Some Myths About Complexion Problems
By Teresa Ambord
If you’re struggling with a bad complexion, you need to know what’s true and what isn’t. Here are some points you may have misunderstood:
- Your skin doesn’t need the sun to clear up. Tanning may seem like a solution, but in the long run it can make breakouts worse, since it causes dryness and irritation. If you do spend time in the sun, be sure to use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. Check the label to make sure the sunscreen is non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic, which means it is designed to not clog your pores.
- As tempting as it is to get rid of a pimple by popping it, you may only make it worse. Manipulating it can push the bacteria farther into your skin, or leave a scar that could last forever.
- Foods do not cause acne. Some people do react badly to certain foods like chocolate or coffee but no one food is linked to pimples in general.
- Stress doesn’t cause breakouts, but it can make your skin produce more oil, which may cause a breakout.
- Makeup doesn’t cause breakouts, but it can clog your pores if it is not non-acnegenic or non-comedonegic.
- You can’t wash your face enough to prevent breakouts, but washing too much or too harshly (like with a washcloth) can irritate and dry your skin, making breakouts worse.
- Using additional complexion cream doesn’t help and may hurt. They contain drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Just like punishing your skin by harsh washing, too much medication irritates and over-dries and can add to redness and swelling.
- If you’re a teenager or young adult who is breaking out a lot, you’re not the only one. Eight percent of people in your age group break out. To some extent, it’s unavoidable. As your body matures, your hormones over-stimulate your oil glands, causing them to make your skin oilier. And, if your parents were prone to pimples, you likely will be too.
Here are a few things that may help:
- After you exercise and get sweaty, be sure to wash your face and any other area that breaks out, like your chest or back.
- If you work in an environment that includes oily products like fast food, wash your face as soon as you get off work. The last thing you need is extra grease.
- Be sure when you use hair products like sprays or gels, they do not get on your face or they may clog your pores.
- Wash your face twice a day, gently, with fingertips, and pat dry. Avoid washcloths and scrubber pads. They’re too harsh.
- If you use a drying cream, stick to the directions. You may have heard the old saying, “if a little bit does a little good, a lot will do a lot of good.” Don’t believe it… at least not with skin creams. You may over-dry your face and make it red and swollen.
- If you’ve done all you can and still have serious complexion problems, ask your parents if you can see a dermatologist, then follow his or her directions to the letter. The doctor may be able to give you a prescription medication, or in cases that involve bad scarring, the doctor may recommend minor surgery.
Here’s an important note from psychologists: Teenage is when body image becomes a major focus. Breakouts can affect a teen’s body image, causing depression. Try not to let depression take over, because depression can make your breakout worse, starting a vicious cycle.
