here are the myths we should seriously abolish!

1. Only sexually inactive people have acne. Okay seriously how did we get here?

2. Acne is a rite of passage into puberty. Now this isn’t entirely true. Although at this stage the hormones in the body are being geared up in different parts of the body and this can lead to a series of changes in the body however not every adolescent has acne!

3. Eating lots of groundnuts or peanuts causes acne. When was this even established?

Here are some known treatments for Acne.

1. Take your hygiene routine seriously. Changing your sheets regularly as well as keeping your face towels clean can help you beat acne.

2. Use makeups that are only non-pore clogging as these can be easily cleaned with no residue left on the skin.

3. In severe cases, do not hesitate to visit a dermatologist as they’re the only ones that can give out the right prescriptions.

4. Avoid squeezing or popping a pimple as this can make it even more inflamed and spread to other parts. Avoid touching your face altogether!