Adult Onset Acne

Acne is often thought of as a teenage problem; however, anyone at any age can get acne, and in fact, adult onset acne is a very common ailment. The basic acne consists of comedos, commonly known as pimples. These are formed under the skin in the sac of a hair follicle. Built up oils and dirt can cause a buildup of bacteria and the sac can become enlarged and sometimes full of pus.

Adult acne often occurs in different areas than teen acne. Adult acne is more often near the chin or jaws in the lower third of the face and it usually affects more women than men. It can be more difficult to treat because this part of the face is more sensitive to harsh medications.

Many factors may contribute to adult onset acne. It can occur in both people who have had teen acne as well as those who did not. Hormone imbalance, toxins, weakened immune systems, poor diet and stress may all be contributing factors in adult acne. Another large factor may also be paying less attention to the needs of the skin.

To start with you need to address the immediate needs of the acne. For acne that is not severe start with a good topical over the counter treatment. The most common ones contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These formulas clear the pores and help fight bacteria in the skin. They are available in various forms such as creams, lotions and gels. For oily skin, gels are often the best choice, as they don't provide extra moisture that lotions can.

Choose a skin cleanser along with a topical treatment. The cleanser should be specially formulated to help acne-prone skin. Limit yourself to washing your face only twice per day.

Washing more often can actually have adverse affects on acne and on the skin by drying it out too much. If your acne is limited to only certain facial areas you can use the acne skin cleanser only on those portions. That will keep the rest of your face from getting irritated.

If the acne is severe or does not improve with common topical treatments a visit to the dermatologist is in order. He or she can prescribe a stronger medication. There are also several prescription medications that treat the acne from the inside out by decreasing the amount of sebum that the glands produce. There may be side effects with these treatments, some severe including birth defects. Talk over any possible side effects with your doctor before you begin taking any new medication.

Once you have started treatment of the acne a long-term solution should be decided. The best way to keep acne at bay is to take good care of your body. Pay more attention to eating properly balanced meals and try to eat foods that contain high levels of antioxidants as these can help the body naturally fight disease.

To help combat adult onset acne, drink plenty of water to cleanse the body and skin and get enough sleep each night. Learn to relax and reduce the amount of stress in your life. The role stress plays in acne is still undetermined however it is better to be safe than sorry. Also, continue to cleanse the face with cleansers designed for acne and wash your face once or twice per day.

Adult Acne Treatments