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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.