Acne and obesity

High cholesterol blood levels are a key factor in many pathological metabolic pathways. Cholesterol is a starting point in steroid hormone synthesis which has testosterone as one of it's final products. Testosterone is the hormone that controls a man's behaviour and body development. When body fat is abundant, it can have a negative effect especially on the skin of a woman because of rising testosterone. Skin becomes oily which blocks it's the natural cleansing system by retaining all the impurities that reach the skin, slows cell exfoliation, and provides a good development medium for bacterium residing on the skin. Last but not least, cholesterol modifies insulin receptors which creates a hyperglycaemic state; this is proven to be one of the important mechanisms of type II diabetes. It's important in acne, because high sugar blood levels mean that more carbs reach the skin and "feed" the bacterium. It is very common for people with a rich carbohydrate diet to have acne.

The dermatologist sees patients with acne every day. Unfortunately it is more complicated than just treating the infection with antibiotics for the reasons above mentioned. Antibiotics seldom have effect on their own, so the dermatologist must analyse each situation and explain to the patient that he/she has to loose weight and reduce sugars from their diet, have a good skin hygiene, for this is the factor the drives the infection.

The skin has an amazing healing and repair capacity, that's why most teenagers skin remains without a mark after puberty and adolescence pass. It's blood supply to the superficial layer, the epidermis, is poor rendering most systemic antibiotics useless. Dermatologists usually have nutrition competence and are trained to give competent advice about weight loss diets or program, so he can diminish the negative action of the above mentioned factors. They can also guide you to a physician nutrition specialist with the help of whom you will surely have the perfect diet!

If you have weight issues and an oily skin with acne, then you have two good reasons to start loosing weight: a healthier body and a good chance of getting rid of those nasty pimples.