All of us want to have a healthy, radiant, glowing complexion and acne is one of the most common skin conditions that hampers this. Dispelling common myths could help in healing, treatment and prevention of acne.

Myth 1: Acne is a condition caused by poor hygiene....
Fact: Most people believe this and wash skin too hard and too frequently, which can actually make acne worse. Dirt or surface skin oils do not cause acne. Excess oils, dead skin and a day’s accumulation of dust should be cleansed gently in the morning and at night.

Myth 2: Stress causes acne....
Fact: Stress may have an effect on hormones and theoretically can promote acne. However, an effective acne treatment regimen is more powerful than a bout of stress any day.

Myth 3: Acne is caused by diet....
Fact: Scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. In other words, greasy foods do not cause acne. Nonetheless, some people insist that certain foods worsen their acne problem. In that case, avoid those foods. Besides, balanced eating is always healthier.

Myth 4: Popping pimples or zits will help them go away faster....
Fact: By squeezing pimples, you can actually push bacteria further back into the skin, causing more swelling and redness — and sometimes damaging the skin surface, causing a red or brown mark or scar to form.

Myth 5: It helps to use more acne medication until the breakouts stop....
Fact: Acne medication contains drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Using too much may cause over drying, which can lead to irritation and more blemishes. If over-the-counter acne medication doesn’t work, it’s a good idea to talk to your dermatologist. Also when taking a prescription medication, follow your doctor’s instructions — some medications may take up to eight weeks to make a difference. Stopping the medication abruptly can hinder progress.