Could Adult Acne be Possibly Anymore Frustrating?
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.
You probably think that acne is really a teenager’s problem, but nothing could be further from the truth. Adults can and do get acne- some have it at thirty, forty, or even fifty. If your acne has not cleared up by the time you turn 25, you are considered to have persistent acne. Cases of adult acne usually have painful, inflamed, and large pimples. Stubborn cases of adult acne usually appear on the chin, mouth and jaw line, but lesions can also appear on the back and buttocks.
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.
Regardless of when it happens, all acne cases have the same basic cause- an overproduction of sebum, combined with too many dead skin cells and bacteria in the pores. Overstimulation of the sebaceous glands can, like we said, be triggered by hormones. Many women break out right around the time that their menstrual cycle begins, or when they are pregnant.
Some medicines are known to aggravate acne. If you are on birth control, you’ve probably seen a reduction in your acne. Suddenly stopping the pills can make your skin flare up. If your pill contains estrogen and progestins, it can bring your acne under control, but if the pill only contains progestins, your acne can get worse.
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.
Still other studies show that stress is a major acne trigger, especially for women. Scientists have established a link between heightened stress levels and more severe acne in women who have demanding jobs. When the body is under stress it produces more androgens, that stimulate the sebaceous glands and cause acne flare-ups.
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.
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 don’t have any serious medical problems, your case of adult acne can probably be controlled with acne therapy. A lot of adults that have acne don’t get treatment for it, because they think it’s something they’ll just have to live with. While adult acne can be difficult to treat, it is possible to bring it under control and even eliminate it.