Not long ago I had someone write in and ask if marijuana caused bacne or acne.   Broken down into the various components of smoking or otherwise using marijuana through another delivery system there can be risks. There are several reasons that some people might experience a breakout after using marijuana. From changes in hormone levels to irritated skin from the smoke, some users of this herbal drug might experience acne breakouts.

The dangers of marijuana are often exaggerated, but any drug should be used with caution. Effects may vary from one person to another dependent on several factors such as the individual’s health or psychological predisposition. Cannabis is the plant that the drug many refer to as marijuana or pot is prepared from. It is used as a recreational psychoactive drug, or for medical use. The effect of psychoactive preparations is caused when the active chemical substance within the drug crosses the blood-brain barrier acting upon the central nervous system to affect brain function. Typically, these affects are changes in mood, perception, cognition, or even consciousness.

Since the use of cannabis is illegal in the United States with the exception of some states allowing its use for medical purposes.There are few studies on the long-term effects of its use beyond anything other than changes in brain chemistry. It is well established however that smoking, such as cigarette smoking is linked to breakouts due to skin irritation and the clogging of pores due to the smoke and exposure to impurities when the smoke is exhaled.

Another cause for concern is that the psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is terthydrocannabinol or THC. This compound also affects hormonal levels with even moderate use. Since one of the causes of acne is a change in hormonal levels, it would appear that anyone who typically suffers from this skin condition is taking a risk of an outbreak by using marijuana.

A dilemma that lovers of chocolate all over the world face whenever they pop a heavenly piece of delicious chocolate in their mouth is-Does chocolate cause acne! Well, you can finally heave a sigh of relief if you are an ardent lover of chocolate. Skin care experts have come to a conclusion that acne is not caused by the food we eat. Instead, it can be the result of dead skin cells that accumulate within our pores, excess skin oil or sebum or certain bacteria that cause skin problems. This also solves the riddle as to why so many of us who gorge on French fries and candies have luminescent skins, while others who survive on green leafy vegetables get a crop of acne every now and then.

The biggest myth that has haunted food lovers for long has been that oily foods result in oily skin that finally leads to acne. However, the truth is that greasy food does not result in oily skin. Even though that does not mean that you should head straightaway for a bag of French fries, it surely means that you need not worry about waking up with fresh acne in the morning if you have indulged yourself on some sumptuous dishes at dinner.  Changes in skin texture are mostly the result of hormonal fluctuations in the body. So, oily skin is mostly the result of hormonal changes within the body that in turn may be the result of a host of other reasons.

Foods and Acne; Breaking the link

The good news is that till date no definitive study has been able to link diet and acne. Most skin experts will advise you to thrive on fresh fruits, juices and raw vegetables for a clear, healthy skin but believe me, the chances of someone who practically lives on burgers and chips having a peaches and cream complexion is equally bright. Well, that still does not rule out that eating a particular food may result in a breakout as you could be allergic to that food. So, if you get frequent breakouts on eating a particular food, avoid it.

The possible link between chocolate and acne has been propagated mostly because of the high fat content of chocolates. Since it has been established that acne is caused by skin oil called sebum, it came as a natural conclusion to many that fatty foods, such as chocolates, will result in producing more sebum and thus lead to acne. However, research has established that eating fatty foods, such as chocolates, does not produce sebum. So, there is no definitive link between chocolate eating and the production of sebum.

Foods and skincare

Well, despite all the arguments above, we still cannot completely rule out the effect of diet on our overall health, and that includes skin. Many people claim that they get an outbreak of acne when they eat a particular item of food. While, as discussed above, no clinical study has proved a causal link between food and acne, it is possible that certain foods can cause an allergy related to the skin or may make acne worse.

So, even though, no one has been able to establish a clear association between foods and acne, it is better to eliminate certain types of foods from your diet if you feel they are making your acne worse. A simple test would be to remove that food item from your food intake for a few weeks and watch the results. If your skin shows a marked improvement after few weeks, then it is possible that you were allergic to that food.

Even though medical experts have not proved that acne can be caused by the intake of chocolates or greasy food, eating right still remains the best choice for those who wish to stay healthy and have a clear, radiant skin. Even though one cannot eliminate greasy foods from one’s diet altogether, foods like chocolates and French fries should be eaten in moderation as they may cause other complications such as obesity, high cholesterol and so on.

