Among the most stubborn myths are that acne is caused by poor personal hygiene and eating chocolate, pizza and other greasy foods. Acne is nearly always triggered by factors beyond a person's control, such as heredity, stress and hormonal changes associated with puberty. Nor does it mean that some foods can't make some people break out. If your acne is always worse after eating Snickers bars, it might be wise to switch to a chocolate-free snack. It's 100-percent effective in people who follow instructions and take their medicine.
Treatment usually lasts four to six months.
Males typically require only one course of therapy. Since menstrual cycles can complicate acne treatment, females often require two or three courses. In recent months, Accutane, however, has come under fire from critics who worry that it might cause psychological problems. Since 1989, the FDA has fielded 12 reports of suicides among people taking Accutane. Other patients have complained of depression.