Acne - facts and fiction

Does diet affect acne?

No direct link has been found between acne and diet. It is a myth that chocolate and fried foods make acne worse. However a good balanced diet will improve your general well being and this will be reflected in the condition of your skin.

Does sex affect acne?

No. Although the sex hormones testosterone is the primary cause of acne you do not develop spots because you have too much of this hormone or are over sexed. Masturbation and whether you have sex or not has no effect on acne and certainly does not cause it.

In this section

Is acne caused by dirt?

No. The black of blackheads is due to the pigment or colouring of the plug of sticky cells blocking the hair duct. In fact most people with acne wash more frequently than those without the condition to try to clear away the excess oil produced by their skin. But over washing can actually make acne worse by drying the skin and making it sore. Normal regular washing with mild soap twice a day is all that is needed. If you a combination skin, non-oily moisturiser on dry patches will not make acne worse.

Does acne become worse before periods?

Yes. Many women notice that their acne gets worse two to seven days before their period starts. This is probably due to changes in their hormone levels at this stage in the menstrual cycle.

Will pregnancy improve acne?

Yes and no. Some women's acne virtually disappears but often recurs at the end of pregnancy while for others pregnancy heralds the reactivation of acne or the worsening of an existing condition.

Does sweating affect acne?

Yes. Up to 15% of sufferers find their acne flares up when they have been sweating a lot. This is probably due to water swelling the partial hair duct obstruction causing a complete blockage and therefore inflammation.

Do humid atmospheres make acne worse?

Yes. Going on holiday to a very humid climate or working in an environment such as a kitchen or steam room can cause acne to flare up in the same way as sweating does. This is due to hydration and swelling of the ductal blockages which precipitate the inflammatory phase of acne.

Can medicines make acne worse?

Yes. Many medicines may do this, most commonly cortisteroids and anti-epilepsy drugs. If you think that medicines you are taking have made your acne worse, you should speak to your doctor. Never stop taking medication without medical advice.

Can cosmetics make acne worse?

Some cosmetics, particularly those in the USA and the ethnic Indian make-ups may induce blackhead formation in the skin.
Certain hair oils or pomades, particularly those used to "defrizz" very quickly very curly hair may induce blackheads and whiteheads along the hair margin. These should be avoided by those with a tendency towards developing acne.
In the same way, some people react to suntan oils with a worsening of acne. Always test suntan oils on a small area of the chest first to make sure you do not react to them.

Can clothes affect acne?

Continual pressure from headbands, tight bra straps and collars may cause spots in those areas of the skin. The reason for this is unclear but may be related to localisation of sweat in those areas.

Can my work exacerbate my acne?

Yes. Coming into contact with cutting and mineral oils can cause acne-like spots on the arms and legs and make existing acne worse where the oil comes in contact with the skin.

We are indebted to the Acne Support Group for their help in compiling this section.