The fact also remains that eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, is surely good for our system and this eventually has an effect on our overall appearance that includes our skin. It has been proved that drinking lots of water flushes out the toxins from our body and this again is sure to improve the texture of our skin. On the other hand, the absence of a causal link between greasy food and acne should not be treated as a recommendation to intake oily food. Even if it’s your skin that is not being affected by this intake of oily foods, there are other detrimental effects of greasy food that you should be cautious enough to avoid.

Chocolate and skincare; something to celebrate!

In fact, chocolate lovers around the world may actually have something to celebrate. Food experts have proved that Dark chocolate contains flavenoids, an antioxidant that has been proven to lower cholesterol. This means that by eating a bar of dark chocolate occasionally, you may actually be lowering your chances of a heart disease. In fact, certain research studies have proved that eating a chocolate may actually reduce your chances of having acne. The credit for this again goes to flavonoids and the presence of antioxidants in a dark chocolate that not only fights acne, but prevents wrinkles as well.

Chocolate is also known to reduce stress, the most common enemy of healthy skin.  Stress results in stimulating the sebaceous glands, which in turn causes acne.  Chocolate activates the pleasure receptors in our brain, thus inhibiting stress. A hot cup of cocoa facilitates blood flow to the skin cells, resulting in a more hydrated and better looking skin.

Talking of the benefits of eating chocolate, it’s also worthwhile to mention a researcher who has claimed that eating chocolate leads to sexual desire and fulfillment. So, chocolate lovers around the world can now take their next bite of this heavenly delight without a care in the world!

Acne refers to a skin condition that is a result of the skin’s overproduction of oil. Oil glands secrete more oil than normal and this excess oil becomes trapped in the oil ducts thereby causing pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads, on the skin’s surface, usually on the face. Acne can sometimes include deeper, skin lesions known as cysts.

Skin experts believe that the primary cause of acne is the increase of androgen levels in the body. Androgen levels increase during the adolescent stage of an individual. The rising levels cause the oil glands to grow, causing the overproduction of oil. Excess sebum will then break down the pores’ cellular wall, leading to bacterial growth.

There are other studies however that indicate other causes. Examples of which include genetics; other suggest greasy or oil-based cosmetics can cause acne for some users; and hormonal changes during pregnancy can also cause acne.

There are myths about acne as well. It was believed that fatty or greasy food, including sugar and chocolate could cause or aggravate acne. However, these diet-related causes have never been scientifically proven. Of course a well balanced diet with plenty of water will always be recommended for a fit and healthy body but there are no particular diet restrictions to prevent acne.

Fortunately, acne can respond well to treatment, especially when it is provided early, during its onset.

Mild acne can very well be treated through several over the counter preparations such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, and sulfur. People with only mild acne will see positive results after several months of treatment.

Benzoyl peroxide usually in a gel form, helps dry up the oil in the skin and is also effective in killing the bacteria. Salicylic acid on the other hand, is effective in stopping the shedding of skin cells along the lining of the oil glands. Sulfur and Rercinol work by breaking down the blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

For some reason it can seem that when you have a problem as apparent as acne can often be, people seem to take perverse pleasure in telling you the cause is anything enjoyable or good to eat. Acne is not caused by eating chocolate, chips, or as some would have you believe…sex. Acne is caused by a reaction in the body that starts with changes in hormonal levels.  Nothing can change this hormonal imbalance, but there are measures to take when having an acne breakout that can reduce the symptoms of this problem.

Another statement you might hear is that acne is caused by an overactive sebaceous gland.  This is partly true.  What is being left out is how hormones start this problem that will eventually turn into a pimple, black head, or pustule.  During adolescence especially there are changes in the hormonal balance as the body itself goes through several developmental adjustments.  This is the cause of overactive sebaceous glands.

Sebaceous glands create and excrete a substance called sebum, which is an oily substance.  These glands are found throughout the body at the base of hair follicles. Hair follicles are found all over the body, as hairs grow everywhere from the top of the scalp to the toes. Most of the hair on the body is short, fine, and barely visible.  The sebum excreted from the sebaceous gland coats the hair, and gives it protection, and flexibility.  Without some small amount of sebum, all the hair on the body would be spiky, and coarse.

