BE SURE TO GET ENOUGH FIBER: Eat a diet that is high in fiber. This is important for keeping the colon clean and ridding the body of toxins.

EAT MORE ZINC: Include foods rich in zinc in your diet, including shellfishk, soybeans, whole grains, sunflower seeds, and a small amount of raw nuts daily. Zinc is an antibacterial agent and a necessary element in the oil-producing glands of the skin. A diet low in zinc may promote flare-ups.

AVOID ALL FORMS OF SUGAR: Sugar impairs immune function. In addition, biopsies of individuals with acne have shown their tissues' glucose tolerance to be seriously flawed.

ELIMINATE ALL PROCESSED FOODS: Highly processed foods contain high levels of iodine, which is known to worsen acne. For the same reason, avoid fish, kelp, and onions.

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Lifestyle Changes

• OIL FREE IS THE WAY TO BE: Keep the affected area as free of aoil as possible. Shampoo your hair frequently. Use an all-natural soap with sulfur that is designed for acne (available at health feed stores). Wash your skin thoroughly but gently; never rub hard. Vigorous scrubbing can make acne worse.

  

• AVOID WEARING MAKEUP: If you feel you must use cosmetics, use only natural, water-based products; do not use any oil-based formulas. Avoid any products containing harsh chemicals, dyes, or oils. Wash and dip makeup applicator brushes and sponges in alchol after each use to avoid contamination.

• NO FRICTION: Friction makes pimples more likely to rupture, so avoid wearing tight clothing like turtlenecks. Carefully adjust straps on sports equipment such as bicycle or football helmets. Even using the telephone can exacerbate inflammation if you hold the receiver against your cheek for long periods.

• AVOID STRESS: As much as possible, avoid stress. Stress can promote hormonal changes and cause flare-ups. Many dermatologists also recommend fifteen minutes of sunshine each day, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep for people with acne.

• DON'T POP OR SQUEEZE: Do not squeeze the spots. To do so is to risk increasing the inflammation by causing breaks in the skin in which harmful bacteria can lodge. Do not touch the affected area unless your hands have been thoroughly cleaned.

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Medical Options and Precautions

DRUGS:

• Isotretinoin (Accutane): This drug is used for severe acne cases. it disrupts plug formation and shrinks the sebaceous glands. Isotretinoin cures or greatly reduces acne in about 90 percent of the people who use it, but it can cause side effects like dry skin and nosebleeds. It can also be dangerous if a woman taking theis drug becomes pregnant, because it can cause severe birth defects, such as fetal brain deformities.
  
  
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