Acne is such a common problem, you?d think that the medical community would have it down by now but it doesn?t. In fact, there?s plenty of controversy surrounding everything from causes of to treatments for acne. It seems every dermatologist has his or her own opinion on acne causes and cures. Here are just a few.
Use Birth Control to Cure Acne
Very controversial, in part because birth control itself is controversial. But also, the medical community is split between the benefits and dangers of birth control in the treatment of acne.
The appearance of acne is caused partially by the release of male hormones, like testosterone. The thinking goes that if acne is triggered by the production of male hormones, birth control pills, which contain the female hormone estrogen, will counter- act the increase in testosterone. Problem is, there are known dangers associated with birth control in pill form. Plus, you end up with a hormonal cocktail streaming through your body. That?s why there?s such controversy about using hormone treatments to address what many (even dermatologists) believe is a minor problem for teens.
Stress Causes Acne
A recent study developed in the United Kingdom suggested that stress should be added to the list of known causes of acne breakouts along with environment and heredity. It does seem as though acne flares up when we?re stressed out, but there?s still plenty of controversy among doctors about the effects of stress on skin eruptions.
Accutane, Suicide and Birth Defects
Accutane is a prescription medication designed to treat acne. However, when you read the warning label on the meds, it?s downright frightening. Accutane should not even be handled by women who are pregnant because accutane has been linked to birth defects.
Even more controversial is the relationship between accutane and suicide. Much has been written about increased suicide rates among accutane users. However, medicinally-induced suicide is certainly a subject of controversy within the medical community.
The Food-Acne Controversy
Mainstream medical practitioners have long disregarded the relationship between diet and the appearance of acne. The textbooks have been telling dermatologists for years that there is no relationship between the types of food we eat and the development of acne. Even so, acne patients are usually put on a low-fat, no fast-food diet. If there?s no relationship between food intake and acne development, why the change in diet?
Several dermatologists have published papers insisting that as soon as their patients go back to the high fat diet, they experience breakouts of acne. The greasy diet myth was exploded years ago, or so we?ve been told. However, the controversy is far from settled ? even among the experts.
The Sugar-Acne Controversy
Some so-called experts have been pushing the idea that sugar is a main contributor to acne and that by cutting sugar from your diet you?ll eliminate any acne problems. While controversial, there?s no scientific evidence to support the claim that sugar causes acne.
Fish Oil Controversy
In 2005, a natural nutritionist published a paper which set forth the idea that by consuming more natural fish oils you will control acne. He wrote a book on the subject which stirred some controversy within the dermatology department. However, in the end, conventional science has yet to establish a connection between increased consumption of fish and the lessening of an acne problem.
What should you believe about acne?
It seems that every doctor, nutritionist and homeopathic doctor has his or her opinion on the causes and treatment of acne, and many offer the proverbial magic bullet ? the one simple treatment that will eliminate the problem. There is no magic bullet. It?s bunk. The development of acne is a complex process involving internal and external factors and no one treatment will address all of the contributing factors.
Acne isn?t life-threatening but it can be life altering and there are people who will take advantage of others who have a problem with acne. The best advice you?ll ever get is to see a doctor if the problem is serious. If it?s more of an annoyance, there are plenty of safe and healthy things you can do to cut down the number of times you breakout.
In fact, a well-balanced, healthy diet is one of the mainstream recommended treatments for acne. A healthy diet leads to healthy skin which can better fight the bacteria that causes acne in the first place.
You can believe what modern medicine tells you about the causes of acne ? clogged, infected pores. And you can believe that regular, gentle washing will eliminate some acne problems.
You can also believe that there are safe, gentle products that help fight minor acne ? cosmetics, skin treatments, soaps and other products designed specifically to reduce the appearance of blemishes.
What you can?t believe is every crackpot idea or remedy that makes the rounds in school hallways. There are people ready to take advantage of those with serious acne problems. Stick with modern medicine on this one, follow your doctors directions precisely and keep at it. In time, your acne problem will disappear or diminish if you do.
