What Really Causes Acne?
The alarm buzzes as stubborn senses resist the call for rise and shine. Moping slowly to the bathroom mirror you rub your eyes and suddenly, staring back at you is a horrible zit right in the middle of your forehead! Great, just in time for the homecoming dance tomorrow with McCutie. Suddenly it hits you. The chocolate bar that you inhaled last night… that’s it: the culprit behind this monstrosity.
The truth about acne, according to Dr. Kristine Romine, a skilled dermatologist at Camelback Dermatology, is that teen acne occurs for various reasons. I asked Dr. Romine the difficult questions to find out the truth about acne. Take the quiz below and turn to page -- to find out what, according to Dr. Romine, really causes acne.
1. Eating chocolate, fatty foods and drinking soda make you break out: MYTH or FACT
2. Stress causes acne: MYTH or FACT
3. Acne is genetic: MYTH or FACT
4. Facials irritate more than help your skin: MYTH or FACT
5. Acne is unpreventable: MYTH or FACT
6. It is always better to be “El Natural” and go without make up: MYTH or FACT
7. Tanning and laying out in the sun is a good way to get clear skin: MYTH or FACT
8. Washing your face more than twice a day will help contribute to clear skin: MYTH or FACT
9. Once you are scarred from acne, you’re scarred for life: MYTH or FACT
10. If you have acne you should go see a Dermatologists rather than try to treat it yourself: MYTH or FACT
11. It’s okay to pop and squeeze your pimples: MYTH or FACT
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ANSWERS.
1. MYTH
According to Dr. Romine, diet does not actually show any relationship to acne. In randomized clinical trials, there was not a difference in kids who ate chocolate or high in fat foods compared to kids who had healthier foods in their diet. But occasionally in case by case trials, there are some people who always break out after they eat chocolate or drink soda because the way diet affects acne has to do with the individual. So if you notice that you break out after you eat high in fat foods then it is probably best to avoid them!
2. FACT
Stress plays a huge role in acne, as well as other dermatological conditions. You may notice this problem around finals because stress levels are at their highest. Any stressful situations teenagers face can lead to acne.
3. FACT
Acne really is genetic. So you might need to go ahead and thank your parents for that nice little gift on your forehead.
4. MYTH
Facials are okay for your skin as long as they are not done with extractions (popping the black heads and the white heads), so that the skin is not injured. Little piece of advice: if you have very sensitive skin, facials are not the best idea because different perfumes or chemicals can react dangerously with the skin.
5. MYTH
Acne can be prevented by washing your face at least twice a day, applying medications on your skin, and keeping all sports equipment (helmets, etc) clean in order to avoid oil build-up. Also, something as simple as switching out your pillow case once a week can help prevent acne and reduce oil and dirt build up.
6. FACT
It is always best to go natural, but make-up that is labeled oil-free and non-comedogenic is okay. “Mineral” is a nice make-up line that does not tend to clog pores like other make-up sometimes can. Another advice from the lady who knows skin best: remember to always wear sunscreen under your make-up!
7. MYTH
Arizona has the second highest rate of skin cancer in the world, next to Australia, so teens should be extremely cautious when exposing themselves to the sun’s damaging UV rays. Tanning and exposure to the sun does not actually clear up the skin. It suppresses the surface of the skin and shuts off acne for the time being. While the acne is “shut off” for this short period of time, pre-cancerous cells are forming that can develop into skin cancer. So, tanning and exposing yourself to the sun is not a good way to prevent acne!
8. MYTH
Usually washing your face twice a day is fine, but if you play sports or sweat a lot then Dr. Kristine Romine recommends washing your face in the afternoon as well as morning and night to remove the sweat and dirt.
9. MYTH
According to Dr. Romine, early scarring can be treated with retinoid type medications, but if it’s still in the pink stages there are some lasers that work. Dr. Romine offers laser procedures that bypass the surface of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) and get down to the dermis. These lasers do not cause any redness or irritation because they target the collagen and elastic tissue in the dermis. This process causes remodeling and shows significant improvements. For white and older scars, dermabrasion and lasers can be used. Don’t wait until your scars turn white, talk with your dermatologist to see what’s best for you.
10. FACT
Dermatologists can prescribe much stronger medications, but over the counter products can be useful for minimal acne. If acne continues after using over the counter products, you should see a dermatologist for other prescriptive products.
11. MYTH
Don’t pop or squeeze your pimples! Try using a warm wash cloth and gently rub it on the area. Popping and squeezing can induce redness and make the pimples last longer. If your pimple is very deep in the skin like a deep sore or cyst, this calls for a dermatologist emergency! A dermatologist such as Dr. Romine can inject a shot of liquid into your pimple that will make it disappear within 24-36 hours! This is one of those magic solutions that will make those deep pimples vanish over night.
So, check out your daily routines and make the necessary changes suggested if you want to have the “pimple-free” days this holiday season!! These simple habits of cleansing, medicating when needed, and dermatological treatments really work!!! Your glowing complexion will be reward enough!!!
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