Beyond the Teen Years – Coping with Adult Acne

Beyond the Teen Years – Coping with Adult Acne

For many teens, coping with acne is a daily part of life. Often the psychological effects of this condition can be very difficult for a young person to deal with. The embarrassment, loss of confidence or self esteem can have a negative impact on many aspects of a person’s life, including their relationships with others.

If you’re well beyond your teen years and still experiencing acne outbreaks, you probably have several additional concerns, including the cause or source of your acne. While a large percentage of acne patients are teenagers, many adults also suffer from frequent outbreaks or blemishes on a regular basis too.

This is especially true for women. Although equally troubling, adult acne may require different types of treatment methods than those used for younger individuals.  As the number of acne cases in adult women continues to grow, there has been increasing interest in the correlation between hormones and acne.

Acne caused by a fluctuation of hormones generally doesn’t occur until a woman is well into her twenties. Unfortunately, this type of acne can persist for many years, sometimes even until a woman reaches menopause.

Luckily there are many treatment options available for adult acne. Depending upon the severity of the condition, your doctor may prescribe a number of medications including antibiotics and topical creams that contain retinoid.

Oral contraceptives have also been effective in reducing or eliminating acne symptoms in adult women. If you’re not currently taking birth control, it’s a good idea to discuss both the benefits and risks of this type of treatment with your doctor. While oral contraceptives are believed to reduce your chances of developing other conditions such as osteoporosis and many types of cancer, they can cause harmful side effects in some cases.

What many women fail to realize is how you cleanse your skin can have an impact on acne outbreaks too. While it may be tempting to scrub your skin clean, a more gentle approach is recommended.

Harsh scrubbing will often aggravate your skin and cause redness. Instead lightly wash your face with a mild cleanser that contains glycolic acid or a similar ingredient known to reduce excess oils.

Cosmetic products should also be chosen with care. Although it’s not necessary to refrain from wearing makeup, you’ll want to use as many noncomedogenic cosmetic products as possible.

Whether in the form of creams, lotions, or oils, noncomedogenic or non- occlusive makeup products will not block your pores and increase your chances of an acne outbreak. For women with dry or aging skin, there are even special moisturizing non-occlusive creams to soften your face.

While sun and outdoor air are both beneficial in promoting healthy skin, the use of acne medications or ointments can often make you more sensitive to sunlight exposure. In order to avoid sunburn or redness, be sure to use a sunscreen block that’s appropriate for your skin type.

Although adult acne can be quite embarrassing, especially for adults thirty or older, there are a number of successful treatment options available. Often the hardest task is locating the medication or product that works well for you.

For best results, seek the assistance of a physician or dermatologist first. By treating your acne in its initial stages, you can decrease your chances of future outbreaks and eliminate or reduce symptoms before they become more serious.

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