You thought that once you entered adulthood acne would be just a memory, right?
Think again!Adult acneis very common, especially for women.
Those old standby treatments probably won’t work now, at least not very well.
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But there are other weapons in the acne treatment arsenal that can effectively clear adult acne.
These 10 must-know facts will help you treat your adult acne.
It’s also common to find yourself breaking out for the very first time as an adult.
There are several reasons why acne rears its head post-puberty.
Certain medications can trigger breakouts, as well as conditions likepolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Women Are More Likely to Get Acne Than Men
Acne doesn’t discriminate.
It affects both males and females, about equally during the teen years.
During adulthood, it’s a different story.
Adult acne strikes one of the sexes with much greater frequency than the other.
Can you guess which one?
Yes, ladies, you’remore likely than a man to get acne.
It’s those hormones again.
Thepredisposition for acne is genetic.
That’s not necessarily true.
Rosaceais a skin problem that also causes red, acne-like pimples on the face.
Acne and rosacea aren’t the onlyskin conditions that cause pimples.
Many women find themselvesbreaking out more right before their period.
Menopause andperimenopauseare also common times in a woman’s life when acne suddenly appears.
Any changes that cause major hormonal shifts in the body can trigger acne.
The changes that occur in your body duringpregnancy can also change your skin, for better or for worse.
For some women, their skin never looks better than during pregnancy.
Others break out like crazy.
And after you have your little one, you may not be in the clear, either.
For some women,postpartum acneis also an issue.
Ask yourOB/GYNor your dermatologist for acne treatments that are safe for mommies-to-be.
).Adult acne tends to be mild to moderate, but it is also stubborn.
There are manyadult acne treatmentsavailable today.
To treat it successfully, you will probably need a combination of treatments.
They help regulate hormonal fluctuations that contribute to breakouts.
Spironolactone - An anti-androgen that’s used to treat hormonal acne.
These are just a select few of the many treatments available.
There are many more, at least one of which will be right for you.
Most people only need to take one or two courses of isotretinoin to get acne under control.
You Need a Good Skin Care Routine
Agood skin care routinegoes hand-in-hand with acne treatment medications.
But not all acne-prone skin is oily.
In fact, your skin may be rather dry.
So, instead choose non-foaming washes andtoners versus astringents.
If you’re using prescription acne medications, forgo OTC acne products altogether.
Instead, choose gentle, hydrating skin care products to keep acne medications from drying out your skin.
If you need help choosing your skin care products, employ the help of anestheticianor your dermatologist.
Don’t Wait to See a Healthcare Provider
Over-the-counter acne treatments typically best for minor breakouts.
If you wait, your acne may get worse and could possibly causescarring.
This is especially true if you have large, inflamed breakouts or if you are prone tohyperpigmentationand scarring anyway.
Acne is just one more stress you don’t need.
It will help you feel better and protect against the eroding of self-confidence that sometimes comes with acne.
Remember, you deserve it!
Summary
Adult acne is very common among women, so you’re definitely not alone.
It can be treated, even if you’ve had it for a long time.
The key is to get professional help in the form of a skilled dermatologist.
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