Hi Everyone,

I will try to to keep this as short and sweet as possible.

So I started to develop severe (painful) cystic acne when I was about 15. I went on my first round of accutane when I was 17 as the acne got worse and worse. It cleared up my skin completely for about a year post treatment, then it came back when I was in my first year of college. The acne developed from normal small pimples to cystic acne again so I went on a second round of accutane when I was about 20. Again my skin cleared up and remained clear for about a year post treatment. Again it came back and became cystic again. I decided after 2 rounds of accutane to change my diet when the acne came back and went vegan for about 2 years. In the beginning I saw a significant improvement for a few months and then the cystic acne came back when I was about 22. I again went on another course of accutane (the 3rd one) and again my acne cleared up and remained clear for about 2 yearspost treatment. I thought by this point I was about 23 that my acne would be gone since I was moving deeper into adulthood. I was wrong, the cystic acne started to come back again at about 25. I tried numerous over the counter treatments in an attempt to control the breakouts but they persisted and began to get worse until I turned 26. At this point I felt like I was out of options and stuck with acne for the rest of my life. That is until I went completely carnivore for a couple months. Within a matter of weeks my cystic acne had completely cleared up and there were no new pimples. I then slowly this year began to introduce new foods back into my diet but remain keto. I have identified the dietary culprit for my acne and it is carbs. Without fail if I consume any carb laden foods I will breakout immediately with large cysts.

I am sharing this story because I understand what its like to live with severe acne and feel completely hopeless after numerous attempts at treatment. I must say this whole experience has left my pretty disgusted with the current knowledge in the field and the dermatologists gut reaction to just prescribe drugs. I was told by multiple dermatologists that diet doesnt affect acne. This is simply not true.

Try many diets, I have friends who have suffered fromacne and different diets work for them. Some people may be affected by carbs, others by fats, etc. I found that a strictelimination diet (like carnivore) was the best way to identify foods that cause flare ups.

I hope this helps someone out there. The mental health impact of acne is really severe for some. I went into deep depression during my bouts with cystic acne, especially after so many years of dealing with it. Stay strong! <3

-John