Misconceptions about causes of Acne
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There are many misconceptions and rumors about what does and does not cause the
condition:
Diet. One flawed study purported that Chocolate, french fries,
potato chips and sugar, among others, affect acne. A recent
review of scientific literature cannot affirm either way. The consensus among
health professionals is that acne sufferers should experiment with their diets,
and refrain from consuming such fare if they find such food affects the
severity of their acne. A recent study, based on a survey of 47,335 women, did
find a positive epidemiological association between milk consumption and acne,
particularly skimmed. The researchers hypothesize that the association may be
caused by hormones (such as bovine IGF-I) present in cow milk; but this has not
been definitively shown. Seafood, on the other hand, may contain relatively
high levels of iodine, but probably not enough to cause an acne outbreak.
Still, people who are prone to acne may want to avoid excessive consumption of
foods high in iodine. It has also been suggested that there is a link between a
diet high in refined sugars and acne. According to this hypothesis, the
startling absence of acne in non-westernized societies could be explained by
the low glycemic index of these tribes' diets. Further research is necessary to
establish whether a reduced consumption of high-glycemic foods (such as soft
drinks, sweets, white bread) can significantly alleviate acne, though
consumption of high-glycemic foods should in any case be kept to a minimum, for
general health reasons.
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Deficient personal hygiene. Acne is not caused by dirt. This misconception probably comes from the fact
that acne involves skin infections. In fact the blockages that cause acne occur deep within the narrow follicle
channel, where it is impossible to wash them away. These plugs are formed by the cells and sebum created there by the body.
The bacteria involved are the same bacteria that are always present on the skin. Regular cleansing of the skin can reduce,
but not prevent, acne for a particular individual and very little variation among individuals is due to hygiene. Anything
beyond very gentle cleansing can actually worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or overdrying skin.
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Sex. Common myths state that either celibacy or masturbation cause acne and, conversely, that sexual intercourse can cure it.
There is no scientific evidence suggesting that any of these are factual. It is true, though, that anger and stress affect hormone levels and thus bodily oil production, which can cause acne.
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