According to quality acne sources, a significant portion of people (50% of women and 25% of men) will deal with acne as adults. Many more deal with the occasional blemish. In most cases, the farther away we get from puberty, the less likely we are to suffer from acne. However, for some individuals, full-blown acne can persist as a problem well into adulthood without diminishing much.
As with acne in teenagers, it appears that acne in adults may be related to hormones. Individuals going through hormonal changes should not be surprised if their skin’s health and appearance change a bit during the process The treatment and causes of adult acne, therefore, are not much different from acne affecting any other age group. Good things you can do to improve your adult acne include:
Using a good face wash. Common effective ingredients in over-the-counter medications include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and resorcinol. Keeping your face clean and free of oil (without over-washing, which can create irritation) is a good way to keep your pores from clogging.
Keeping your body healthy. A good diet (high in fresh produce, whole grains, and water) can help balance your body’s oils, hormones, and more. Scientific studies have not identified the full relationship between acne and food, but keeping your body healthy is always a good idea.
Reducing stress. Stress can impact your body’s hormone levels and oil output. Try to keep yourself calm and centered, and get plenty of sleep. Sleep reduces stress and helps your body to important maintenance, healing, and upkeep while you rest.
Protecting your skin. Use an oil-free, PH-balanced sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. A sunburn can cause your body to create extra oil to try and heal the burn, and the damage can slow down your body’s ability to heal blemishes, which can increase scarring.
Seeing a dermatologist, if necessary. In severe cases of acne, or cases that do not improve at all with over the counter medications and a healthy lifestyle, it might be a good idea to see a professional who specializes in skin care. Dermatologists can asses your body’s specific needs, as well as the specific types of acne abrasions that you have, to give you a specialized treatment regiment.
If you have had acne for many years, there is a good chance that you might have some resulting scars. Keeping control of your acne and protecting your skin from the sun can help your skin heal, but in some cases, the scars just won’t go away. See a dermatologist to discuss skin therapy procedures to help improve the appearance of adult acne scars.
