Adult Acne
For most people, the term acne is synonymous with puberty,
teenage
acne or sometimes pregnancy. Although acne is more predominant
in adolescence and during pregnancy (hormonal acne), adult
acne is also very common. Statistics for acne in adults shows
that over 60% of adults over the age of twenty suffer from
acne flare-ups at least once. This phenomenon is referred
to as adult acne.
Acne in adults is not surprising once you learn about how
acne is formed. Acne is simply the presence of the P. Acnes
bacteria in the skins pores and follicles, causing inflammation
due to the immune system attempting to fight the bacteria.
The reason acne is so common in teenagers and pregnant women
is that overactive hormones tend to stimulate the sebaceous
glands under the skin, causing them to overproduce a natural
oil call sebum. The result is excel oil on the face, which
mixes with dead skin cells and other debris, and eventually
starts clogging pores and follicles. Once clogged, the area
is a perfect breeding ground for the P. Acnes bacteria, thus
triggering inflammation and the manifestation of pimples or
acne.
Over productive sebaceous glands is not necessarily a result
of hormone stimulation. Some people simply produce more sebum
than others. This is why acne can literally affect people
at any age, and is why adult acne is a possibility. Further,
different skin types are more prone to acne – for example,
someone with flaky skin has a much higher chance of having
their pores clogged, thus causing acne.
Adult Acne Treatment
Adult acne treatment is very similar to teenage
acne treatment. There are numerous products available
to treat acne, ranging from simple cleanser to prescriptions
to actual heat devices. There are some exceptions where acne
products are made specifically for an age group (teenagers,
babies), in which case their demographic should be clearly
labelled. Barring this exception, treatment is the same for
adults as it is for teenagers. Click here for more acne treatment
products.
If you are an adult experiencing acne issues, there may be
more treatments available to you due to your ability to completely
understand side effect risks, and for reasons of monetary
nature. Acne
laser treatment, or blue
light therapy for example, may be treatments options you
can afford.
When to See Your Doctor
It’s always a good idea to get your doctor or dermatologist’s
opinion when seeking treatment for any condition, including
acne. If you are an adult over 25 and you suffer from severe
acne (particularly if you had mild acne or no acne during
your teens) it is a good idea to visit your doctor or specialist.
In rare cases you may have a separate skin condition that
is conducive to acne. Some immunodeficiency disorders can
also cause acne and skin inflammation.
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