Acne Quiz

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1. Does stress make acne worse?*

Yes
No

Answer: If you have ever felt your acne gets worse with stress, you are probably right. Stressful situations trigger the release of hormones including androgens which affect the oil glands and other chemicals that cause inflammation (redness) and make acne worse. Acne has been shown to become more severe in stressful situations, such as during examination periods.

2. Does what we eat or how we live cause acne or trigger flare ups?*

Yes
No

Answer: There is little evidence that lifestyle factors affect acne aside from stress. Research shows processes that happen within the body – mainly fluctuating hormone levels – are the main cause of acne. Acne is also an inherited condition strongly determined by our genes. Severe acne in particular tends to run in families. However, specific foods do aggravate acne in some people. More studies are needed to find out why.

3. Do acne spots develop quickly – in the space of a day or overnight*

Yes
No

Answer: No, it takes 1 – 2 weeks for a spot to fully develop. Spots start as microscopic, tiny bumps called microcomedos which cannot be seen with the naked eye. To prevent future spots from developing, you need to treat the entire area where acne appears not just the spots you can see today.

4. Can acne scars be prevented?*

Yes
No

Answer: Yes, in most cases early treatment of acne will control this condition and prevent the development of noticeable acne scars.

5. Should I wash my face 3 or 4 times a day to cleanse my acne-prone skin?*

Yes
No

Answer: No, gently washing the skin twice a day is sufficient to remove excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. Rinse with warm water. If you have been sweating heavily after exercising or wearing a hat or helmet, cleanse your skin or shower afterwards.

6. Some people are left with small, brownish marks after acne. Are these scars?*

Yes
No

Answer: These are not scars. This condition, more common in people with increased skin pigmentation such as Africans, Asians and Hispanics, is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH. After inflammation (redness), the skin’s normal recovery processes becomes overactive. One of the results of this is excess pigment produced at the site of acne spots.

7. Can acne last for several years?*

Yes
No

Answer: Yes, acne can be a long-term or ‘chronic’ skin condition that may last several years. Over this time, there may be periods of acne breakouts and times when it resolves. It is no surprise that acne is described as a frustrating, annoying and stressful skin condition.

Acne Quiz

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