According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a growing number of adults – mostly women – develop acne in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Find out what causes adult acne and learn about acne treatments that work for severe adult acne.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of adults suffering from acne, some of whom had never developed acne in their adolescent years. Dermatologists categorize adult acne into two types:
Persistent Acne
Persistent acne refers to acne that first develops in puberty and continues well into adulthood. While most teenagers who suffer from pimples, zits, and acne usually see their symptoms diminish after they reach their twenties, quite a number remain victims to skin problems.
Persistent Acne is more common in women than in men, and is characterized by inflamed nodules and pimples usually found along the lower area of the face, from the chin to the jaw line and even around the mouth.
Late Onset Acne
In other instances, adults who have not had acne breakouts for years or have never experienced acne in their teenage years suddenly develop nodules and cysts in the skins of their faces, as well as pimples in their backs, chest area, and upper arms. Such instances are described by dermatologists as Late Onset Acne.
Late Onset Acne is a type of adult acne believed to be caused by fluctuations in hormones – a hormonal imbalance usually associated with menopause. Acne forms along the same area as persistent acne, with lesions appearing on the back and the chest area.
What Causes Adult Acne?
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are three factors that cause acne regardless of age. These are:
- Excessive Sebum
- Dead Skin Cells
- Bacteria
When the skin produces excessive amounts of sebum, these are forced out of the pores and hair follicles. Sometimes the sebum gets blocked by dead skin cells, and the two combine to block the pores and hair follicles – a “plug” of sorts that appear white when completely blocked (what we know as whiteheads) and black when partially blocked (blackheads). This becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which causes infection and the spread of inflammation, causing adult acne. When left untreated, this can lead to severe adult acne and acne scarring.
But a question remains: why is it persistent, and why does adult acne affect people who have been clear of it for years?
Dermatologists from the AAD conducted researches and observations gathered from their practice. They believe that adult acne is triggered by the following causes:
- Hormonal imbalance caused by pregnancy or menopause
- Acne cosmetica, a type of adult acne caused by hair and skin care products that are comedogenic and acnegenic
- Certain medications such as corticosteroids; anticonvulsant medication; drugs for sobriety; and birth control pills that contain estrogen and/or progestins
- Acne that runs in the family
- Stress
Acne Treatments that Work
The WebMD Acne Health Center and the WebMD Community Experts on Acne and adult acne suggest numerous steps that are proven to put acne under control. Some of these include:
- Staying fit and healthy inside and out through a healthy eating diet
- Use only medications and skin care products prescribed by your dermatologist. This may include benzoyl peroxide to kill bacterial infection; cleansers with retinol to clean pores; creams and lotions with salicylic and glycolic acids to clear acne scarring; and certain prescription medications to balance hormones and prevent infection.
Ask your dermatologist for the best acne treatments and products available for your condition.