There's nothing more traumatizing than a surprise zit invading your face and throwing you back into the torturous memory lane of high school. Everybody gets them, and everybody has heard a million different things about them. Some say they're caused by chocolate, some say they're the devil jumping out of your pores, and some maintain that they're all caused by stress. To get the official ruling on all zit folklore, we called up Dr. Howard Murad, licensed skincare-prodigy, dermatologist, and founder of Murad, Inc..
Before we got to the nitty-gritty about the myths, Dr. Murad set a few things straight about zits and acne in general. For starters, men are more prone to breakouts than women, on account of thicker, more oily skin and the constant presence (as opposed to the cycling) of testosterone. He also urged men to be more cognizant of what's actually happening on their face: "There are a lot of imitators—things that look like acne, but aren't. If you know the difference, you can reduce the problem." Zits and acne have a kernel in them, like a grain of rice. Imitators may include things like rosacea or folliculitis. Know what's up before you start popping your face up.
Now, on to the myths, the rumors, and the lies.
Does Chocolate Cause Breakouts?
"Recently there's been a couple articles claiming that's not a myth. In my experience, it is. Essentially, diet, exercise, and emotional well-being are all associated with how you manage your skin. If you're eating only junk food and inflammatory foods, chances are you're going to get more breakouts. Chocolate is not inflammatory, and it actually has some antioxidant benefits." So go ahead and reach for that Hershey's bar, but go easy on the sugar-laden, gluten-heavy, and inflammatory stuff. If that leaves your fridge useless, Dr. Murad suggests "eating your water," by adding salmon, fruits, vegetables, beans, and other water-rich foods to your diet.
Do Clean Sheets and Pillowcases Help?
"It depends on how dirty they are. It's probably better to have clean sheets. If you really sweat and there's a lot of bacteria on your sheets, it can have an effect. If you're introducing bacteria onto your skin, you're more likely to have an inflammatory reaction." Though Dr. Murad suggests clean sheets (you guys should really change them at least every other week), he cautions that it's probably not a huge effect. But still, keep your sheets on lock. Don't be gross.
Is Popping Good? Bad? Disastrous?
Popping zits is a favorite pasttime for many a teen out there, but is it healthy? "First of all, I don't know anybody that doesn't pop their zits," Dr. Murad tells us (thank God). "Here's the issue: Acne is caused by bacteria in the hair follicle; it's not contagious and you cannot spread it. But you also have surface bacteria on your skin, and when you pop your zit, you're doing it in a non-clean way. Some of that bacteria can penetrate into the pore, and then you get a breakout that looks like acne, but it's actually associated with the other bacteria." In essence, you're getting rid of the zit but opening yourself up to a host of other inflammation-causing bacteria. But, as they say, "once you pop, the fun don't stop," so if you must, Dr. Murad says to clean your hands, put a warm towel on pre-pop, and use an antimicrobial treatment before doing the deed.
Can Vodka or Toothpaste Make a Zit Disappear?
This one spreads around college campuses like wildfire. The legend goes that if you dab some vodka or toothpaste on a zit overnight, it'll be magically gone by the morning (how collegiate). "Vodka is alcohol and an antiseptic, toothpaste is anti-inflammatory," Dr. Murad explained to us. "There is some validity to it. The alcohol in the vodka is helpful, and the benefits of the toothpaste are there." But before you go squeezing a tube of Crest on your face, know that there are other products that do the same thing—salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, for example. As for treatment, Dr. Murad says, "just a dab right on the top." And remember, there's no miracle cure for this stuff, so be patient.
Do Anxiety and Stress Cause a Breakout?
"Yes. It is true." Dr. Murad was pretty clear on this one, and unfortunately, it's not something that can be treated by a product of his, or anybody, really. The stress and anxiety you experience in your everyday life will take its toll, so the only thing you can really do is try and manage it like a pro. Stretch, run, relax, meditate, all that jazz. You'll be surprised at how much of an effect that will have on your handsome face.
Can Washing With Different Water Give Me Zits?
It might sound crazy, but a lot of people blame varying water supplies for their zits. It's not uncommon to hear such logic on college campuses, at summer camps, and from people who've just moved. "I've heard of it, but the more important thing is the cleansing," Dr. Murad said over the phone. "If you think about a college student, they're rushing, not showering as often as they did before. They're probably not using proper hygiene and they're probably eating more junk food, and they're under more stress." Though some may make a scapegoat of their water supply, just focus on the actual cleansing of your face and keep your routine as thorough as possible.
By John Jannuzzi | GQ Magazine
