Stubborn Adult Acne – Does Anything Really Work?

You may be surprised to learn that adult acne is actually fairly common. Everyone knows teenagers often develop pimples as their hormones kick in, but the assumption is teens will “outgrow” their acne.

Although for many lucky people this is the case, but for many others acne can be a persistent problems far past the teen years. Acne during the teen years can have a devastating effect on their self-esteem but adult acne can cause even more psychological stress. It can be disheartening to see your friends and coworkers with clear skin while you are still dealing with pimples that were supposed to be long gone!

Acne in adults can be a continuation of their teenage acne or it can show up for the first time in adults. Unfortunately for some, acne can continue until their fifties and even beyond. Many women with a history of clear skin can first develop acne during pregnancy or menopause when their hormones change drastically. The challenge with adult acne is that it can be more resistant to treatment and is best treated with a multi-faceted approach.

Adult acne can be made worse by the stresses of modern life including balancing careers with family life, not to mention our unhealthy lifestyles and poor diet.

Dermatologists say acne seems to be on the rise in adults today. While no one is certain why, it seems there is a connection between our unhealthy lifestyles and skin problems.

Males generally have more severe forms of acne and more serious acne scars. The male hormones, or androgens, are the culprits behind this skin condition and young men suffer the most. Ironically though, women have more trouble with chronic acne and pimples in their adult years. Women have the unique hormonal shifts from taking birth control pills, menstrual cycles, pregnancies and menopause, which can cause skin eruptions at these times.

Doctors still don’t know exactly what causes acne in some and not others, and why it is so common today. Experts suggest environmental factors such as chemicals in our environment, hormones and antibiotics added to our foods, and unhealthy habits such as drinking alcohol, eating sugar and smoking all contribute to the rise in acne.

How can you get adult acne under control?

While we are still looking for a “cure” for acne, there is much you can do to treat the symptoms and control this skin problem. There are many prescription and over the counter acne medications that are very effective and new laser technologies are exciting too. Today lasers can help control acne and improve the appearance of scars. With all of the treatment options today, everyone can have clearer skin.

There are a variety of treatments options for every budget. Don’t just suffer…learn more about what you can do to keep your skin clear and healthy today.

Want to find out more about adult acne treatments, then visit Joy Byers’s site on how to choose the best skin care products for your needs.