Eight out of ten people get facial spots at some point in their lives, mostly during their teenage years. As a teenager, how much do you know about the causes of skin problems and, more importantly, how you can deal with them? You might be surprised at how much "common sense" about skin care is simply not true. Let's look at these statements and see if you can separate the myths from the facts.
十個人當中有八個在一生中的某個時期會冒痘子，大多數是發生在青少年時期。身為一名青少年，對於肌膚問題的成因以及更重要的是如何處理，你了解多少呢？你可能會覺得很意外，對於那些有關肌膚保養的「基本常識」可能根本不是對的。我們現在來檢視這些說法，也看看自己能不能分辨哪些是事實，哪些是迷思。
1. People get spots because their face is dirty.
1. 會長痘子是因為臉很髒。
False. Skin problems tend to occur when oil, bacteria, or dead skin cells block your pores. These are tiny holes that let your skin breathe. In fact, washing your face too often may worsen the problem. Once or twice a day is enough.
錯。肌膚問題傾向發生於當油脂、細菌或老廢皮膚細胞阻塞你毛孔的時候。毛孔是讓皮膚呼吸的小孔。事實上，洗臉次數過多可能會使肌膚問題惡化。一天一到二次就足夠了。
2. Fast food can give you acne, and so can chocolate.
2. 吃速食會讓人長痘痘，巧克力也是。
False. According to Dr. David Bank, a skincare expert in New York, there is no direct link between eating fast food and skin trouble. But having too much greasy food can raise blood-sugar levels, which has been shown to be related to acne. So, when you eat fast food, maybe you should choose something non-fried. As for the claim that chocolate causes spots, it's just another common myth. It depends on how much fat and sugar it contains.
錯。根據紐約的肌膚保養專家大衛．班克醫生表示，吃速食與肌膚問題沒有直接相關性。但是，攝取過多的油膩食物會使血糖升高，這已證明與痘痘有關。所以，當你在吃速食的時候，或許該選一些非油炸類的東西。至於巧克力會引發面皰的說法，不過又是一個常見的迷思。要視其油脂與糖分含量而定。
3. Stress can give you spots.
3. 壓力會讓你冒痘子。
True, but not completely. Stress alone isn't the cause of spots—age and hormones, for example, also play a part—but stress can make your skin more sensitive and worsen any spots that you already have. A survey by Temple University in Philadelphia found that the severity of acne is related to stress levels. Anyway, you can try to find positive ways of reducing stress. Your mental health will certainly benefit, and your skin may even become healthier as a reflection of that.
對，但又不完全正確。單一因為壓力並不會引發面皰－－像是年齡和賀爾蒙都有可能造成面皰－－但壓力會讓皮膚更敏感，而使你原來就有的面皰變得更嚴重。費城的天普大學調查發現面皰的嚴重程度與壓力程度有關。無論如何，你可以想辦法找到積極的減壓方法。你的精神狀況必定會因此受惠，而你的皮膚也會反映出這個事實並變得更加地健康。
4. When pimples appear, you should gently pop them.
4. 冒痘子時，應該要輕輕擠壓。
False. Don't pop your pimples at all, not even gently. A popped pimple may appear less obvious for a while, but it will stay around for longer. By squeezing spots, you actually push bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil further into the skin, which causes the skin to swell and redden more. You may even end up with an ugly scar on your face.
錯。千萬不要擠痘子，連輕輕擠也不行。擠痘子可能會讓它暫時變得不明顯，但是這樣會讓痘痘更難好。擠痘子時，其實會把細菌，老廢的皮質細胞和油脂都推進皮膚裡，讓痘痘更紅腫。你甚至可能會在臉上留下難看的痘疤。
5. You need to use moisturizer even if you have oily skin.
5. 即使是油性膚質，也應該使用保濕霜。
True. Experts say that even oily skin can benefit from using moisturizer every day. However, it's best to use an oil-free moisturizer that doesn't block the pores or trap dead skin cells.
對。專家說每天使用保濕霜即使是對油性肌膚也有助益。但是，最好要使用無油保濕霜，才不會阻塞毛孔或囤積老廢皮膚細胞。
If you're often confused by the facts and myths about skin care, maybe it's time for you to learn more about it. Ask your doctor, or a skin specialist, for dependable advice, rather than believe everything you hear.
如果你經常搞混皮膚保養相關的事實和迷思，也許現在正是你該學學相關的知識。去請教醫生或是向皮膚科醫生尋求可靠的建議，而不是一味相信所有你聽到的事。
