The Link Between Diet and Acne

. . There is growing evidence suggesting a link between diet and acne. For years health professionals have gone back and forth about the role of diet in relation to acne.These debates about acne are almost as common as the skin problem itself. The exact cause of acne is unknown, but hormones, genetics, and emotional stress play a role. Several new studies have examined the possible link between diet and acne — especially carbohydrates and dairy products. The following is information provided by Whitney P. Bowe MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, and lead author of the article, “Diet and Acne,” published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: HIGH-GLYCEMIC INDEX FOODS COULD WORSEN ACNE "The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrate-rich foods based on their potential to increase blood sugar levels. Foods with higher glycemic index values raise blood sugar levels much quicker than foods with lower glycemic index values. The glycemic load (GL) takes into account both the quality and quantity of carbohydrates being consumed in a serving of food. For example, high-GI foods include white bread, chips, and white potatoes; low-GI foods include multi-grain bread, peanuts, vegetables, and beans. For years, there has been speculation that high-GI foods could contribute to acne. Recent research includes: A study of 23 Australian males ages 15-25 who followed a strict, low-glycemic load (LGL) diet provides the strongest evidence available of an association between glycemic load and acne. Specifically, this group of males experienced significant improvement in acne severity by adhering to a LGL diet. However, the participants in the LGL group also lost weight, which means the LGL diet may not solely be attributed to the outcome. Other evidence of the link between diet and acne stems from patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome because acne is a common symptom of this condition. Specifically, studies have shown that acne improves when these patients are treated with medications that improve their body’s ability to regulate or control blood sugar, and a low-carbohydrate diet also has been shown to stabilize these patients’ hormones, which can cause breakouts." So from this information it seems that the best diet for acne is low-glycemic -- not a bad diet for anyone, really whether they suffer from acne or not. A healthy balance of nutrients contributes to optimum overall health, which also contributes healthy skin. Not that food is a cure-all, but in conjunction with a doctor's care proper nutrition will likely put those who suffer from acne ahead of the game. Here's a few final dietary tips for abolishing (or at least abating) acne: 1. Watch for food triggers/keep a diary to find any patterns. 2. Follow your Doctor's treatment routine. It takes a long time to get rid of pesky acne, often up to 3 months. 3. Eat a low-glycemic diet, or at the least a healthy, balanced one. www.aad.org.

What is Differin?

Differin is an alternative to powerful but potentially dangerous acne medications like that Accutane and Retin-A. Differin has a stable chemical structure that makes it compatible with many other acne treatments and that minimizes undesirable side effects. It works the same way as Accutane and Retin-A but with far fewer side effects. When applied to the skin,only a small amount enters the bloodstream. This makes it safer for everyone, but especially for pregnant women. Sometimes Differin is combined with Benzoyl Peroxide if the ancne is anti-biotic resistant. Differin's effects are similar to those of retinol and Retin-A, and Accutane. All of these products desensitizes the skin to inflammation. Doctors often recommend combining Differin with other treatments to make it an even better weapon against acne. For example, the combination of Differin and the antibiotic clindamycin helps the skin absorb about twice as much clindamycin, killing far mor bacteria. Differin is also used with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel. A stronger concentration of benzoyl peroxide used with Differin. However, this is likely to cause burning, stinging, itching, and peeling. Also, there are doctors who recommend using both Differin and Retin-A. While this combination opens the skin, it can also cause dryness, so that there are always a small number of newly forming blemishes—unless the user follows a complete skin care routine including daily cleansing and use of moisturizer plus weekly exfoliation and microdermabrasion with a system like Exposed Skin Care. (Info from "Facing Acne")