| For some people, acne represents nothing more than | | | | the skin's natural melanin, which turns black once it |
| the key to the door into adulthood - almost a rite of | | | | comes into contact with the air. Some people will even |
| passage as the body changes. As the most common | | | | claim that over-washing can cause acne, but this may |
| disease in the world, it is often taken for granted that | | | | be hard to prove. |
| spots, blackheads and greasy skin will stake their | | | | 4. Acne is caused by too many hormones. Hormones |
| temporary claim on the faces of almost everyone in | | | | have a large role to play in the formation of acne, but it |
| the world. | | | | is easy to misunderstand this as the body producing |
| However, for approximately 15% of people, these | | | | too many hormones. In one acne clinic held at a top |
| spots will persist, or be widespread and scarring. With | | | | Leeds centre for acne research, all patients attending |
| surprisingly poor, inadequate information available to | | | | that day's clinic were asked to provide a blood sample, |
| teenagers about acne management, many do not | | | | which was later analysed for hormone levels. There |
| even realise the pharmacy assistant and pharmacist | | | | was no significant increase in male hormones in these |
| are able to provide help. | | | | patients, which suggested that it is therefore sensitivity |
| How much do you really know about acne and its | | | | to male hormones present in normal levels in the skin |
| causes? Do you know that there is no proven link with | | | | that is to blame. |
| diet and acne? Did you realise that not everyone | | | | 5. Everyone grows out of acne. Acne usually has a |
| grows out of having acne, with 5% of women and 1% | | | | four to eight year timeline from start to finish. If you get |
| of men in their 40's still suffering from a 'teenage' | | | | it when you are 12 you should se the end of it |
| problem? | | | | between 16 and 20. The average age range for acne |
| What are the Common Acne Myths? | | | | is 14 to 22. However Acne can persist into adulthood |
| The starting point of correct acne management should | | | | and 8% of acne sufferers are over 40 It is rare to |
| start from clearing up the myths: | | | | have acne for a lifetime, but some people will not grow |
| 1. Acne is caused by food. Scientific studies have not | | | | out of their acne. Research from Leeds University |
| found a link between diet and acne. Prisoners in the | | | | suggests that acne lasts on average for eight years. |
| United States were enrolled on a trial to determine | | | | 6. Acne and spots are not same. Many people will try |
| whether chocolate had a direct effect upon the | | | | to distinguish between acne and spots. In fact, acne is |
| sebaceous glands. At the end of the trial, it was | | | | just the medical name doctors give for spots. |
| concluded that acne was not affected by chocolate | | | | However, someone with the occasional, mild spot |
| consumption. However, it is always sensible to advise | | | | would not be described as having clinical acne. |
| a healthy, balanced diet, whilst reassuring that food will | | | | Approximately 15% of all people who have 'spots' will |
| not affect acne. | | | | require further help from a doctor to treat their skin. |
| 2. Acne is contagious. Doctors have studied the effect | | | | 7. Stress causes acne. The ordinary stress in day to |
| of extracting pus from one spot and injecting it directly | | | | day living is not an important factor in acne. Only |
| into unaffected skin. This experiment concluded that it | | | | situations of extreme stress, such as divorce, exams |
| did not spread spots. | | | | or death of a close family member may induce acne |
| 3. Acne is caused by dirt. Spots are caused by activity | | | | or make existing acne worse; however this is not |
| beneath the skin and therefore surface dirt will play | | | | common and will usually respond well to usual acne |
| only a small role in the formation of acne. People think | | | | treatments. |
| that the black in a blackhead is caused by dirt, but it is | | | | CONTINUED IN PART 2, COMING SOON! |