acne myths cleared up

Acne Myth: Acne is caused by dirt.

Acne Fact: Acne is not caused by dirt. And no amount of scrubbing with soap and water will do anything to help clear it up. In fact, too-frequent washing can have the opposite effect. Why? Because aggressive scrubbing can irritate skin; and stripping away oil can trigger even more oil production—and both these things can make acne worse.

Acne Tip: Use a mild, soap-free cleanser just twice a day to gently remove oil, dirt, impurities and dead skin cells.

Acne Myth: Acne is caused by candy and french fries.

Acne Fact: Acne is not caused by what you eat—in practically all cases. Because it takes about three weeks for a pimple to emerge, if one shows up the day after you ate a bunch of chocolate, there is no connection!

Acne Tip:There are all kinds of great reasons to eat a healthy diet, but getting rid of your acne—unfortunately—is not one of them.

Acne Myth: Only teenagers get acne.

Acne Fact: What IS true is that 90% of teens get acne—but also about 50% of women and 25% of men get acne at some time during adulthood, sometimes for as long as 20 years.

Acne Tip: Genetics and hormones are the acne triggers in everyone. In adults, stress can have a profound effect on hormones which, in turn, can cause acne to flare up. Relaxing can really help!

Acne Myth: Spot treatment works best.

Acne Fact: It takes two to three weeks for a pimple to break out, which means that spot treatments are futile in terms of getting at the root causes of your breakout and will not prevent future breakouts.

Acne Tip: As an alternative to frustrating spot treatments, Proactiv pioneered the concept of regular twice-daily maintenance with a medicated skin-care system designed to help prevent breakouts from happening in the first place.

Acne Myth: Acne is no big deal.

Acne Fact: Sure, in one respect, acne can be seen as a common skin condition without serious health consequences, but in fact acne is a profoundly serious condition that can have devastating consequences—emotionally, socially and physically.

Acne Tip: The longer you suffer acne breakouts, the more likely you are to have permanent scarring, so seek treatment right away. If your condition is severe, see a dermatologist; if mild to moderate, try Proactiv.

Acne Myth: Sun exposure helps clear acne.

Acne Fact: Sun exposure makes acne worse. Perhaps the myth started because light tanning may hide some red marks, but the sun causes skin cells to shed even more—and that's a major acne trigger.

Acne Tip: Many sunscreens also make acne worse, because they can clog pores. Look for oil-free sunscreen labeled non-comedogenic—which means it's proven to not block pores.

Acne Myth: Acne is curable.

Acne Fact: Acne has no cure—not with the most expensive prescription medication; not with the best over-the-counter system. However, acne can be healed and controlled with daily maintenance therapy with proven acne medicines.

Acne Tip: Acne is a chronic genetic and hormonal condition that can last for years or even decades. Acne has a cycle that the Proactiv 3-Step System is designed to disrupt. With daily maintenance, someone with acne can enjoy a complexion that's as clear as someone who has never had acne.