Acne Management
Acne. It’s a frustrating, embarrassing skin condition often considered a right of passage for unlucky teenagers. But those little imperfections find adults as well, commonly on the face and back. The buffet of topical creams and medications can lead to disappointing results. Fortunately, acne can often be resolved or lessened through nutrition. Often patients don’t realize how important diet is in treating (or aggravating) the skin.
Acne is caused by an inflammation of the hair follicles. Rapid turnover of cells causes a blockage of the follicle. This allows bacteria to grow, using the follicle’s oils and causing inflammation. Hormones play an important role by increasing the production of oils, explaining the link to acne with the adolescent years and adult females.
The management of acne begins with a thorough investigation of the diet. Sugar is the primary culprit in aggravating the skin. Eating foods that are high in refined sugars (table sugar, sucrose or high fructose corn syrup) will cause a rise in the body’s insulin. Too much circulating insulin can trigger inflammation in the body, including the skin. Rapid rising and falling of blood sugar over time also leads to inflammation of the skin.
Common high sugar foods include bread, pasta and white potatoes. The Standard American Diet (SAD), on average, exceeds the levels of sugars many bodies can tolerate. The body does in fact need sugar to create energy for the body. The trick is finding better sources such as grapes (which contain some sugar, but are a much better source of nutrition than say, a candy bar). Most fruits and vegetables are low in overall sugars and high in vitamins and minerals. Those who feel they need extra help with their skin should focus on proteins, vegetables and a moderate amount of fruit, as these foods don’t escalate the blood sugar as quickly. The rise in insulin from these foods is much more natural and in tune with what the body can handle.
Skin care is extremely important in the management of acne as well. Anything that irritates the skin increases the opportunity for follicles to become blocked and inflamed. Wash daily. Use lukewarm water and gently rub a mild cleanser into the skin with your fingertips. Splash the face to rinse, and gently pat dry. An over-the-counter acne cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide (an antibiotic) may be used as well.
Get Control of Acne
Many nutrients can help nourish the skin. Supplements can provide the healthy fatty acids, as well as antioxidants that help turn off the inflammatory component of acne. The goal of these nutrients is to help the skin heal faster while sound nutrition works to turn off the cause of the problem.
- Fish oils: 1,000 mg of EPA plus DHA for adolescents, 2,000 mg for adults, with food. This dosage can be taken all at once, or divided throughout the day. Fish oils provide the healthy fats needed for the skin.
- CoQ10: 50 mg daily, with food. This helpful antioxidant is now considered a useful nutrient for the skin to go along with its other benefits for the heart, brain and muscles.
- Vitamin C: 1,000 mg daily, with food. This vitamin is an antioxidant and is important for all connective tissue, which includes skin.
- Multivitamin: A good daily multivitamin is helpful for teenagers with lacking diets. This can supply some additional antioxidants along with some B vitamins to help the body manage stress.
- Probiotics: These supplements supply the good bacteria for the bowels. For those getting too much sugar and not enough vegetables, probiotics can help reestablish the much-needed good bacteria for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.
A supplement program for fighting acne must be married with the right foods, decreased sugar intake and nutritional support. Start with fish oils, CoQ10 and a multivitamin. Most patients see results in one month, continuing to improve over time.
I’ve followed the guidelines above, but my acne persists. What’s next?
This certainly is not uncommon, but it hasn’t hurt to establish good nutritional principles that you can carry throughout life. There are many successful medications that a physician can prescribe. Try to avoid long-term oral antibiotic use. These can destroy the healthy bacteria your body needs and increase the potential for antibiotic resistance. Consider topical retinoids based on vitamin A. The oral vitamin A product, Accutane, should only be considered for severe acne and only after exhausting other options. Consult a physician.
I’m a popper. Is that bad?
Squeezing zits causes trauma to the skin, which can put the surrounding skin at risk for more acne and lead to scarring. If you have whiteheads that you wish to get rid of, heat a pin or needle with a flame, let it cool, then puncture the lesion with the needle parallel to the skin. Do not stab the needle directly into the zit, as you may go too deep, causing unnecessary trauma.