No More Acne

Many adults get acne, even after they thought that they were done with it for good. It can be embarrassing and difficult to deal with, and it’s something that many of us face at least once. Over the counter treatments can be drying and irritating, and many may not even work. Things that worked well when you were a teen may not work now.

A lot of adults try many acne remedies before they happen upon a treatment that’s effective. If this is the case for you, you might be wondering if you really have acne, or if it’s something else. Read on to find some facts about adult acne.

Many think of acne as a problem that only affects teenagers, but the truth is, it can persist into your thirties, and some even have it when they reach 40. Any case of acne that hasn’t cleared up for good by the time you reach your mid-twenties is considered to be persistent. Adult acne often comes with deep, tender and irritated large nodules, and it is far more common in women. Persistent adult acne usually crops up on the lower part of the face- usually around the mouth, chin, and jaw line.

Late onset or adult acne is more common in women, although some men get it too. It is an equal opportunity condition, affecting both those who had acne as a teen and those who’ve never had a breakout. Adult acne is largely hormonally triggered, and many menopausal women get it.

No matter when you get it, your acne has a root cause- overstimulation of the oil glands in your skin, and pores that are clogged with bacteria and dead skin cells. Those hormone fluctuations that we mentioned can bring about the production of too much sebum- which can explain why a lot of women get acne flare-ups right around the start of their menstrual cycle, or when they are expecting a baby.

Certain medications can trigger acne outbreaks. Women on contraceptives can either see their acne get worse or improve, depending on the pill they’re taking. If your pill has both progestin and estrogen, normally acne will subside. If the pill only has progestins, acne can get a lot worse- as it also can if you stop taking your pills.

Contraceptives aren’t the only medicines that can influence acne. Some corticosteroids can trigger it, but you should never stop taking a prescription medicine just because it causes acne. If the breakouts are bothersome, speak to your doctor and dermatologist, who can help you minimize the acne while staying on your medication.

Most acne cases are hereditary. In studies, roughly fifty percent of adults who had acne have other immediate relatives that have it as well. Scientists aren’t really sure why acne has a genetic link, but they are finding out more almost every day.

Acne can be brought on by stress- and women are especially susceptible if they are always trying to balance a demanding career with their home lives. If your body is constantly stressed, it produces more androgens (stress hormones) that stimulate the sebaceous glands.

Certain hair and skincare products can promote the formation of acne. Some sunscreens and hair products contain a lot of oil, that can cause acne cosmetica. When you buy haircare and skincare products, look for those that are labeled “non-acnegenic” or “non-comedogenic”. These are a lot less likely to cause acne, although they can still irritate very sensitive skin.

Acne can be a warning sign of a more serious medical condition. When adult acne is accompanied by thickening facial hair, balding, and irregular menstrual cycles, it can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, or an adrenal gland disorder. It could also mean that the woman has a tumor on an adrenal gland or ovary. If you are experiencing any of these signs, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Testing can find the cause of the symptoms, and your acne won’t go away until they are treated.

If you’ve seen your doctor, and they’ve ruled out polycystic ovary syndrome or other conditions, your acne may need more aggressive treatment. There are a lot of effective natural remedies available. You don’t have to live with adult acne anymore- with persistence it can be treated.