Adult Acne
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 percent of individuals in their 20s and 30s will suffer from adult acne.
Causes of Adult Acne
Adult acne can be caused by a number of factors, including hormonal changes, cosmetics or hair products with high oil levels, medications, high humidity or excessive sweating. A common misconception is that a person's diet can cause adult acne. Hormonal shifts are a common cause of adult acne in women. This occurs when an increase in hormones triggers glands to produce more oil, causing pores to clog. For women, hormonal acne has been linked to pregnancy, menstruation and starting or discontinuing birth control pills. Adult acne may also be a side effect of medication. This problem has been noted with people taking medications for epilepsy and tuberculosis as well as medications containing lithium. Once a person discontinues the medication, the acne is usually resolved.
Adult Acne Statistics
The prevalence of adult acne may be surprising. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 percent of individuals in their 20s and 30s will suffer from adult acne. Research also suggests that 25 percent of adult men and 50 percent of adult women will experience acne at some point during their adult lives.
Adult Acne Treatment
While treatment for acne is typically the same for all ages, there are some treatment options that may be a better fit for adult women with hormonal acne.
Types of Adult Acne Treatment
To clear up adult hormonal acne, a physician may prescribe a topical retinoid or topical antimicrobial containing benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics. The treatment isotretinoin, sold under various brand names as listed on the right, is typically prescribed to fight adult acne cysts. For those experiencing acne caused by hormonal changes during menstration, some birth control pills have been found to be a successful adult acne remedy.
Adult Acne Treatment Effectiveness
Topical bactericidals, or antimicrobials, are not always the best treatments for mild to moderate inflammatory acne, with most doctor's favoring oral antibiotics. However, topical retinoids are one of the most effective topical acne treatments for mild to moderate acne. Birth control pills, which regulate hormonal fluctuations, are one of the best adult acne treatments for those experiencing acne associated with menstruation.
Acne Prevention
You should decrease the risk of acne breakouts by following simple prevention measures, including
- Wash your face morning and night using your bare hands and ph7 soap (neutral balance) and pat to dry. Washing too vigorously, including with a cloth, can irritate your skin, which can lead to breakouts.
- Apply a skin cleanser or astringent after washing, and throughout the day, to keep your pores clear of oil. Witch Hazel and other astringents often work well.
- Stay away from heavy and oily makeup products that may irritate sensitive skin and clog pores. Dirty pillowcases can have the same effect so change regularly.
- Wash off makeup before bedtime. Sleeping in makeup can clog pores.
- Avoid tight clothing. Tight-fitting clothing can irritate your skin by trapping body heat and moisture, which can lead to breakouts. Wearing loose-fitting clothing is the best prevention for body acne.
- Regularly, shower as well as shampoo your hair especially after exercising. The oil and sweat your body produces can stick to your skin, leading to an increase in bacteria and increasing the chances for body acne.
- Try not to touch your face too often and when you do ensure your hands are clean.
- Exercise regularly and drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin.
- Reduce your intake of processed and refined foods. Eat plenty of organic fruit and vegetables since they are full of antioxidants. For those prone to acne breakouts, Zinc and Vitamin A are reported as good vitamins to take in moderation. See advice from your physician.
- If you have a recurring acne problem, particularly if you're over 25, then consider giving up milk and wheat, both of which, for some people, have been linked to induce acne.
- Use a sunscreen and avoid long sessions of sun exposure, but do try to get 15 minutes of sun each day, if possible, using a good sunscreen - exposure to sunlight encourages the body's Vitamin D
next page
Now that you have a handle on what causes adult acne, go to the next section to learn about treating acne.