Common beliefs about acne and spots

Acne is caused by not washing properly. False. Washing is irrelevant (though over-washing can sometimes make the skin too sensitive to use anti-acne medications).

 

Stress worsens acne. Probably true, though some experts think it is because we fiddle with our skin more when we are stressed. A study of students found that acne was worse at exam time (Archives of Dermatology 2003;139:897–900).

 

Eating chocolate, sweets or fried foods gives you spots. False. There is no scientific evidence for this.

 

Drinking lots of milk worsens acne. Possibly true, at least for women (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2005;52:207–14). (But remember that milk is good for building strong bones.)

 

Masturbation, too much sex or too little sex worsens acne. False – total myths!

 

You can ‘catch’ acne by skin contact, or by using the same flannel or towel as someone with acne. False. Acne is not infectious.

 

Greasy hair causes spots. False. The hair is greasy for the same reason that the spots are present (which is overproduction of sebum).

 

Acne is worse premenstrually. True. Many women notice their spots are worse during the week before a period. Some women find acne improves during pregnancy, while others find it gets worse.

 

Acne runs in families. True. You are more likely to get it if one of your parents had acne.

 

Acne affects only the face, chest and back. False. Although these are the most common sites, acne can affect almost any part of the body.

 

Acne usually clears up on its own. True. In most people, acne will clear up on its own after 7 or 8 years. But there is no need to wait that long, as effective treatments are available.

 

Acne always disappears in the late teens/early 20s. False. Many 40-year-olds have acne and, in a few people, acne can persist into their 50s and 60s (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1999;41:577–580).

 

Adults do not get acne. False. Some adults develop acne for the first time in their 30s, or women may develop it as part of the hormone changes at the menopause. In the past 30 years, severe acne has become less common in teenagers and more common in adults – no one knows why.

 

Taking drugs causes acne. Partly true. The drug ecstasy can cause an outbreak of acne; the spots last for several days. Inhaling solvents can produce spots around the mouth and nose.

 

If you are a male with teenage acne, you are more likely to have a heart attack in later life. False. In fact you are probably slightly less likely to have heart disease than men who have never had acne (American Journal of Epidemiology 2005;161:1094–1101).
 

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Thursday, May 20th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Optional on 02/06/2010 at 08:49:46 am

Interesting to read your article, I've had spots for years, they mostly appear to be big and red, although I also have small white heads. Not many but persistent. Mainly around my lower face and esp. my neck. I clean properly and avoid wearing make up. I have avoided different types of food too and drink water regularly. Not being a teenager any more they have to go, 40 with a life to live ( without spots!! )

Posted by prettygirl3 on 22/04/2010 at 02:10:36 pm

hi i have spots on the back of my neck for about 3 weeks now what could it be

Posted by sarah on 03/01/2010 at 10:31:00 am

im not sure if i have acne or not ,i have some litte red spots on my chin cheeks and forehead but i have 2 big red spots on the lower bit of my cheek and 2 around the edge of my face ? My mum had acne when she was little and she took a drug (cant remember the name of the drug) but it made her acne get worse , she had it till about 18 then it started to dissapear and evenchually they dissapeared but she still has scars and she is now 39. I hate my spots i dont want to go to school i feel like evryone hates me and im scared if they get worse peope will take the mick out of me :( please someone help, i dont want to go to the doctors because he mite say my spots arent that survier that he cant give any medication to me and im also a bit scared i hate going out becuase evryone looks at me and i know their looking and the massive spot on my head or the massive spot on my cheek i hate it !

Posted by Anonymous on 08/05/2009 at 10:31:00 pm

TO 13 - Believe me, the spots will get you too some day... When I was 13 I didn't have a single blemish either...

Posted by 13 on 14/04/2009 at 11:53:00 pm

iam haven't had one spot and iam 13 i think people get spot's cos they don't wash. use anti spot scrub evey day and night trust me it work's.

Posted by craig on 05/04/2009 at 05:31:00 pm

i have not got acne but i had a lot of spots i tryed some of the tips yo provided and i can say they worked i am continuing to use it as it has got rid of them all so thank you very much

Posted by Anonymous on 03/04/2009 at 09:28:00 pm

After years of suffering from acne rocacea and the redness and small spots Inow have full blown acne. This causes me great distress and I would appreciate any helpful advice.

Posted by T-NIGGS on 04/03/2009 at 02:55:00 pm

I GET SPOTS QUITE BAD ON THE BACK OF MY NECK AND ON MY SHOLDERS WHY IS THAT

Posted by virgina filangie on 15/02/2009 at 04:37:00 pm

is it acne when your chest and back have random red patches on the body, but only when wet?

Posted by olivia on 08/02/2009 at 10:35:00 am

is it true that spots can appear if you eat certain foods? for instance, i heard that oranges can give you spots on your forehead. i'm quite thin, and i'd like to put on some weight, but i don't want to get more spots in return. any ideas?

Posted by Elle on 20/01/2009 at 08:34:00 pm

I have spots on my legs. Is this normal? Also, how old do you have to be before you can take the tablets to stop them?