Adult Acne – Details You Should Know to Treat It
Acne is a hassle and an inconvenience for a lot of people, and it can strike when you least expect it. You can get it years after you thought you were done with it forever. Adult acne can be persistent and difficult to get rid of, and most of us will have to deal with it at some point. Those treatments that work for teenage acne are often ineffective for adults, and in a lot of cases can make acne worse.
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.
Acne is sometimes thought of as something that only adolescents have to deal with, but the reality is that many adults are susceptible to having an acne flare-up. Adult acne can last well into middle age, and if your case has not gone away by the time you're in your mid-twenties, then it might be more difficult to treat. Adult acne lesions are often painful, large and very inflamed, and the pimples can pop up on the back, buttocks, and the lower part of the face.
Adult acne is, by definition, late onset. Women are a lot more likely than men to get it, too. Those that haven't had acne since adolescence (or even those who have NEVER had acne) can be affected. Late onset acne can be triggered by a hormone fluctuation, such as menopause.
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.
Other drugs can cause acne, too. Medicines like corticosteroids and anticonvulsants can cause acne, but you should never stop taking them because they make your acne worse. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.
It is known that acne has a genetic component. About half of adults who have acne also have an immediate family member (a parent, child, or brother/sister) who has it too. The genetic link isn't completely understood, so more research is needed.
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.
Those with adult acne should be selective in choosing skincare and haircare products. A lot of hair and skin products contain a high amount of oil, that can lead to cosmetic acne. To avoid this, look for products that don't have oil in them (they'll usually be labeled "non-comedogenic" or something similar). These will reduce your chances of getting cosmetic acne.
Adult acne can also be a sign of another underlying problem. If you also are losing your hair, or your cycle has become hit-and-miss, you could have an adrenal or ovary disorder, or even a tumor. If you have any of thse symptoms, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. They'll be able to treat your acne as well as the other symptoms you're having.
If you've been checked for other conditions by your doctor, your acne can be controlled with any of the various natural acne remedies available. A lot of adults with acne don't bother to seek treatment, and they end up needlessly "living with" the condition. Adult acne can be stubborn, but with consistent treatment, it can be reduced or eliminated for good.