WebMD Ask the Dermatologist

Diet for Great Skin: Ask the Dermatologist

Dermatologist Nicole Rogers, MD, answers your questions about the relationship between a healthy diet and healthy skin.

Question:

Is it true that I shouldn't use any products on my skin if they are not safe enough to eat?

Answer:

This may sound like wise advice. But the reality is that most effective products used for the treatment of acne, or rosacea, or most other skin conditions require more than food products or supplements can provide.

Question:

I have polyps around my neck. How can I get rid of them?

Answer:

These are referred to as skin tags and they tend to run in families. They are not dangerous. But they can become very bothersome cosmetically and especially if they get tangled in one’s clothing or jewelry. They can be easily removed by your dermatologist by either cauterization, by freezing with liquid nitrogen, or by snipping them with scissors after numbing them, of course. They may come back after being removed, but would probably take several years or more to do so.

Question:

What kind of foods should I include in my diet to prevent wrinkles?

Answer:

It's helpful to ingest foods that are high in antioxidants. These foods can help absorb the free radicals created in your body by UV light exposure, which can break down collagen and create fine lines and wrinkles. Foods high in antioxidants include dark berries such as blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Beans are also high in antioxidants, including red beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Also, drinks that may be helpful include green tea, red wine, and coffee, all in moderation of course.

Question:

I have small dark bumps on my forehead that don't look like blackheads. What could they be?

Answer:

Most likely they are either milia or sebaceous hyperplasias. Both are sometimes confused with acne. You should see your local dermatologist in order to properly identify and treat these bumps.

Question:

Could the acne on my back have anything to do with my diet?

Answer:

You have most likely genetically inherited your acne. However, your breakouts may get worse when you eat more of certain foods. Many studies have been conducted concerning the connection between diet and acne. And so far the most conclusive evidence is that a high glycemic index diet (a diet high in refined sugars) can worsen acne breakouts. Some data also suggest that dairy foods can worsen acne, due to presence of certain androgenic hormones in cow's milk. If you notice a link between when you consume dairy and the severity of your acne, you may benefit from eating dairy substitutes and products that don't contain casein or whey.

Question:

I'm almost 14 and I have very oily skin. I have lots of spots on my face that can get really red sometimes. I don't drink soda or carbonated drinks and I lead a fairly healthy and active life. So what could be causing these spots?

Answer:

Ask your parents if they had acne when they were teenagers. The teen years are the time when breakouts on the face, chest, and back typically develop. In most cases, having acne has nothing to do with your diet or activity level. It simply runs in families. Fortunately, there are many excellent treatment options. See your dermatologist or pediatrician to discuss treatment options. It may be as simple as an over-the-counter product, or you may require a prescription drug.

Question:

What foods and nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy skin?

Answer:

Most people who have a well-rounded diet will be able to maintain healthy skin. However, to really brighten the skin, I recommend ingesting plenty of beans, berries, and citrus foods, which are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that can combat damaging free radicals in the skin. It can be found in raw tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and papaya, among others.

Question:

What causes boils? Could I be eating something that would make me more prone to developing them? If so, what?

Answer:

"Boil" is another term used to describe an abscess, which is a localized soft tissue skin infection. It usually results from staphylococcus bacteria, or staph, entering the skin through a puncture such as an insect bite or some other minor trauma to the skin. Certain forms of staph, such as MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus), can be especially difficult to treat and may require prolonged treatment (a month or more) of oral antibiotics. Your diet really has nothing to do with developing an infection.

Question:

Is soft water better for skin care than hard water? Does it matter which kind I drink as it relates to my skin?

Answer:

Soft water contains only sodium ions. Hard water contains other dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. The "cleanest" washing would be with soft water that contains only sodium ions. The other minerals in hard water can appear as spots on your dishes that are present even after washing. They can also create a film and residue inside sinks and bathtubs. Likewise, skin and hair that is washed with hard water may look comparatively dull or feel sticky. Beyond that, no scientific studies have been performed to tell exactly how the ingestion of soft water or hard water translates to better skin.

Question:

I'm a 25-year-old woman. My skin has become very dry and I have wrinkles around my eyes. My eyelids have started drooping, too. I've tried a lot of OTC creams but nothing has helped. Is there something I can change about my diet that could help my skin?

