Does alcohol make acne vulgaris worse and does alcohol affect the acne medications and treatments on the market?
It appears the link between alcohol abuse and acne has not been reported, as alcohol abuse may go unnoticed (as this is thought, the least of the patient’s problems with alcohol abuse!) in a general clinic, unless specifically highlighted. With regard to acne vulgaris, alcohol has a strong influence on the immune system function and induces changes in the small blood vessels in the skin. We are all aware of the vasodilator effect (widening of blood vessels in the skin) of alcohol consumption by flushing of the face, particularly the cheeks and the nose. Some skin conditions have now been shown to be dramatically affected by alcohol abuse, for example Psoriasis and Eczema. Acne rosacea, post-adolescent acne vulgaris and superficial infections may also be indicators of alcohol abuse. The relevance of these effects to alcohol-related to acne is shown to be quite significant. A medical research study, by Doctors Larsen, Held and Nielsen-Kudsk investigated the effects of alcohol on isotreti
