Review of Adult Acne
Adult acne is the name given to frequent breakouts happening later in a person’s life. Even when the name acne is used to refer to any bout of blemishes or pimples, research now reveals however, that not all skin breakouts may be acne. For this reason the type of treatments used during the teenage years may prove to be inefficient to treat adult acne. The following review can help readers to better understand what causes adult acne and what types of treatments are available to those who wish to improve this skin condition.
Adult Acne: Understanding the Causes
Understanding the causes of adult acne is a complex issue mostly because the causes themselves are often complex. Most cases of adult acne can be divided into the following categories:
Permanent Breakouts:
Many adults never stop having acne. In fact, some continue to break out even in their late 20s or 30s and never cease to do so. When this is the case, chances are that those pimples are not really caused by real acne, but are triggered by other underlying medical conditions or are the symptoms of external factors. According to leading specialists, stress is a major factor that contributes to causing acne. Unless this issue is solved at one point in your life, chances are that you will go on breaking out well into adulthood. The same can be said about certain food allergies that trigger pimples.
Changes in Hormone Levels:
Many people who are undergoing hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menopause or use of birth control pills have experienced changes in their complexion that include frequent breakouts, blemishes, clogged pores or excess oil. These cases are usually temporary and usually improve once this hormonal imbalance either resolves by itself or is effectively treated. In some cases, a hormonal treatment may be needed.
Reactions to Skin Care Products:
In other cases, many adults report breakouts caused by the use of certain products. In order to prevent this bad reaction from happening, labels should be carefully read before using a cosmetic product. These are the substances to beware of: lanolin and derivatives, algae extract, cetyl acetate, cocoa butter, any type of alcohol or stearate and finally, all types of oils, such as cotton seed oil. Even when many products claim to be non-comedogenic, research is now clear about how these substances create an oily cover on each pore. Clogged pores in turn are bacteria’s favorite dwelling place, thus giving way to repeated skin infections.
Reactions to Medication:
Some type of medications have also been known to cause breakouts as part of their long list of side effects. Some of these medications include lithium, anti-seisure drugs and corticosteroids. If you already have an issue with adult acne, you should tell your physician about it before taking any medication. If however, you cannot take another medicine, you could see a dermatologist that can help you control the acne.
Treating Adult Acne
Cosmetic Treatments:
A professional aesthetician can help those who suffer from adult acne by using a combination of cleansers, retinoid creams and topical treatments. Some of the best products are those containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Whereas the first ingredients ensure a cleaner, 100% clog-free complexion, the latter deal with more resistant bacteria and build-up by doing away with dead cells and excess sebum.
Medical Treatments:
Those cases of adult acne caused by medical reactions or chronic conditions must be treated with medication which usually combines hormones and antibiotics.
A Final Conclusion on Adult Acne
Breakouts during the adult years are more common than one would expect. However, thanks to the latest developments in the field of cosmetics, adult acne can be treated quite effectively.
