Switch Up Your Diet, Solve Your Acne?
When it comes to acne treatment, two factors increasingly crop up as advocates for preventing and managing the condition: diet and skincare. Here at Cedars Dermatology, a Dermatologist-led skin clinic in Harley Street and Northwood, we have the skincare side of things sorted, with a range of treatments that can help improve the appearance of acne scarring as well as help treat active acne. These include treatments such as chemical peels, laser therapy, topical creams and lotions, and even medication.
However, diet is something we haven’t delved into too much here in our blog, and that’s because it can be a highly sensitive area for some. It’s also likely that diet isn’t the ‘sole cause’ of your acne – it could just be one of the factors behind it – and won’t be the only avenue to try when it comes to acne treatment. We might suggest, for instance, changes to diet and skincare to get the results you’re looking for.
In this special post, our Dermatologists will look at whether diet can be useful as a type of acne treatment.
A word of warning
Certain foods and diets are thought to impact on your acne, affecting the appearance of your skin and the delicate balance of oil. However, it’s worth knowing that many of these are still being researched, and effectiveness as an acne treatment is likely to vary from person to person. When making changes to your diet, it’s worth speaking to your Doctor first, and using a process of elimination to see what works.
What to avoid
According to Healthline, there are a few recommendations for things to avoid when you have acne:
* Fast food – acne is often thought to be caused by calorie-rich diets full of fat and refined carbs. So, fast food items are the obvious target, including things like processed meats and ‘junk food’.
* Refined carbohydrates – these include foods made with white flour, sugary drinks, and sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup.
* Dairy – milk may have an effect on the formation of acne, but it’s not yet known which types are problematic, and how much plays a role.
* Chocolate – not only does most chocolate contain dairy, but a study on cocoa power also seemed to suggest it could trigger an outbreak.
What acne treatment to try
There are plenty of suggestions for things to incorporate in your diet, which can help with acne treatment – for example, by reducing inflammation or cutting down on oil production in the skin. Again, talking to your Doctor is advised, but here are some you could try:
– Green tea – a naturally powerful antioxidant linked to skin hydration.
– Probiotics – these ”good bacteria” and yeasts aid digestion and gut health.
– Vitamins – A, D and E help with skin health and immunity.
– Turmeric – this spice is thought to actively discourage acne-causing bacteria.
– Paleo and Mediterranean diets – those rich in fruits and vegetables, and lean meats or fish, are linked to a reduction in acne severity.
Talk to us about your acne treatment
As expert Dermatologists, we know what works for your skin and would be happy to advise on appropriate acne treatments tailored to you. Get in touch with our Dermatologist-led skin clinics in Harley Street and Northwood to find out how we can help.