Acne Tests

When you see a doctor about acne, you’ll have a physical exam, and your doctor will ask about your medical history. Women may be asked questions about their menstrual cycles. This information can help your doctor find out if hormones are playing a role in acne flare-ups. Most often, you won’t have any special tests to diagnose acne.

You may need other tests if your doctor suspects that acne is a symptom of another medical problem (such as higher-than-normal amounts of testosterone in a woman).

The Acne Test

Do you think you really understand acne? Do you have all the answers? Are you ready to take the acne test?

Below are several questions about acne. They are based on questions that everyone likes to ask and also answer. Several acne myths are also addressed in the acne test. Let’s get started!

True or False?

1. You will outgrow acne.

2. Acne is caused by dirt.

3. Acne is caused by chocolate.

4. Makeup makes acne worse.

5. Tanning beds reduce acne.

6. Good diet and exercise reduces acne.

7. Heavy washing and scrubbing reduces acne.

Answers

Will you outgrow acne? Maybe. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 17 million people in the United States have acne right now. 85-95% of all people between 12 and 24 are hit by acne. The sad truth is that acne can strike at any age. As you get older, your body changes and you could be a victim. This is especially true for women due to hormone changes, particularly during pregnancy and menopause.

Is acne caused by dirt and grime? To a degree, yes, but not really. Poor hygiene is only a minor cause of acne. That’s because acne is caused a buildup of dead skin and naturally produced body oils. This in turn will clog your pores and bacteria become active. The outcome is acne. Note that there are many other factors, such as genetics and environment.

Does chocolate increase acne? There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence that there is a substantial connection between diet and acne. However, there does seem to be at least a minor connection. Based on what thousands of people have reported, it is very likely that good eating habits contribute to better skin which will reduce acne. The bottom line is that you don’t have to give up chocolate, but you should only have it in moderation.

Does makeup increase acne? No, the use of makeup will not generally cause or increase acne. There’s one catch. The makeup needs to be oil free and hypoallergenic. So, feel free to use the right kinds of makeup, especially since it’ll raise self-esteem.

Does tanning reduce acne? Unfortunately, tanning will not reduce acne. It might decrease redness but the acne itself won’t go away due to tanning. Further, tanning increases the likelihood of dry and irritated skin. It’ll also prematurely age your skin and increase your risk for developing skin cancer.

Does eating well and doing exercise help eliminate acne? It does seem that good health leads to healthier skin, which reduces acne. A balanced diet can’t hurt. If nothing else, it will improve your body image. In short, eat well and get some exercise to reduce acne.

Does scrubbing really hard eliminate acne? The short answer is no. Again, hygiene isn’t really related to acne. You’ll want to regularly wash you face to remove dead skin cells, surface dirt, and excess body oil. But, too much cleansing or washing will simply lead to dryness and irritation. That can make acne a lot worse. The recommendation is to gently wash your face 1-2 times per day and avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners

Acne Treatments

Treatments for acne include:

* Antibiotics taken by mouth or applied to the skin to control the growth of bacteria
* Synthetic forms of vitamin A (retinoids) taken by mouth or applied to the skin. The retinoid Accutane is a powerful oral drug used to treat very severe cases of acne. Pregnant women most avoid Accutane because it can cause birth defects
* Prescription formulas of chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide
* Sunlight. However, sun exposure must be limited as it can cause skin cancer