While you won't find too many people willing to argue that you don’t need food in order to live and further that too much eating of foods will have a tendency to produce obesity after a certain period of time, there is often a disconnect that the food that we eat probably doesn't affect our skin conditions, even though it affects the amount of space our skin encompasses, and of especial concern, the primary cause of embarrassing acne. While, there is plenty of documentation or propaganda put out there that says that the food that you consume has absolutely nothing to do with your possible development of acne, there are also medical doctors that have stated that diet most definitely makes a material difference in regards to whether you will or will not get facial acne. Taking into account, that few people actually desire to have acne, you would think it would behoove them to want to discover the truth of the matter.
For instance, Dr. Bailey at her website: www.drbaileyskincare.com states that: "Scientists have found that people who eat lots of highly refined carbs are more likely to get acne." In addition, as reported by www.abc.net.au, " There is a growing amount of research suggesting there is a link between diet and pimples (or acne), says Melbourne dermatologist Dr George Varigos… Varigos' research has found a diet high in refined, processed foods creates perfect conditions for pimples." These medical doctors make it clear that diet and in particular, refined carbohydrates have a strong correlation for the development of acne, which means rather than looking at acne, as a rite of passage for teenagers going through their hormonal changes, it is something that teenagers can take control of, apparently by changing their dietary habits.
Of course, on the other hand, acne and the resolution of it, is something that is very big business for not only Dermatologists but also companies such as Guthy-Renker's industry leader in acne treatment: Proactiv, which was developed by two Dermatologists. According to Wikipedia.org: "Sales amounted to $800 million a year as of 2010," and Proactiv is just one of many acne treatment products which are sold over-the-counter and are marketed to those suffering from acne and strongly desiring for something to alleviate their skin and acne problems. Additionally, Dermatologists can and do prescribe medications specifically to address skin acne.
The thing about medicine in the United States is so often the medicine prescribed or the solution offered is to treat the symptom but not to try to diagnose and to treat the underlying problem. The monetary advantage for doctors or providers of over-the-counter skincare products or medicine is that if the treatment is only of the symptoms, and not of the underlying cause, you will have a constant, consistent, and continuous revenue stream which benefits yourself and your company. On the other hand, if you deal with the underlying cause, to which the major responsibility of dealing with acne is handed back to the patient in the form of a more proactive course of action in regards to diet, and of the consumption of particular foods that are better for you and your skin as opposed to foods that have a strong tendency to exacerbate the conditions that bring on acne, you have provided good and practical advice, but on the other hand, have possibly undercut your own business income.
For anyone that has children going thru adolescence or remembers that stage themselves, or are in that stage presently, it seems fair and prudent to provide to them information that will empower them to take charge of their lives, and if by so doing, it eliminates or reduces acne, so much the better, as adolescence itself has troubles enough.