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I've been dealing with acne for about 7-8 years. I've had different types, and for the past 2 years I've been getting mostly cystic acne on my face. It started out on all areas of my face, but over the past 6-8 months I have basically only had issues on my forehead. MY cheeks and around my mouth are mostly clear. I would describe my skin as moderately severe, with 3-4 new cyst per week on my forehead.
Anyways, I'm 1 month away from trying accutane as a last resort, but before doing so, I am trying to test for food allergies. I've been mostly gluten free for the past 3 weeks (I've been dairy free for over a year). The first week I did not have any breakouts and I was really excited that I may have found the cure to my cystic acne. However, on week 2 I had a bad breakout. I'm still on a gluten free diet and my skin has been the same that it usually is. 4-5 clear days a week, 2-3 bad days. I keep reading about different foods that may cause breakouts and I'm continually taking things out of my diet, but I haven't had much success yet.
As I continue changing my diet, my question is how long should it take for food to cause a breakout? If I breakout, is it a result of something I ate 2 or 3 days ago, or something I ate within the past 24 hours? Any insight or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Maybe you just carry the oily skin gene as the reason you've always been acne prone? Some people just naturally produce a lot of sebum due to genetics which clogs their pores and gives them acne.
I don't think food allergies play that big a role in acne, I've never experienced this and I've been on all sorts of super strict diets. Accutane is great! give it a try. I wouldn't bother wasting your time with anything else as you're going to end up scaring badly the longer this acne continues to go on.
^my severe cystic acne was absolutely a response to a food intolerance. And from that and many discussions here and elsewhere, I believe cystic and modular acne tends to be a direct response Oma food and not true acne at all. Also, researchers into acne have determined that a delayed type III inflammatory response is at the root of acne formation.. It initiates the process.
Two courses of accutane did absolutely nothing for me, btw.
Now, OP. There's no simple answer. It might depend on the food. With gluten intolerance, it can take a long time to recover and you may need to avoid more than gluten grains to see results. Soy and peanuts, Rice and corn contain anti nutrients that do similar harm to gluten, just in smaller amounts. However, if you don't have any noticeable health issues besides the acne this likely isnt your acne-causing issue. Issues like fatigue, digestion problems, lots of allergies, emotional control issues (it makes some people pretty crazy I hear). It's would still be contributing to your chronic inflammation levels and so avoiding it is a good thing. Gluten isn't god for anyone.
With most other foods, though, you'd likely notice a difference in a couple weeks o a month. Try avoiding true nuts, egg whites, citrus, shellfish, nightshades. But it could be antything. Some break out from almonds and members of its family which includes all stone fruit. And even trans fats, which you shouldn't consume anyway, and that most commercial baked and fried foods.
With dairy, there's several ways it contributes to acne, but if you are allergic, you'd probably notice a difference quickly. Otherwise just limit, especially cow and unfermented.
Anyway, I get cysts the day after I consume most citrus. Others here have said hours or a couple of days after consuming whatever breaks them out.