How Adult Acne Treatments Differ From Teenage Acne Treatments

Posted by acnetips

When you think about who suffers with acne, do you picture spotty teenagers with oily skin and greasy hair? You’re right, because acne occurs in about 85% of teenagers, affecting more boys than girls. This is due to the over-activity of the sebaceous glands that secret oil on the skin during puberty. During adolescence there is a sharp increase in the production of androgens in the body which stimulate the sebaceous glands. This is the reason why acne affects more teenagers than adults.

Getting acne at any age can cause problems emotionally. Who wants to look in the mirror and see a spotty face looking back at them. This is a very vulnerable time for teenagers especially, because this is when they become worried about their looks. Suffering with acne can cause embarrassment, affecting both self-confidence and self-esteem. This does not mean that adults have no problem with spots, but that they are better able to deal with them. They probably laugh it off and say that they are turning into teenagers!

So why are adult acne treatments different from teenage acne treatments? To begin, the causes and symptoms of adult acne is different from teenage acne. Teenagers have the tendency to suffer more with blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules, whilst adults tend to have more papules and cysts. With teenagers, acne is mostly caused by an over-production of oil. However, with adults there are different causes such as hormonal fluctuations, coming off birth control pills, stress and reactions to makeup. For these reasons, adult acne affects more women than men. It’s not unusual for a woman to get spotty around the time of their periods, during pregnancy and during menopause. Another reason for acne in adult women may be polycystic ovary syndrome.

So what are the differences between adult acne and teenage acne treatments?

1.As teenage skin is usually more oily, acne products aimed for teenagers contain ingredients that cause the skin to produce less oil. Unless your skin is very oily, adults should stay away from teen marketed products as these can be too drying. You should look for brands that are specific to the adult market.

2. Over-the-counter medication to treat teenage acne is usually the same as treating adult acne. However, a teenager will be be prescribed a lower dosage of prescription only medication, based on his or her body weight.

3.Adult women are often prescribed oral contraceptives to help balance hormonal fluctuation that cause acne especially associated with menstruation. Also some women are advised to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), especially post-menopausal women who are also suffering from other symptoms.

Whether you have teenage or adult acne, the treatment is the same; prescription or over-the-counter medication advised by your health care practitioner.

If you want to know more about adult acne treatments or about acne scar remedies, please visit my Clear Skin Guide website.

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