No one over the age of 30 expects to look in the mirror and see pimples, but adult-onset acne is real and all-too-common. Even if you were lucky enough to go through adolescence without an acne problem, you can still have your first breakout in adulthood.
If you struggle to clear away adult acne or you have severe inflammatory acne, it's time to consult Theresa Durchhalter, DO, at Allure Dermatology. She offers a range of treatments that help people of all ages regain a flawless, beautiful complexion.
In this blog, she explains why you still get acne and gives you some tips for getting rid of the problem.
You may be surprised to learn that adults get acne for the same reasons as teens. The top causes include:
For such tiny organs, the oil glands in your skin can cause big problems. Though some oil (sebum) is essential for lubricating your skin, excessive oil production leads to acne.
The oil glands are located inside narrow hair follicles. Extra oil can easily get trapped inside the follicle, thanks to dead skin at the surface blocking the pore.
As bacteria (that naturally live on your skin) accumulate in the oil, inflammation develops. Then the area becomes red and inflamed, and you have acne.
Sebum production dramatically rises when teens go through puberty, peaks in your 20s, and then slowly declines over your adult years. But that doesn't mean you're free from blemishes. Adults often get acne in their 30s and 40s and even through their 50s.
Sex hormones regulate oil production. The extreme hormonal changes in adolescence account for teen acne challenges. Adults face similar, if less dramatic, hormone fluctuations that also cause acne.
Though men get acne, women have a higher risk. They face the problem more frequently becaues their hormones change around their periods and during pregnancy and menopause.
When you’re under stress, your hormone levels rise, including the hormones that stimulate oil production. Normal, everyday stress that comes and goes shouldn’t cause a problem. But if you’re prone to acne, constant daily stress can make it worse.
The products you use to care for your skin and hair may have ingredients that contribute to acne. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using products that have one of the following claims on the label:
It’s especially important to be sure the products you frequently use, like your moisturizer, cleanser, and sunscreen, won’t cause acne.
You already know the basics about how to get rid of acne (skin care and acne treatments), but we have a few tips that may make a difference:
You may diligently follow a daily skin care routine and still have acne. However, you may need to tweak your routine to meet the following recommendations:
If you keep up with skin care, the next step is trying over-the-counter acne products.
Here’s an important tip for getting the best results from over-the-counter acne medications: Use the same product for several weeks before trying another one. It takes 4-6 weeks to see an improvement and up to three months for all your acne to clear.
If the first product doesn’t work after 4-6 weeks, add a second one that has a different ingredient. Each primary ingredient tackles a different cause:
If your acne doesn’t improve by combining medications, or your acne leaves scars, it’s time to see a dermatologist.
We offer the next level of care, providing many different treatments capable of healing your acne and preventing future breakouts. Two of our primary treatments include:
You may need a prescription-strength version of one of the over-the-counter medications. We also prescribe specialized medications that you can’t get in the local pharmacy, such as oral antibiotics, Accutane®, and medications to stabilize your hormones. If you have severe inflammation, we may recommend a corticosteroid injection.
Chemical peels remove one or more layers of your skin. This treatment unclogs pores, reduces acne, and diminishes acne scarring.
If you have any questions about acne, call Allure Dermatology or book an appointment online today.
