Sun exposure helps acne.

This is one myth that does have a basis in science.  Ultra violet light (the kind the sun emits) can help to kill acne bacteria.  In fact, many different high intensity light sources can kill bacteria, but that fact alone may not get rid of acne.  Killing acne bacteria is only a small part of the treatment program.  To learn more about laser and light based devices for acne treatment, go to acne treaments. 

Although a limited amount of sun exposure may improve the appearance acne, most healthcare professionals will caution against using sun exposure as a way to treat acne.  Sun exposure (and overexposure) have many short term and long term detrimental effects. 

The most common short-term effect of unprotected exposure to UV rays is sunburn. With a sunburn often comes skin redness and tenderness, pain, swelling and blistering.

While UV exposure that results in sunburn increases a person’s risk of developing skin cancer, any UV exposure can cause long term damage to the skin including premature changes to the skin such as:

• Wrinkles
• Loss of elasticity
• Dark patches (“sun spots” or “age spots”)
• Actinic keratoses (rough, scaly spots that can sometimes lead to cancer)

In addition to the effect on the skin, the sun's rays can have a detrimental effect on acne scars such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and macules.  These can actually get darker when you spend time in the sun. In addition, sun damage and exposure increases the likelihood that your acne will leave other types of visible acne scars.

A common and related myth is that it is possible to use vitamins for acne treatment.  Using vitamins for acne is a myth related to sun exposure because the skin naturally absorbs and produces vitamin D as it absorbs sunlight.  However, it has been shown that too much sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, wrinkles and other types of benign lesions.