Fighting Adulthood Acne
October 1, 2009 by Raymond Stark
Filed under Skin Care
In the past, parents would provide their teenagers tips for treating acne, especially since most dealt with the disorder in the past. These days, adults are instead interchanging tips with their kids. Acne has proven that it does not discriminate based on age. Adulthood used to be regarded as the gateway to clear skin, but now it is no longer the same story. People are lucky if they get a few years break from the disorder, only to find it return right before they enter the workforce. It can be frustrating trying to find an acne treatment as an adult, especially since skin care companies market their products almost exclusively to teenagers. Fortunately, eliminating adult acne is not a very tedious or complicated process.
Teenagers and adults get acne when their pores are obstructed by dead skin, letting sebum collect inside. This sebum fuels acne bacteria breeding. The body responds to this rapid multiplication by activating an immune response, which causes inflammation and redness. You are left with acne lesion after all of these events perspire.
Acne treatments focus on attacking the p. acnes bacteria as well as the skin turnover problem that leaves dead cells lingering on the skin. Commercially available treatments mostly eliminate bacteria, with additives like benzoyl peroxide. The exfoliating effect is often more negligible. Prescription medications tackle the disorder from both fronts with equal amounts of effort. Topical retinoids are the weapon of choice, one of them being Retin-A. These speed up skin sell turnover to prevent pore blockages. Antibiotics are used to control acne bacteria. Adults can experience results with either commercial or prescription products. The main determinant is the severity of their disorder. Acne that has re-risen from your teenage years will likely be more responsive to prescription treatments.
If you can recall from your teenage years what products worked for you, they might be worth looking into once again. Anyone who never had acne prior to their adult years should start off with a tube of benzoyl peroxide. After several weeks of treatment, you should be able to gauge whether or not a dermatologist visit is in order. If this is the route you take, the dermatologist will give you topical creams and pills for relief. You may determine that laser acne therapy or a dermbrasion is a more appropriate option as well.
Adulthood can be much more stressful than your teenage years, and this is one reason for such a large prevalence of acne even in the older population. Adopting better strategies for coping with stress and a more consistent sleeping pattern can bring about good results. Reforming eating habits is another good way to tackle adult acne. Move away from processed foods and make healthier choices. The faster you follow these suggestions, the quicker you will get rid of your adult acne.