This Valentine’s Day you don’t have to think twice about having that second piece of chocolate, at least not if you’re worried about your skin. According to dermatologist Dr. John Goldhar, chocolate does not cause acne.

Dr. Goldhar explains that acne is a result of overactive oil glands.

“Acne is a disease of the hair follicle/sebaceous gland unit (so called pilo sebaceous unit- PS unit) that occurs as a result of convergence of several factors. Hormone changes that occur during puberty, hormone treatments and stress can cause an increase in the size and activity of the PS unit. However, the opening of the unit to the skin surface may not be able to accommodate the increased amount of oil produced and this results in a balloon like inflation of the oil gland. The gland may rupture and cause a cyst or the pressure created may be enough to expand the opening to the surface and allow drainage of the oil (blackhead or whitehead). Bacteria that thrive on the oil produced, can increase in number and cause further damage. Foods like chocolate, greasy or fried foods, really play no role in the cause of acne, although in some people these foods can stimulate oil production and cause a flare of the acne.”

For those adults who suffered with acne in their childhood do not necessarily need to suffer with acne scars, there are methods to help clear acne and its lingering scars.

“There are laser and light treatments that can help clear acne,” says Dr. Goldhar. “Clear light is a laser that can help kill some of the bacteria that cause part of the acne problem. In addition, Levulan can be used in conjunction with blue light to treat acne (photodynamic therapy). Finally, lasers can be used to treat acne scars. The newest laser called the Fraxel can improve acne scars with minimal down time.”

Dr. Goldhar is the director of CosMedix MD Centre for Dermatology, Cosmetics & Laser. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a board certified dermatologist in downtown Toronto.