How to Successfully Treat Adult Acne
Statistics show that adult acne may be more common than you think. Statistics from the American Dermatology Association suggest that the median age for patients with acne has been gradually rising from 20.5 years of age to now approximately 26.5 years.
As the stress of living in a demanding society increases, dermatologists also report rising numbers of adult acne patients. More than 17 million adults are diagnosed with acne in the United States, 50% of which are women and 25% of which are men. Additionally, one third of all individuals who suffer from facial acne also have acne on their body.
Unfortunately, the social anxiety and negative effects that accompanied acne as a teen do not change once we are older. The good news? There are a variety of acne treatments that can help.
What causes adult acne?
Adult acne is caused by sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin’s sebaceous glands. Sebum clogs pores, which attract bacteria and become inflamed. Adult acne is thought to the result of a hormonal imbalance. For most adults, breakouts are a result of hypersensitivity to androgens (male hormones), but an imbalance in both androgens and estrogen (female hormones) can also cause breakouts.
In women, the development of hormonal irregularity during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause may be factors for acne breakouts. Most dermatologists recommend topical exfoliants and repairing solutions as a primary method of treatment, such as Proactiv.
Adult Acne Treatments
Most medications are geared to treat teen or young adult oily skin, which does not work well for drier adult skin. To determine an effective treatment may involve a bit of trial-and-error for each individual to find the most suitable solution, including:
- Cleansers: Avoid gels and products that contain abrasive and irritating ingredients. Choose products that are gentle and designed for sensitive skin, like Proactiv.
- Creams and lotions: Over-the-counter retinol products not only clean pores, but can also help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. To prevent discoloration and fade acne scars, try products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids.
- Prescription medications: Oral contraceptives and blood pressure balancing drugs can help manage hormones to reduce adult acne breakouts.
- Advanced solutions: While costly, laser and intense pulsed light treatments can target scars. Blue light therapy treatments kill acne-causing bacteria.
Be aware of hormonal changes, medication side effects, allergic reactions to foods or cosmetics, or genetic predispositions, as these can all be reasons for adult acne breakouts.
More Simple Adult Acne Solutions
When under stress, your body produces stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can stimulate an overproduction of oil from the sebaceous glands in your skin. If this excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, it can exacerbate acne.
If you regularly suffer from high levels of stress, consider adjusting your lifestyle to include more breaks throughout the day, during which you are encouraged to relax and breathe deeply, or take a walk in nature. Exercising regularly also reduces anxiety and stress.
In addition, mild breakouts can be controlled by proper skin and body care. If your breakouts become increasingly severe or consistent, consider speaking with a dermatologist to effectively determine causes and treatment options.