Adult Acne

Many people around the world suffer from serious acne, and it is one of the most frequently treated skin conditions in America. However, it is not restricted exclusively to being present in teenagers and young people, but it can also be a very serious problem for many adult men and women if not prevented or treated properly.

The American Academy of Dermatology reported recently that around 80% of adult men and women between the ages of twenty and thirty years old have problems with acne. While the majority of the cases are fairly mild and involve a single pimple every month or so, there are many fairly serious cases of adult acne. Another study showed that upwards of 50% of women of any age are affected by acne in its many forms, a fact that frustrates many women trying to focus their efforts on beautifying themselves on a daily basis.

What Causes Adult Acne?

Many adults of both sexes experience hormonal imbalances or fluctuations that can result in a case of acne. There are hormones, called androgens, that are produced in the testicles, ovaries, and adrenal glands. When these androgens are released into the body, they cause the skin to produce more oil than is necessary for healthy skin. This excess of oil causes acne, due to the oil filling the pores of the skin and creating pimples.

Another cause of acne in adults is over-application of cosmetics, which is usually only a problem in women. Many moisturizers, cleansers, hair care and beauty products, and make up can cause acne in adults, particularly the beauty products that have an oil base that impedes the hair follicles from breathing naturally.

There are a number of medications that can cause acne to break out on your skin, such as steroids, hormone treatments, a number of methods of birth control, and many more. Medical conditions also have the possibility to cause acne, with ovarian diseases being the main cause in women.

Some acne genes are passed down from generation to generation, and your parents may be the cause of your acne. Even if only one parent had acne, you run a higher risk of having adult acne.

While acne does affect men strongly at a younger age, the majority of the cases of adult acne are present in women. Men who leave their acne untreated can have their acne stay a problem for as long as a decade, so it is important for teenage males to treat their acne. However, women need to be more careful when they reach adulthood, as they are more likely than men to experience adult acne

How can I prevent and treat my Acne?

Many acne pimples develop from blackheads, and they only develop when the blackheads get inflamed and are spread by touching the face with hands that are dirty. In order to prevent acne from blackheads, it is important to wash the face at least once a day. If your face is very oily, you should wash it at least three or four times a day. You can also use a facial scrub to keep your skin as oil free as possible. There are also a number of exfoliating creams that you can use to wash your face, and you should search for one that has a high amount of alpha-hydroxy acids.

Adult acne is not the same as the acne you had as a teenager, and you will need to treat it differently than you would regular acne. You need to use cleansers that are medicated, such as those that contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. You should try to exfoliate your face a couple of times a day, or according to the direction on the container. Make sure that you don’t do it too often, or that you scrub your face too roughly. Scrubbing too roughly raises the chances that the blackheads will become inflamed.

Visit your local dermatologist and get his recommendation on what you should use to help clear up the acne from your skin. If you are ingesting medication or something else that is causing the acne, he will be able to discover what exactly is causing the effect. You should stop taking that medication immediately, and should ask about your cosmetics. While they may not be causing the acne, it may be a good idea to change your brand or type of cosmetics to prevent any future acne attacks.