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Adult acne

Adult acne affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women past their teenage years.

One third of those who suffer from this get it on their bodies as well as on their faces.

Dermatologists are seeing more adult patients with this complaint than in previous decades and are finding the condition lasts longer - even becoming a problem after age 50.

Causes of adult acne

Regardless of age, acne develops when excess sebum (an oil that our bodies produce to naturally moisturize the skin), skin cells, and bacteria accumulate.

Researchers have discovered that the following may trigger the production of excess sebum in adults:

• Stress - causes oil glands to produce more sebum/oil

• Diet - poor nutrition and not enough good quality water

• Not enough sleep

• Products used on hair and skin - a buildup of chemicals on the skin can cause dry skin (causes more oil to be produced), acne, prematurely aging skin and skin cancer.

• Family history of acne - the kind of skin someone is genetically programmed to have will determine who gets acne and who doesn’t.

• Hormones, which cause the sebacuous/oil glands to overact

• Improper skin cleansing

• Pimple-removing strips (like Biore) - they're expensive, can irritate and actually remove skin, and at best, only remove the surface of the blackhead, leaving most of it in the pore.

• Resistant bacteria

• Taking certain medications - anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, sobriety drugs and steroids (see below.)

Note 1: Men also can develop an acne-like disorder from ingrown hairs (folliculitis) caused by shaving too closely. Bacteria enter the hair follicles and cause infection.

A follicular pimple can be distinguished from an acne zit because a hair shaft is often visible at the center of a follicular lesion.

Note 2: Rosacea is sometimes confused with acne because it produces small pimples and redness across the nose and cheeks. “Acne rosacea" is not caused by sebum or oil and treatment for this skin problem differs from treatment for typical acne vulgaris.

Note 3: Treatments that worked during your teen years may not work for you as an adult. Over-the-counter topical medications tend to irritate and dry the skin, causing breakouts or making existing acne worse.

Note 4: Anabolic steroids - Studies indicate that about one-third of men who use steroids to build muscle mass get acne, and about 50% of the men who get it develop a severe acne form known as cystic acne. This condition usually goes away gradually if the man stops taking the steroids.

Types of Adult Acne

"Persistent acne" does not go away after age 20; "late onset acne" can develop suddenly in people who have not had pimples in years.

Both types tend to form on the chin, jawline, and around the mouth as well as on the chest and back. (Women are more susceptible to these types of acne, especially if taking birth control pills.)

Adult acne treatment options

• The best treatment for adult acne involves 2 things: 1.) unclogging pores and 2.) destroying bacteria

…..1.) Keep pores open by cleansing the skin gently with a chemical-free cleanser made for your skin type and by exfoliating (removing dead skin cells) once or twice weekly.

……2.) Destroying bacteria has typically been done with products containing chemicals like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

These and other such chemicals have been found to cause acne and other skin problems, including skin cancer. Over-the-counter acne treatments thаt contain benzoyl peroxide are banned in Europe for its adverse effects on skin and health.

Finding a chemical-free alternative is in your best interest. Here are several tried and true acne remedies and ways to kill bacteria that use natural ingredients and don't contain chemicals.

• Accutane for acne: In Feb 1010, health advisory boards in several countries announced that there have been reports of severe skin reactions linked to Accutane that can result in hospitalization, disability or even death. (It can also cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.)

• Laser treatments can be effective however often cost between $500-$2,400).

No matter what type of acne you have and no matter at what age you struggle with it, it's a good idea to put your efforts into an overall attack plan. This includes good nutrition, plenty of water, enough sleep, chemical-free skin and hair products and a positive mental attitude.

These will help your life in general, as well as your adult acne.

Click here to ask a question about adult acne.

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