Arrivederci, Acne by David Constantine How to get rid of acne before it appears! print article      send to a friend

Why Do I Have Acne?

The first step in preventing acne is to know exactly what causes acne breakouts in the first place. So what exactly is acne? "It is a combination of bacteria in the pores and a clogging of the pores. The first acne lesion starts out as a blackhead or whitehead," says Amy B. Lewis, MD, a New York dermatologist. "If you really want to prevent acne or if you want to get to the early acne in teenagers and young people, you need to stop that blackhead or whitehead formation."

What causes the black- and whiteheads to form in the first place? "There are a bunch of causes," says Dr. Lewis. "Stress is a big contributor. So is using massage oils or moisturizers with a lot of oil. Also, hormonal changes are a big cause. And then there is genetics. Some people are just genetically programmed to get acne."

Many people believe that diet is the key to good skin health. The experts differ on this issue. Some believe that this is an old wives' tale that should be put to rest before another teen has to forego French fries and eat a salad instead. "It's a myth, says Dr. Lewis. "And so is the one about chocolate. Chocolate does not cause acne." Dr. Dennis Coughlin, MD, of San Diego disagrees somewhat. "Right now, we think that there is only one dietary factor that is very important: iodine. You must lower your iodine blood level. That means to use non-iodine salt and avoid certain foods that are high in iodine."

Fiction vs. Fact

Although most old diet myths are falsehoods, there is something to be said about environmental causes for acne breakouts. Dr. Lewis points out that many are oblivious to airborne acne causes. "Especially in cities, you can walk down the block and not even know that it's around you." Examples of such airborne acne activators are perfume, cologne, car exhaust, extermination fumes, smoke, smog, and aerosol sprays.

The Skinny on Prevention

There are a few important preventative measures that can help you avoid developing acne. "You can visit your dermatologist to get your face professionally cleaned, getting rid of early-forming white heads or blackheads," Dr. Lewis notes. "Cleansing your face, however, isn't going to prevent acne. Some people wash their face twenty times a day and that doesn't do it. But if you use a mild cleanser, with something in it that will clean out the pores, like a salicylic acid wash, or a glycolic acid wash, it would unclog the pores and you won't get the build up that traps the bacteria in there. You can also go get a facial once in a while from a reputable source." Dr. Coughlin emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle. "If you don't get eight hours of sleep a night, your face can't repair itself. Or if you are working two jobs and have a stressful schedule, that can also flare up your acne."

Over-the-counter acne prevention treatments can be helpful by clearing the clogged pores and removing some of the bacteria that can cause acne. "A good early start for people who have mild acne is to try a salicylic acid wash, then a benzoyl peroxide gel," says Dr. Lewis. Make certain those are the active ingredients in the product you buy.

For some acne sufferers, over-the-counter medications may not be enough, and the value of professional advice from the onset of your first breakout onward should not be underestimated. As Dr. Lewis puts it, "I think it's good to start by going to a dermatologist, so that they know your skin, whether you are dry or oily, what you can tolerate and what you can't. Even if you use over-the-counter medications, if you flare up, then you can touch base with a dermatologist who is familiar with your situation."