Tackling Adult Acne

By Rosemary Verghese, MD

Mid-Atlantic Skin Surgery Institute

. https://midatlanticskinsurgery.com/

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Tackling Adult Acne

Do adults get acne? Yep, adults get acne. And according to the American Academy of Dermatology some adults continue to get acne well into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. It is even possible to get acne for the first time as an adult. Skin care experts call this “adult-onset acne.”

Unfortunately, the causes of adult acne can vary and it might take time for you and your skin care provider to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

Among women themenstrual cycle is one of the most common acne triggers. Acne lesions tend to form a few days before the cycle begins and go away after the cycle is completed. Other hormone changes, such as pregnancy and menopause, improve acne in some women. But some women have worse acne during these times. Stopping use of birth control pills can play a role as well.

Other acne triggers among men and women include hair and skin care products. Which is why it's recommended that you look for products that are labeled non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, oil-free or won't clog pores. Certain medicines, such as those used to treat epilepsy and certain types of depression, are also linked to acne outbreaks.

Researchers have found a relationship between stress and acne flare-ups. In response to stress, our bodies produce more androgens (a type of hormone). These hormones stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin, which can lead to acne. This explains why acne can be an ongoing problem when we find ourselves under constant stress. In addition, if other people in our family have acne, there is a greater chance we will have it.

It is a myth that people get acne because they don't wash enough. Too much washing or scrubbing the skin harshly can make acne worse. And washing away surface oils doesn't do much to prevent or cure acne, because it forms under the skin. The best way to clean the face is to gently wash it twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser.

Although there is no one single cure that works in all patients with acne, a skin care expert can recommend patient-specific treatment regimens and lifestyle changes to control acne and minimize future breakouts. Partnering with an experienced skin care expert can help eliminate some of the trial and error that is common with treating acne.

With acne, it's important to understand that there are often no quick fixes, and none of the therapies used to treat acne will work overnight. Acne sufferers need to be consistent when using their acne medications and realize that they may not see the full effects of their treatment regimen for eight to 10 weeks and in many cases, some type of professional maintenance therapy is required for long-term clearance of acne.

To learn more about acne, visit AcneNet at www.skincarephysicians.com.