When there is a hormonal change or imbalance the glands are given a message to produce too much sebum, and the skin becomes oily.  This excess oil becomes trapped at the pore causing a blockage. This duct that carries the sebaceous oil is also blocked, and this causes the situation that results in a pimple.

The other problem also caused by hormonal level changes is the abnormal shedding of skin cells.  Dead skin cells will normal shed away, and are quickly replaced by new cells.  Like the sebaceous gland overproducing sebum, the shedding of cells can be influenced by changes in hormone levels.  These will also clog the pore, block the gland, and increase the likelihood of infection at this site.  This can lead to more than just the typical blackhead. A bacterium colony causes pustules, and occasionally the more painful boil or cyst.

Chocolate is not the bad guy in this case.  In fact, chocolate can do some good for those who are feeling a little blue about their problem skin.  This gooey treat can raise serotonin levels.  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter or brain chemical.  This chemical in the brain plays a vital part in regulation of mood and sleep.  Low levels of serotonin cause depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness.  Keeping the level of serotonin up can be achieved by diet.  Trying to keep a low carbohydrate diet for a long term is very hard in part, because these foods often do not trigger the reaction in the brain that raises the level of serotonin.

The good news for those who need a lift in mood is that natural foods like turkey, fish and sea food, bananas, eggs, beef, cherries and yes, dark chocolate will help raise the level of serotonin.

Besides the habit of wanting to ruin someone else’s good time, there is another genius of the chocolate-acne myth.  Chocolate can worsen any existing problems for someone with a gluten reaction.  A gluten allergy is known as celiac disease.  Anyone will a low tolerance for gluten will have mild to severe reaction to any food product containing this ingredient.  For some there is a momentary reaction in the stomach or gut.  For others the effect can be a short bout of stomach upset, or diarrhea.  Other problems that can occur frequently to an individual that spell problems with gluten are headaches, mental disturbances, and mood issues, all which occur after eating products containing gluten.

Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin a component of gluten.  The immune system reacts by damaging the lining of the small intestine.  As the small intestine absorbs the nutrients into the bloodstream, this can cause problems throughout the body.  Mainly the problems revolve around the body not getting enough nutrients no matter how much the gluten intolerant person eats. Along with anemia, weigh loss and abdominal pain a person with this condition might suffer more breakouts of acne as the body’s hormonal balance is disrupted.

The culprit is still not the chocolate itself, but the additives that many candy manufactures put in a bar or bon-bon. Malt can trigger the gluten reaction, and so can other types of ingredients. A safer bet for those who want chocolate, but react to gluten is to find a gluten-free recipe and make some at home.

Now that chocolate is let off the hook and the real culprits disclosed, it’s possible to look at ways to deal with the problem of acne. For teens there are some treatments that address the issue of hormone levels, however unless the acne is resistant to other types of medicine, and is occurring frequently and painfully most doctors will not opt for those treatments in a young person.  It is best to let nature take its course, and within a short time, the problem will resolve as the body adjusts to physical maturity.

In a person who has come to maturity a hormone problem might be treated by a doctor in a number of ways.  The most common for a woman having acne breakouts is estrogen.  This can be as simple as taking birth control pills containing estrogen.

For other patients with mild to moderate acne a doctor might suggest over the counter use of benzoyl peroxide in no less than a 15% solution, or salicylic acid which discourages the build up of oil on the skin.  Antibiotics are often the next course of action a doctor will take followed by a prescription for Isotretinoin for stubborn cases of mild to moderate acne.

Bacne Scars

Bacne scars can be the result of acne on your back that was serious enough to cause long term damage to your skin. There are a few means you can employ to reduce or even eliminate your bacne scars.

If you find yourself with scars from your acne, do not get discouraged. Most people end up with some scarring. Simply take action by seeing a doctor or by purchasing one of the products we recommend on our bacne products page so you can begin treatment. Your happiness is too important, so please act now.

Another option is to visit our acne forum where you can find out what has worked for others. As there are new treatments becoming available all the time, including many exciting clinical trials, it would be impossible for us to keep up. As such, we created these forums so that you can talk to others who suffer from bacne and experts on the subject.