Because June is National Acne Awareness Month, the Chicago acne treatment specialists at Nima Institute would like to help clear up certain myths associated with this condition. Nima Skin Institute is a medical and cosmetic dermatology facility located in Chicago. Acne treatment is one of the medical treatments they provide for patients.
Myth 1: Because acne is a skin condition only affecting the outside surface of the body, many people believe that it is merely a cosmetic condition.
Truth: Acne is a medical condition caused by the chronic inflammation of the hairs and hair follicles. It is often treated by over-the-counter products, but in more severe cases, prescription medication is prescribed by a dermatologist.
Myth 2: People believe that chocolate and oily foods are main contributors of acne because oily skin is often considered a direct cause for acne breakouts.
Truth: There is no proven correlation between chocolate and fried foods causing acne; however, because acne often involves the formation of clogged pores, comedogenic, greasy products can result in acne breakouts.
Myth 3: Acne, just like many other health conditions, is believed to be caused by stress. This may be because stress tends to be the culprit for other issues, such as weight gain or loss, loss of hair and fatigue.
Truth: Stress itself has not been proven to cause acne, however stress affects levels of sebum, which, in turn, can make acne worse. In some cases stress or anxiety medications can actually act as a contributor to acne rather than the stress itself.
National Acne Awareness Month initiatives
Be Confident in Your Own Skin: This program was designed for mothers of teenage girls affected by acne, as well as to alleviate some of the self-esteem issues that are often associated with acne. Parenting professionals come together in an attempt to give teens and their parents a better understanding of acne and the treatments involved.
Seventeen magazine Contest: Teen lifestyle magazine Seventeen returns this year with their contest for young girls to enter to have their stories published in the magazine. Young ladies will be asked to convey a message to their peers in regards to how acne has affected them and how they’ve managed to deal with it. The grand prize winners will be announced in an issue of the magazine.
These myths and truths were provided by acnemonth.com and can be explained further if you visit the Web site. Also, be sure to take advantage of the initiatives of National Acne Awareness Month sponsored by the American Acne and Rosacea Society. Some are listed above, but be sure to visit the official site in order to take full advantage of the campaign.
