Acne Prone? Fear Not, Food Is not the Cause

Stop worrying, says Paul Bowman, MD, a SLUCare instructor in the department of dermatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

“The idea that certain foods can cause acne is a myth that has been around for a long time,” he says. “Studies have not shown diet to be a significant cause of acne. Foods themselves - pizza and chocolate for example - do not trigger break outs.”

The American Academy of Dermatology says close to 100 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 17 have at least an occasional whitehead, blackhead or pimple. Yet despite being the most widespread skin disorder among teenagers and young adults, it is the least understood, constantly associated with things that actually have no significant relation – like diet, stress and poor hygiene.

Dr. Bowman explains that pimples come from a mixture of three things: hormones, oil and bacteria. Hormones stimulate the oil glands and keep them busy producing the oil that attracts and breeds bacteria on the face, neck and back. This combination of oil and bacteria gets into the pores, causing the inflamed bumps and patches we know as acne. During the teenage years, the oil glands are most active, giving the pores a greater chance of becoming clogged with bacteria and oil.

Teenagers are not the only ones to get acne. Bowman explains that although we associate acne with the teenage years the condition can affect people into their late twenties or thirties. In fact, some people get acne for the first time as adults. Acne is hereditary and its duration may depend on a person’s genetic predisposition.

At times, the fight with acne may seem like a hopeless battle, but Bowman reassures that with treatment, most cases can be greatly improved.

In the meantime Bowman suggests the following rituals to keep your face clean and clear:

• Wash your face no more than twice a day. Washing more this can actually irritate the skin and make acne worse.
• Use lukewarm water and a mild soap such as Dove or Cetaphil. Use your hands for gentle cleansing to avoid vigorous washing and scrubbing.
• Use oil-free lotion, make-up and sun block.
• If you wear make-up, keep it light. Make sure the label says it is “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic.”
• Pull your hair back, especially before going to bed, so it does not hang in your face. Wash your hair frequently if it is oily.
• Keep hairsprays and gels off of your face and neck.
• When a blemish appears, use a topical solution, such as benzyl peroxide, to prevent scarring and new blemishes from forming.

More often than not, acne is a completely treatable skin problem. Dermatologists can provide alternative ways to clear acne if it becomes persistent or unmanageable.

“Acne is a common problem and something that can be handled,” Bowman says. “Follow the basic guidelines and take care of your skin just as you would any other part of your body. See a dermatologist and treat it when necessary, but most of all be patient.”

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