Despite acne being predominantly associated with teenagers, acne in adults is far more common than most people would assume. It is estimated that well over 20% of adults suffer from acne either permanently or with occasional breakouts, and it can cause exactly the same anxiety and damage to the person's self esteem as it can for a teen. Those who had acne during their teens are more likely to see it make an appearance in their adult life too, and women are slightly more prone to suffering with adult acne than men.
Acne in adults, like with teenagers, occurs due to too much production of oil, or sebum, by the glands. This oil, along with dead skin cells, blocks the pores of the skin causing blackheads to form, whilst also providing a fertile environment for bacteria to develop and infect the skin. Whereas the reason for this increased production of sebum for a teenager lies in the natural hormonal changes the body is going through, for an adult things aren't so clear.
It is thought that some people may be genetically pre-disposed to hormonal fluctuations, and this could explain why some adults will have occasional outbreaks of acne throughout their adult life. For women pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, birth control pills and the onset of the menopause can also all cause hormonal changes that can trigger a bout of acne.
Although there are no clear and decisive answers as to why acne in adults even occurs, hormonal changes in the body is just one theory to consider. Other possible causes that skin experts believe may be responsible for adults getting acne include stress, poor nutrition and the use of cosmetics and other products on the skin.
There are several options open for adults with acne to treat the condition, and it often depends on what the likely cause is for a particular individual. What is important for all adult sufferers of acne, is that you should absolutely not treat it using products developed for teenage acne. Many of these products work specifically by tackling the very oily nature of a teenagers skin, and when used on the much drier skin of an adult can leave it overly dry and parched.
Common methods of treating acne in adults include the use of mild cleansers along with a good cleaning regime, retinol creams to clean out blocked pores and antibiotics to kill the bacteria flourishing in the environment created by the sebum. People with unhealthy eating habits may see results from giving their diet a good overhaul. Try switching over from processed food like white bread to the wholemeal alternative, and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to give your body, and your skin, some much needed nutrition.
Acne in adults, like with teenagers, occurs due to too much production of oil, or sebum, by the glands. This oil, along with dead skin cells, blocks the pores of the skin causing blackheads to form, whilst also providing a fertile environment for bacteria to develop and infect the skin. Whereas the reason for this increased production of sebum for a teenager lies in the natural hormonal changes the body is going through, for an adult things aren't so clear.
It is thought that some people may be genetically pre-disposed to hormonal fluctuations, and this could explain why some adults will have occasional outbreaks of acne throughout their adult life. For women pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, birth control pills and the onset of the menopause can also all cause hormonal changes that can trigger a bout of acne.
Although there are no clear and decisive answers as to why acne in adults even occurs, hormonal changes in the body is just one theory to consider. Other possible causes that skin experts believe may be responsible for adults getting acne include stress, poor nutrition and the use of cosmetics and other products on the skin.
There are several options open for adults with acne to treat the condition, and it often depends on what the likely cause is for a particular individual. What is important for all adult sufferers of acne, is that you should absolutely not treat it using products developed for teenage acne. Many of these products work specifically by tackling the very oily nature of a teenagers skin, and when used on the much drier skin of an adult can leave it overly dry and parched.
Common methods of treating acne in adults include the use of mild cleansers along with a good cleaning regime, retinol creams to clean out blocked pores and antibiotics to kill the bacteria flourishing in the environment created by the sebum. People with unhealthy eating habits may see results from giving their diet a good overhaul. Try switching over from processed food like white bread to the wholemeal alternative, and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to give your body, and your skin, some much needed nutrition.
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