Answer:

If your skin has become so dry in such a short period of time, I recommend that you see an endocrinologist to have your thyroid checked. Underactive thyroid can often result in very dry, wrinkled skin. Beyond that if your overall health is good, you could move to an OTC or prescription retinoid which can help rejuvenate your skin by increasing cell turnover and shrinking and tightening pores. Ingestion of various antioxidant foods, such as blueberries, tomatoes, and red wine, can also have a positive effect on the skin.

Question:

I am a black woman with a medium brown complexion. I have small dark bumps on my upper arms, on the back of my thighs, and on my upper back. They look like a combination of freckles and acne scars. But I don't have freckles or an acne problem, and I never have. What could this be and how can I get rid of it? Other women in my family have the same condition.

Answer:

It is likely that these are seborrheic keratoses, which are benign growths that can develop over the trunk and extremities. They can certainly run in families and may be removed if they are cosmetically bothersome. See your local dermatologist for further treatment options.

Question:

What is the relationship between what's in your diet and whether or not you develop acne?

Answer:

High-glycemic index diets -- containing lots of simple, refined sugars -- appear to contribute more to acne breakouts than low-glycemic index diets. Consuming complex carbohydrates such as whole wheat or multigrain breads and pastas should not worsen your acne and may even help to improve it.

Question:

What do you recommend I use to keep my hands moist longer? My current hand lotion only lasts a short while.

Answer:

Depending on your job, it may be difficult to keep your hands moist throughout the day. Generally, it's best to moisturize after each hand washing, while the hands are still a little wet. Try switching from a hand lotion to a cream that is rich in ceramides. These sophisticated ingredients work better to help restore the skin’s barrier. Also, make sure that the soap you're using is not too drying. Some of the more harsh antibacterial soaps can actually strip the skin of its natural oils.

Question:

I have adult acne and I've tried everything to get rid of it -- chemical peels, VitaPeels, Aczone, Proactive, Differin, Retin-A, antibiotics, facials, etc. I am beyond frustrated. Is this something I will eventually out grow? What else would you recommend I try? I get plenty of vegetables and water in my diet already.

Answer:

Some patients with stubborn acne require a powerful oral medicine called isotretinoin. This medicine is administered by a dermatologist for 4-6 months and has been found to help clear acne in 80% of patients. The other 20% may have to do undergo an additional round of isotretinoin treatment later on. But their skin will also ultimately look much better in the meantime. Your dermatologist can advise you as to whether or not you are a candidate for this medicine.

Question:

I'm 36 years old and I have spots on my face that weren't there a few years ago. What foods should I eat and/or avoid to help restore my healthy smooth skin?

Answer:

It is most likely that these spots are the result of sun exposure over the years. They can be removed with skin-lightening procedures such as chemical peels, the use of topical hydroquinone (a bleaching agent), or certain forms of laser treatment. Unfortunately, there are no foods you can consume that will reduce the appearance of these spots.

Question:

I am 21 years old and I have stretch marks on my knees (front and back), my hips, and my bottom. I've always been lean. So it makes no sense to me that they're there. How can I get rid of them? Do laser treatments work for removing stretch marks?

Answer:

You might try using a topical retinoid (retinol, retinoic acid, or retinyl palmitate) to help repair your stretch marks. However, even topical retinoids -- which can help repair skin cells -- may not be enough to erase your stretch marks. If there is redness in the stretch marks, the redness may be lightened by pulsed-dye laser therapy or other vascular laser treatments. At present, there is no miracle treatment for the removal of stretch marks. So beware of products that claim to erase them.

Question:

I get a rash when I get hot and sometimes when I'm out in the sun. It even appears when I eat hot or spicy foods. My dermatologist biopsied it and told me that it was some kind of cancer! But the rash comes and goes. What do you think this could be?

Answer:

This is a matter you should take up with your dermatologist. It sounds as though you have facial rosacea which is redness that can certainly come and go. However, rosacea is very different from any form of skin cancer. Most likely, you doctor biopsied a spot of your skin which may be affected by skin cancer, but is unrelated to your rosacea. Speak with him/ her for clarification.

Question:

I awoke to find my face was covered with hives. About 2 hours later the hives went away and a rash appeared. The rash has covered my entire face and my ears. I ate 2 double chocolate chip cookies before I went to bed last night. Could this possibly be the cause?

Answer:

Cases of urticaria (medical term for hives) due to chocolate consumption are very rare. However, reports exist concerning contact allergies to the latex used in the chocolate candy wrappers. Also, there may be any number of products (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, food coloring, fruits) that you ingested during the day that may have resulted in hives. Definitely see your doctor if the rash does not go away.

