C. asks about his son’s acne:
Hello, I have a 17 year old son and I would like him to begin taking a daily dose of 50mg of zinc to combat his acne. Will this be safe? Is there any long term effects?

Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

I am personally skeptical about nutritional supplements. I believe the RDA’s are there for a good reason and they are well researched. While zinc supplements have been shown in a few studies to be beneficial in the treatment of acne, the long term effects of excess zinc intake are not well known, and already at doses 100-200 mg, side effects and toxicity has been reported. There may be adverse effects on cholesterol and copper metabolism, and on the immune system. I don’t think 50 mg of zinc daily would cause any major problems, but I cannot guarantee the safety of such treatment.

If the acne is severe, consider isotretinoin treatment. While isotretinoin is definitely more toxic than zinc, it is also highly effective and can be a life-changing treatment for someone who suffers from a socially debilitating case of acne. For isotretinoin treatment, you will need to see a dermatologist.

DrJoshua