ZENMED Cosmetics

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.

Most adults that get acne will try almost anything to get rid of it, and they often try scores of treatments before they find one that works. If you’ve done this, you probably wonder if your acne will ever go away. If you’ll just read a little further, you might have some of your questions answered.

Many think of acne as a problem that only affects teenagers, but the truth is, it can persist into your thirties, and some even have it when they reach 40. Any case of acne that hasn’t cleared up for good by the time you reach your mid-twenties is considered to be persistent. Adult acne often comes with deep, tender and irritated large nodules, and it is far more common in women. Persistent adult acne usually crops up on the lower part of the face- usually around the mouth, chin, and jaw line.

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.

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.

Some medications can make acne worse, too. Many birth control pills are known to regulate acne, and starting or stopping them suddenly can have an effect on your adult acne. Pills that contain estrogen and progestins control acne in women, but those birth control pills that only contain progestins can aggravate acne.

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.

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.

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’ve seen your doctor, and they’ve ruled out polycystic ovary syndrome or other conditions, your acne may need more aggressive treatment. There are a lot of effective natural remedies available. You don’t have to live with adult acne anymore- with persistence it can be treated.