Adult Acne Treatments

Adult acne treatments are available in many forms. For many who have reached their thirties, forties and above, this is a serious and embarrassing situation that needs to be solved as soon as possible - here's how to do it.

Did you know that twenty-five percent of all adult men and fifty percent of all adult women suffer from some form of acne ? These are the facts, but how many people have never had at least one acne flare up in their adult life? Adults can develop acne well into adulthood - this problem with blemishes is not fun, but somehow it seems worse since this skin disorder is typically thought of as an adolescence problem.

In reality, adult acne, or any acne for that matter, is very difficult to deal with and can lead to depression, a negative self-image and even social anxiety. The causes of adult acne are different for all people and the treatments vary as mush as the causes do. Fortunately, most zit attacks can be treated and managed effectively.

What is adult acne anyway ? The causes are unknown but some people think that it has hormonal connections. The appropriate adult acne treatment may involve balancing your hormones, which typically requires a trip to your physician or dermatologist for some testing to conclude that hormones are indeed the problem. The development of a pimple is very detailed. While it is known that pores that are clogged can block oil from escaping, it is not known why it happens in one pore and not another. Wouldn't you know it ?

It is also not known why this does not happen in all of the pores. The many causes of adult acne and teen acne include hormone imbalance, diet, genetics, vitamin deficiency, stress, and more. The real explanation may be a complex mix of many of these factors. Since it is not know what causes pimples, it is important to focus on the proper acne remedy.

Did you ever wonder why you never see acne affecting young children? The reason is because they do not have the hormones needed to mature the skin's oils. However, once a person becomes an adult there are many things that can throw our bodies out of balance and damage our skin, among other things. Some things that cause such imbalances are puberty, pregnancy, menopause and many other things.

On the other hand, it may be precipitated by androgens, the male hormones found in men and women. Not surprisingly, oil surpluses made by these hormones are the biggest cause of clogged pores and hair follicles, which results in bacteria growth and acne pimples and blemishes. Acne that is caused by hormones is typically more prevalent in women during natural cycles like menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

1. The best treatment happens to be the same solution recommended regularly for teenage acne - benzoyl peroxide kills acne much better than any other acne medication out there on the market today, including all prescription medications. For this product to be effective an acne sufferer must use enough of the product and use it according to the given instructions. If used as directed, and in a large enough amount, the acne will start to clear up in a reasonable amount of time. This method is also very simple and inexpensive.

Benzoyl peroxide does not have a negative effect on the skin first, unlike some prescription acne treatments, meaning you will not see a worsening of the skin before you see improvement. Skin does not build up a tolerance to this treatment so it will be effective for long-term use. If it works on acne the first time, it will always work.

2. Or, you could try natural fruit acids called alpha and beta-hydroxy acids (like glycolic and salicylic acid), found in cleansers, toners and spot treatments. They trigger the shedding of dead skin cells to prevent them from sticking together and clogging the pores. In addition, you can get hydroxy acid peels from your dermatologist, or in weaker concentrations from a spa aesthetician. These 10 minute treatments peel off the surface layer of skin to help get rid of dead skin cells. However, be prepared - they can sting a little and may cause some redness and noticeable peeling for up to several days afterward.

3. Another favorite acne-fighter is azelaic acid, a natural substance derived from whole grains like wheat, rye and barley. It's the key ingredient in a prescription-strength OTC cream called Azelex. It's an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and exfoliator, plus it helps clear up pimples as well as prevent future breakouts. Although this cream doesn't dry out the skin, it does have a side effect in some people - a slight itching, burning or stinging sensation on the skin for up to four weeks. Dermatologists routinely prescribe it for patients whose skin is sensitive to more harsh acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

4. On a more natural side, vitamin C is a well-known anti-inflammatory, which is why dermatologists recommend applying oil-free serums containing this nutrient to your skin twice a day after cleansing. While these serums don't dry up pimples, they can reduce a pimple's redness. When using a vitamin C serum, it's essential to combine it with another drying or exfoliating product like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, so you can dry out the pimple's excess oils.

5. Another natural topical is tea tree oil (derived from the Australian tree Melaleuca alternifolia), known for its antibacterial properties. But make sure you look for cleansers and masks that contain essences of tea tree oil within a non-comedogenic cream or gel base, as heavy essential oils can clog pores.

6. Contact your physician - because adult acne is often caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body, it may take a visit to the dermatologist to help clear up your skin. Many women break out about a week before their period, when levels of the hormone progesterone peak. Hormonal acne usually occurs along the jawline or the upper parts of the neck, while the forehead and cheeks remain dear. If you get acne right around your period, or have developed it after starting birth control pills, consult your gynecologist or dermatologist, who might be able to prescribe a lower-dose birth control pill.

If your skin breaks out everywhere, doesn't coincide with your menstrual cycle and seems to be mainly of the cystic type, your acne is likely genetic. The glands may be unable to shed old cells, causing them to dump together and clog the pore. If this is the case, make an appointment with your dermatologist, who can prescribe medication.

7. Don't pick at your pimples - not only does squeezing pimples cause further infection and inflammation, but it can also spread the bacteria (and the acne) from one pore to the next. Dermatologists advise applying a warm, or hot washcloth to the blemish for about two minutes several times a day to help reduce inflammation and redness. But, your doc could also give you shots of cortisone, administered in minute amounts into the center of the problem, can reduce the inflammation within 24 hours and also prevent scarring, which usually occurs when you try to pop a zit yourself. These shots are also particularly helpful for people with cystic acne - skin flare-ups that take longer to treat and clear up.

Other tips include washing your face at least twice a day before applying any topical creams or gels. Try not to scrub your face with a wash-cloth, grainy exofoliating scrub or face-scrubbing buffer as they can aggravate acne and leave your face red and raw. Instead, wash with your hands. It's also important to use a moisturizer, particularly if you're using drying topical treatments. Look for products that are oil-free or non-comedogenic, and apply them sparingly twice daily after cleansing and before using topical treatments.

Some good lifestyle rules to stick to for clear skin are quite logical, but should be emphasized ...

Eat a balanced diet, with adequate protein, little or no refined sugar products (which cause hormones to spike up and down rapidly), and plenty of skin-nourishing fruits and vegetables - these are a must for clear, healthy skin.

Second, try to reduce your stress levels by taking walks, getting cardiovascular exercise of some sort, or practicing relaxation techniques in the form of yoga, meditation, or tai-chi. It sound trivial, but stress levels and how you allow yourself to be affected by daily stress, really reflects in your skins appearance.

Keep in mind that adult acne treatments may take anywhere from three days to three weeks to work, depending on the severity of your outbreaks. No routine or product will result in perfect skin overnight, but diligently applying the right product, keeping your hands off your face and visiting your dermatologist regularly can get your skin looking radiant in no time.