Summary of general nutritional tips | The right diet for acne

Summary of general nutritional tips

It is very difficult to give general dietary advice to anyone affected by acne. A clear connection between certain eating habits and the severity or even the occurrence of acne could not be proven beyond doubt. The number of those who have noticed an improvement in their skin condition after a change in their diet is however large and a wide variety of nutritional advice and diet plans are in circulation.

In summary, it can be said that the skin is an organ that reacts very sensitively to the body’s state of health. Unlike the internal organs, however, it is outwardly visible to everyone and often bears witness to the individual’s state of health. Those who eat a healthy diet and take some of the above-mentioned advice to heart are doing their entire body and not least their skin a great favor.

Further possible therapy measures for acne

Modern medicine is based on several therapeutic approaches to approach a severe acne disease. In addition to various peelings containing fruit acid (fruit acid peeling), the so-called benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is used on the affected areas of the skin. The latter is a strong oxidizing agent that has an antibacterial effect and supports the detachment of the superficial, horny skin layer.

This prevents the closure and bacterial colonization of sebaceous glands. Creams containing linoleic acid can significantly reduce the occurrence of blackheads. Linoleic acid is a natural component of the uppermost skin layer (epidermis) and helps to regulate the water balance of the skin.

Relatives of vitamin A, so-called retinoids, can, when used as an ointment, dissolve blackheads and refine the skin texture. The systemic use of the retinoid isotretionin can permanently reduce sebum production. However, since this preparation can cause severe side effects such as depression, dry mucous membranes and hair loss, it should only be used in cases of severe, therapy-resistant acne.

In moderately severe and severe cases, antibiotics are used, which can either be applied directly to the skin or taken orally. The oral intake of antibiotics, including the tetracyclines which are often used in acne therapy, is considered to be significantly more effective than local application on the skin, whereby the anti-inflammatory active component is particularly effective. Light therapy (photodynamic therapy), in which artificially generated UV radiation is said to have an antibacterial effect on the skin, is controversial today.

Although the bacterial colonization of the affected skin areas can be significantly reduced, the keratinization of the upper skin layers is stimulated to the same extent, which in turn can lead to the closure of sebaceous glands. After discontinuation of the light therapy, the skin condition usually deteriorates again due to the now increasing bacterial growth.