June is Acne Awareness Month. Let’s see how much you know about acne – and whether the following statements are myths or facts.

1. Greasy Foods cause Acne?

This is a myth.

I tell my patients pizza will only cause acne if you rub it all over your face! Also, people think that chocolate specifically causes acne, but this has more to do with the dairy and sugar content.

Excess dairy and sugar can trigger hormonal changes, which promote inflammation and increase oil production on the skin. I think pizza and chocolate often get blamed for breakouts because coincidentally we women crave these foods more during the premenstrual cycle, and it during this time that our hormones fluctuate and when we break out. My best advice is to stick with organic milk and organic meats, which should not have hormones added to them.

2. Drinking lots of water reduces acne breakouts?

This is a myth. You know what drinking lots and lots of water gets you?

Lots and lots of visits to the bathroom! This is not to say that water isn’t good for our skin, since keeping hydrated keeps our skin looking supple and healthy. But drinking more water will not lead to fewer breakouts.

3. Hemorrhoid creams treat pimples

This one is a fact. While this is not the go-to treatment for acne, hemorrhoid cream contains active ingredients that can improve the appearance of pimples. This cream contains phenylephrine, which constricts superficial blood vessels in the skin, so a pimple appears less red, and contains a low potency hydrocortisone which helps decrease inflammation and swelling of a pimple.

4. Washing skin often to treat acne

This is a myth. Over scrubbing irritates skin more, and increases the redness and flakiness. The most important time to wash your face is probably at the end of the day, don’t rub your skin, be gentle!

5. There is a time to pop a pimple

This is true … but with reservations.

Every dermatologist will advise you not to pop a pimple, and include me there. But because many of you will anyway, let me say that the best time to do so is when the pimple has come to a head and is most superficial in the skin. You are more likely to squeeze out all the purulence completely (which is important), and less likely you are to scar your skin.

For more see slmdskincare.com.