Question:

How can chemical peels and microdermabrasion affect the skin after years of continuous treatment?

Answer:

There is no downside to using chemical peels and microdermabrasion continuously over several years. It will only help prevent photoaging -- damage to the skin from prolonged UV radiation -- and help build collagen in the skin.

Question:

What's the best way to treat melasma hyperpigmentation? Are there any miracle foods or vitamins that can help?

Answer:

Topical retinoids, hydroquinone, and fruit acids (glycolic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, and kojic acid) are the mainstay of treatments for treating melasma-type hyperpigmentation. In addition, we recommend staying out of the sun and using a reliable form of sunscreen, one with an SPF of 30 or higher. If you are a woman using birth control, you may want to check with your health care provider to see if you need to change your birth control formulation. Sometimes hormone changes, such as those due to pregnancy, can also contribute to melasma.

Question:

What can I do about the redness I get after using Retin-A and vitamin C? My skin is red and flakey after every use.

Answer:

First, try using a different formulation of each. Generally, creams are less drying to the skin than gels. If this does not help, you may need to chose a lower strength formula or apply the creams less frequently. Second, be sure that there is not an ingredient in your current formulations -- such as propylene glycol -- that might make your skin more sensitive or irritated. Examine the ingredients lists in whatever you're using and consult with your health care provider about undergoing skin tests to find this out.

Question:

I started getting very dark circles under my eyes a couple years ago, and the skin there has become loose and wrinkled. I'm not in the sun a lot and I don't have a problem with wrinkly skin anywhere else. Could this be the result of some kind of vitamin deficiency? What kind of doctor should I see about this issue?

Answer:

You should see your dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. While dark circles are often touted as being due to low iron levels, there is no medical data to support this. It is more likely due to translucency of the skin under the eyes and the presence of dark interconnecting veins beneath this skin. The skin can often be tightened using topical retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) as well as various laser technologies.

Question:

I am a woman in my 50s and my skin is starting to look like an orange peel -- slightly pitted and wrinkled. What products and/or vitamins and supplements should I use to help my skin look smoother and fuller?

Answer:

You should see your dermatologist to address these skin changes. It's not likely that any supplements will be able to reverse the changes you're describing, which are probably the result of prolonged sun exposure. They sound like they may require some collagen remodeling such as fractional laser resurfacing, topical retinoids, or fillers to rejuvenate the skin and smooth out the wrinkles. Depending on the degree of rigidity to your skin, you might consult with a plastic surgeon for a face and/or neck lift procedure.

Question:

I have a rash on my upper lip that won't go away. It will itch, turn red, and get scaly. I've tried all kinds of OTC itch creams and nothing has worked. I think it might be an allergic reaction to foods and drinks with sugar in them. Is this possible?

Answer:

It is unlikely that what you're describing is a reaction to foods with sugar in them. But it may be related to the ingestion of certain fruits (mangoes or papayas), various mouthwashes, toothpastes, or chewing gums. Products containing cinnamon, spearmint, peppermint, or menthol can cause a contact dermatitis that does not resolve until the offending agent is removed. See your dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis.

Question:

Whenever my 18-month-old daughter eats anything with tomatoes in it, she gets little red bumps on her chin and mouth and basically anywhere on her face where the food has touched. Does this mean she is allergic to tomatoes? What can I put on her break-outs to make the bumps go away?

Answer:

It is unlikely that your child is allergic to tomatoes. It is more likely that she is having a reaction to the acidity of the tomatoes. Try to minimize the acidic contact with her skin and apply topical hydrocortisone to resolve the rash. If any hives or itching develops, see a dermatologist or allergist immediately.

Question:

Can any foods help stimulate collagen development for my skin?

Answer:

Yes. Foods that are rich in vitamin C help build collagen. These include various citrus foods such oranges, limes, and lemons. Anthocyanin is also helpful and can be found in dark berries such as blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and raspberries. Also, consider adding more red vegetables to your diet, such as red peppers, beets, and tomatoes, which are all high in lycopene.

Question:

Certain foods seem to cause my face to get flush, like tomato sauce, berries, chocolate, and different spices. Why is this? Could I be allergic to them?

Answer:

It is unclear why your skin is responding to such an assortment of foods. You should see a board certified dermatologist or allergist to better understand what is going on.

Thank you for joining us for WebMD Ask the Dermatologist. Be sure to come back on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. ET when we will discuss dry skin and skin tone issues. Sign up if you'd like an email reminder the day before our next event.