Well this seems a little weird, but I thought i'd post it anyway.
It's an article about the advantages of having acne. I know you guys are going "Whattttt?" but have a read of this, it's sort of interesting.
Acne is the scourge of people everywhere, but according to an article published in the November issue of the magazine Microbiology Today the bacteria which cause this disease may protect sufferers from other infections and cancer in later life.
Dr Anne Eady of the Skin Research Centre at the University of Leeds says, “There may be advantages to having acne. The presence of propionibacteria on the skin non-specifically up-regulates the cell mediated immune response, which may constitute a first line defence system against infections and cancer.”
“Studies in animal models have revealed that P. acnes promotes a Th-1 type response to tumours, viruses, parasites and intracellular bacterial infections. There is also evidence that certain skin cancers are less common in past acne sufferers than age- and sex-matched non-acne subjects,” reports Dr Eady.
However, Dr Eady says, “If acne is eliminated we may begin to pay a much higher price as the incidence of certain cancers starts to rise. One day we may all be popping pills of P. acnes in a bid to stay healthy.”
Originally posted by Dramaqueen:
“There is also evidence that certain skin cancers are less common in past acne sufferers than age- and sex-matched non-acne subjects,” reports Dr Eady.
Although I did not read the article and can only make assumptions based on what I have read here, I believe this is an example of a researcher drawing the wrong conclusion from their research results.
While I believe it may be true that acne sufferers have a lower incidince of certain skin cancers, this is probably more a function of staying inside out of the sun than anything else. If the researcher had been an acne sufferer herself she would have known that acne can ruin the social life. Especially if you have body acne. Your not likely to expose the acne and hit the beach.
Likewise they might be inclined to stay away from people due to the acne and its associated social stigma. Consequently they would be less likely to be exposed to germs and infections.
It's probably true but I doubt it's a function of the acne bacteria as the researcher has concluded.
Happy Thoughts 
