What is Adult Acne?

Adult acne affects people who are over the age of 25. It affects both men and women, with more adult women having acne (about 1 in 5), but adult men having more severe cases. This is the same acne we had in high school. And it's back for some of the same reasons.

What is the cause of adult acne?

While the causes of acne at any age are not fully understood, adult acne may be a product of the same cause as when we were kids - hormones. Our hormones can fluctuate pretty wildly even as adults, and sometimes, adult acne is the result. Other causes of adult acne could be the stress of every day life, medications, birth control pills or even bad cosmetics that clog pores. Contrary to common belief, poor hygiene has little to do with teenage or adult acne, but it's still a good idea to gently wash your face twice a day.

How is adult acne treated?

The best and most effective way to treat adult acne is to start with a visit to the dermatologist. Your dermatologist will help you clear your skin up by using treatments that are not available to you at home or over the counter. These include prescription oral and topical medications that will help such as retinoids, antibiotics (don't overuse antibiotics), azelaic acid and even birth control pills, which can sometime help and other times be counter-productive. Laser treatments are also an option at your dermatologist's office. For very severe adult acne, your doctor may prescribe Accutane, which is very effective, but will produce birth defects in unborn babies, so it must not by used by pregnant women.

If you are not ready to pay a visit to the dermatologist, you may want to visit the skin care aisle at your favorite store. It is unlikely that the products you used to dry up and clear pimples as a teenager will work as well now. You will probably have better luck exploring some of the kits that are out that present you with a whole skin care system from cleansers to masks. Many contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide - both known to help with breakouts. These "systems" can be quite effective in helping to clear up adult acne. Other things you can do to help yourself are:

* Use cosmetics that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic

* Use oil-free lotions and sunscreens

* Don't squeeze or pop your pimples

* Wash your face with a gentler cleanse made especially for adult acne twice a day

* Pay a visit to a good facialist who can give you treatments especially for adult acne

* Gently exfoliate two or three times per week with a product made especially for adult acne

Adult acne disappoints us by rearing it's ugly head long after we thought we were done with that phase of our lives. Often, it can leave physical scars and cause emotional scarring as well as we struggle to find ways to treat our outbreaks and prevent more. As adults, we have professional lives and social lives to conduct. Adult acne can add a degree of difficulty if it begins to affect our self-confidence. There are treatments, and the good news is that just like when we were teens, it will eventually go away. In the meantime, visit your dermatologist, or try one of the many highly recommended products on the market today to treat your adult acne.

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