Adult Acne
Acne is not only common in teens. there is also adult acne. It is as well a common form of acne.
Back when I was a teen afflicted with acne, I consoled my anxieties with the hope that the condition will go away once I leave puberty behind. Skin clears once you grow older, I assured myself. Of course, that didn't happen. Instead of outgrowing the breakouts, I continued struggling with acne all through my 20s medicating it, treating it and taking precautions to avoid further infections in the future.
Adult-Onset Acne
Some people who never had acne suddenly develop it after the age of 18. That must be tough. Imagine living your teenage life with relatively blemish-free skin, only to suffer from adult acne in your later years. Worse, adult acne can crop up whether you are in your 20s, 30s and even later for others.
Is Adult Acne Like Regular Acne?
Adult acne differs from regular teenage breakouts in several ways there are fewer blackheads and whiteheads, scarring is minimal and majority of acne will form in the lower parts of the face such as the jaw, neckline and lower cheeks. In some cases, breakouts happen in even lower areas such as the chest, shoulders and back.
Both teenage and adult-onset versions of acne are traced back to the body's adverse reactions to androgen. While teenagers usually suffer an acne condition due to abnormally-increased levels of the hormone, adults experience it due to their body's particular sensitivity to them despite normal levels.
Adult Acne and Women
Adult acne is a predominantly female condition - so much so that some people refer to it as "female adult acne." Its appearance can fluctuate erratically but often coincide with hormonal changes linked to women's menstrual cycles. Apart from regular acne visits along with the monthly period, they can also aggravate during pregnancy and if you're taking medication that affects your body's hormone production.
Treating Adult Acne
Adult acne is usually treated with the same regular acne medication used on teenage breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide, sulfacetamide, retinoids and other topical solution should work just as well. Additional account may be taken of your skin's moisture condition. Unlike teenage acne which is usually accompanied by excessive skin oil, adult acne sufferers can range from dry to oily skin pretty evenly. You will need to choose your medications based on that. Luckily, most adult acne is easily treated when the proper treatment is used.