An Adult Acne Breakout Seems to Come at the Worst Time

Acne is a source of frustration for a lot of adults, and it is more common than you might think. The treatments that you found effective for your acne when you were a teenager may not work so well now. Most over the counter remedies can dry and irritate the skin, and can even make your acne worse.

Many people try numerous treatments before they find one that works for them. This can make you wonder if the condition you have is true acne, or some other ailment. Hopefully, this article will clear up some of the confusion.

Acne is sometimes thought of as something that only adolescents have to deal with, but the reality is that many adults are susceptible to having an acne flare-up. Adult acne can last well into middle age, and if your case has not gone away by the time you're in your mid-twenties, then it might be more difficult to treat. Adult acne lesions are often painful, large and very inflamed, and the pimples can pop up on the back, buttocks, and the lower part of the face.

Adult acne is, by definition, late onset. Women are a lot more likely than men to get it, too. Those that haven't had acne since adolescence (or even those who have NEVER had acne) can be affected. Late onset acne can be triggered by a hormone fluctuation, such as menopause.

No matter when you get it, your acne has a root cause- overstimulation of the oil glands in your skin, and pores that are clogged with bacteria and dead skin cells. Those hormone fluctuations that we mentioned can bring about the production of too much sebum- which can explain why a lot of women get acne flare-ups right around the start of their menstrual cycle, or when they are expecting a baby.

Certain medications can trigger acne outbreaks. Women on contraceptives can either see their acne get worse or improve, depending on the pill they're taking. If your pill has both progestin and estrogen, normally acne will subside. If the pill only has progestins, acne can get a lot worse- as it also can if you stop taking your pills.

Other drugs can cause acne, too. Medicines like corticosteroids and anticonvulsants can cause acne, but you should never stop taking them because they make your acne worse. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.

Acne can run in families, too. A recent study shows that almost half of all adults with acne had a parent, sibling, or child who also had it. This seems to suggest that adult acne has a genetic component, although how it works is not fully understood.

Acne can be brought on by stress- and women are especially susceptible if they are always trying to balance a demanding career with their home lives. If your body is constantly stressed, it produces more androgens (stress hormones) that stimulate the sebaceous glands.

Those with adult acne should be selective in choosing skincare and haircare products. A lot of hair and skin products contain a high amount of oil, that can lead to cosmetic acne. To avoid this, look for products that don't have oil in them (they'll usually be labeled "non-comedogenic" or something similar). These will reduce your chances of getting cosmetic acne.

Acne can be a warning sign of a more serious medical condition. When adult acne is accompanied by thickening facial hair, balding, and irregular menstrual cycles, it can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, or an adrenal gland disorder. It could also mean that the woman has a tumor on an adrenal gland or ovary. If you are experiencing any of these signs, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Testing can find the cause of the symptoms, and your acne won't go away until they are treated.

If you don't have any serious medical problems, your case of adult acne can probably be controlled with acne therapy. A lot of adults that have acne don't get treatment for it, because they think it's something they'll just have to live with. While adult acne can be difficult to treat, it is possible to bring it under control and even eliminate it.

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July 01 2009 | Acne | No Comments »