Acne in Your Adult Years
Up until the last few decades, parents were providing guidance to their teens as to how to successfully combat acne. In present day, parents continue to help their teens with this disorder and vice-versa. This is clear indication that the acne problem has literally grown out of control. Adulthood used to translate to clear skin, but things have drastically changed since then. These days, teens transitioning to adulthood are considered fortunate if their skin stays clear for a few years following their school years. Adults often struggle trying to decide upon an acne treatment. After all, skin care companies have always marketed their products towards a young demographic. The truth is that tackling adult acne is not as complicated as some like to think.
In both teenagers and adults, acne occurs when the hair follicle becomes plugged with dead skin. Oil (also known as sebum) which travels up the hair follicle to the surface of the skin, remains trapped inside the hair follicle, feeding a multiplication frenzy of p. acnes bacteria inside. The body’s immune system responds to the bacterial growth with inflammation, which surfaces on our skin.
Treatments for acne revolve around killing acne bacteria and improving skin turnover to prevent pore blockages. Over-the-counter products address the bacterial aspect more than anything else, with active ingredients like salycilic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Prescription products address both facets exceptionally well, using topical retinoids like Tretinoin and bacterial topicals such as Erythromycin. Adult can respond favorably to either store-bought or prescription products, however, the latter route may be recommended as the acne has proven to be much more stubborn than initially thought.
If you can recall from your teenage years what products worked for you, they might be worth looking into once again. Anyone who never had acne prior to their adult years should start off with a tube of benzoyl peroxide. After several weeks of treatment, you should be able to gauge whether or not a dermatologist visit is in order. If this is the route you take, the dermatologist will give you topical creams and pills for relief. You may determine that laser acne therapy or a dermbrasion is a more appropriate option as well.
The adult years are usually much more stressful than those that preceded them. Hence, the fact that acne is afflicting more and more adults is not necessarily very surprising. Developing strategies to manage stress and keeping your sleep habits consistent can help you maintain clear skin. Eating habits might also need be modified to yield optimal results. These changes might seem drastic now, but they will ensure that you have a long and healthy future.
