As a skin condition, acne doesn’t really discriminate. While there are some demographics that it tends to affect more frequently, acne sufferers range in age from the quite young (as young as 9 or 10—as soon as puberty begins) to adults in their 40s and older.
According to WebMD.com, roughly a quarter of adult acne sufferers are men. That’s a much smaller percentage than the ¾ who are women, but for those men suffering with adult male acne, statistics aren’t encouraging, and the condition can be quite discouraging, as well.
Everyone knows that acne occurs most often in teenagers. For teens, who are already more prone to self esteem issues, acne can be incredibly embarrassing, and even a source of shame. While adults don’t have the hormonal complications that adolescents do, acne is nevertheless a difficulty that has emotional and personal affects on your psyche.
Acne In Men Vs. Women
So what are the differences between men and women when it comes to acne? They’re not all that great. We know that acne worsens with shifts in hormones, and men don’t have to worry about the same monthly fluctuations that women do with their menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. But hormones aren’t the only contributing factors to acne breakouts and flare-ups. In most other respects, acne in men and in women is no different.
Causes
Different studies associate stress, sleep habits, and dietary habits with different behavior in acne, and all of these apply to men and women alike. If you are stressed, you’re more likely to have wildly swinging hormones, which produce oil that clogs your pores and feeds the bacteria that cause acne. Sleep allows your body to repair itself—including the skin—so skimping on hours can slow down the healing process that makes a breakout fade. And there are a slough of foods that may, or may not, increase acne.
But to date, no one is sure exactly why acne happens. It’s probably a little bit different for everyone. This means that for treatment, it’s all about what works for you. Man or woman, adult or teenager, finding the right acne treatment is about personal trial and error.
Treatments
A good first bet is to try over the counter medications and treatments. There are a number of great products out there, at varying strengths, that rely on different chemicals to help your skin control its oils and heal faster. If they don’t work like you think they should, you can always meet with a dermatologist to get a personalized acne treatment regime.
