Acne
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects up to 10% of the population worldwide. It is characterized by inflammatory skin lesions, such as comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) caused by excess sebum production, bacterial overgrowth, and hyper-keratinization. Certain dietary choices and supplements can help to treat these causes while improving skin health and perception.
Acne falls under theSkin, Hair, & Nailscategory.
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects teenagers but can also affect adults. It is characterized by inflamed lesions like papules, pustules, and comedones, which result from clogged hair follicles due to oil and dead skin cells.
The main signs and symptoms of acne vulgaris include inflamed and clogged hair follicles, which can manifest as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and nodules. Diagnosing acne vulgaris can be challenging due to its similarity to other skin conditions.
Acne vulgaris is diagnosed through clinical judgment because there is no universal method; various definitions and grading scales exist that assess severity based on photographs and the number of lesions. The severity is categorized into mild, moderate, or severe based on the presence of inflammatory lesions, nodules, scarring, and psychological effect.
The main medical treatments for acne vulgaris include topical treatments (such as antibiotics and retinoids), oral treatments (including antibiotics and isotretinoin), and physical interventions (like chemical peels and laser therapy). These treatments aim to address the primary causes of acne, including excess sebum production, inflammation, and bacterial overgrowth.
Certain supplements, such as zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B5, fish oil, green tea extract, and probiotics, may improve acne vulgaris, whereas others, such as iodine, whey protein, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, can worsen symptoms, particularly at high doses.
Diet can significantly influence acne vulgaris, and a low-glycemic-index diet, supplemental omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics may potentially improve symptoms, whereas dairy consumption, especially whey protein, may worsen acne severity.
Many nonmedical treatments for acne vulgaris have been researched, but evidence that supports their effectiveness is generally low or nonexistent. Although tea tree oil and bee venom may have some weak benefits, treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine are not helpful and could potentially worsen the condition.
The exact causes of acne vulgaris remain unclear, but genetics, hormones, infections, diet, and stress may play roles. The condition's development involves 4 key factors: excess sebum production, overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes, hyperkeratinization, and inflammatory processes.
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