Pop star fashion mogul Victoria Beckham has claimed her frugal diet of steamed vegetables and grilled fish ‘cured’ her adult acne – but dermatologists are not convinced.
The fashion designer, 50, revealed she struggled with the painful skin condition at the height of her Spice Girl fame and still adheres to a strict set of rules to keep it under control.
In addition to giving up eating meat as a child, she now avoids eating wheat (which means most bread and cakes), she said The Telegraph.
According to her husband David, she has been eating the same meal for 25 years: grilled fish and steamed vegetables.
But dermatologists emphasize that while a nutritious and balanced diet is important for maintaining healthy skin, a restrictive diet is not.
‘There’s no need to follow a strict diet, limited to just fish and vegetables, for a radiant complexion,’ says Dr Thivi Maruthappu, dermatologist, nutritionist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation.
‘It can even have long-term negative effects on our well-being.’
Dr. Maruthappu added that while getting enough vitamins and protein from the diet can help promote plump, clear skin, it won’t necessarily cure acne.
Victoria Beckham, 50, has revealed the real reason behind her extreme diet, which according to husband David has seen her eating the same food for the past 25 years
Diet may have some benefit in improving the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging, experts say.
For example, fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants that help reduce cell damage, which can lead to premature skin aging, says Dr. Maruthappu.
What’s more, get it plenty of lean proteins such as fish, tofu and chickpeas can help ‘repair and regenerate collagen in the skin’.
Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the body’s tissues, including the skin, keeping it firm and preventing sagging.
However, there is little evidence that the collagen we absorb from food has any effect on the health of our skin.
According to the British Association of Dermatology (BAD), there isn’t enough research to prove the link between diet and acne.
However, the body says there is compelling evidence that sugary foods can increase oil production in the skin, trapping bacteria and leading to acne.
Sugary foods can lead to higher blood sugar levels, raising levels of the hormone IGF-1 in the body, the BAD explains.
She said she keeps her skin glowing with a £2,000 Dermalux LED device, which she uses for 30 minutes every morning (pictured left). Victoria has long been open about her insecurities about her ‘problematic’ skin and struggled to become famous in her twenties while having skin problems
This causes an increase in the hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). cause the sebaceous glands on the skin to expand, increasing oil production and creating pimple-causing blockages in the skin.
Experts have also warned that limiting wheat isn’t a surefire way to get perfect skin.
Harley Street dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk, who specializes in the treatment of acne, emphasized that wheat in itself is not a cause of acne.
‘Eating lots of sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice and white pasta, may be linked to more acne breakouts, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution,’ she told MailOnline.
“Nutritious diets high in whole grains, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables support skin health more consistently than eliminating specific foods,” she added.
Acne is a common skin condition that usually begins during puberty but can last well into adulthood.
It is caused by a combination of factors, including hormonal fluctuations – which affect the amount of oil produced by the glands under the skin – some medications and certain skin products.
There is also evidence of a genetic link, as the skin problem often runs in families, according to the BAD.
Treatments consist of topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide and topical azelaic acid to dry out the pimples, and oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause the pimples.
The oral contraceptive pill can help stabilize the release of spot-causing hormones.
In more severe cases, dermatologists may prescribe stronger medications such as isotretinoin and spironolactone tablets.
As well as her ‘disciplined’ diet, Victoria also uses a £2,000 light therapy machine on her face for 30 minutes every morning.
Using a combination of red and infrared light, the tool claims to stimulate circulation, smooth skin texture and stimulate collagen production, leaving skin looking plumper and younger.
Dr. Kluk explained that there is potential in this device. She said: ‘Red light therapy can potentially help stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation, while blue light targets acne-causing bacteria.
‘Studies in a clinic or hospital setting suggest that LED use can contribute to a brighter, more radiant complexion, although at-home LED devices provide modest improvements at best.’
But Dr. Kluk said spending $2,000 on a device with “uncertain outcomes” isn’t realistic for most people.
Instead, Dr. Kluk urged people struggling with acne to seek help from a dermatologist.
“A customized treatment plan, including evidence-based prescriptions, lifestyle and skin care interventions, produces better, longer-lasting results for most people,” she said.