Treating Adult Acne

Acne has always been a dreaded occurrence in our lives. Most of us have carried this burden in our teenage years and after almost seven teenage years we think we are finally home free. Then one morning in your twenty sixth, twenty seventh or even twenty eighth year of your existence you wake up with a huge zit on your face.

And even worst, sometimes it is not just one but two or even three or even four! And they just keep on sprouting like weeds in a neglected garden! It makes you wonder, I’m already an adult so why, why, WHY?

Adult acne is more common than we thought. Almost five percent of adults have this condition mostly in their twenties, thirties and even forties and beyond. Acne can be found in the face and sometimes even on the neck and on the chest and back area. There are many reasons for the occurrence of these "devils incarnates" and we will enumerate them here plus ways on how to outsmart them.

Adult Acne Source Number 1: hormones

And we all thought we are done with having problems caused by them! Apparently, they still have a last attack. Experts still can’t pinpoint the main reason why our oil glands are more prone to breakouts because of hormonal shifts in this age line. Unfortunately, these up and down hormonal shifts are the main culprit. But fortunately, your doctor has some tricks up his sleeve to help you.

Foer example,there’s an easy cure for these shifts and that is the common birth control pill. But take note that this is not applicable to you if you are pregnant. For stubborn and hard to kill zits, you may also use medication that has the ingredient retinoids that can help unclog those pores. If that still doesn’t work then it’s high time to up your ammunition. Your doctor may even prescribe antibiotics (may be topical or even oral) to reduce the swelling.

Adult Acne Source Number 2: Daily Grooming Products

It is a fact that as we grow older we tend to become more vain especially in our twenties to thirties when we are still finding our ideal mate. We tend to use a lot of products to make ourselves more attractive to the opposite sex. Unfortunately, this only results in adult acne as these products tend to block pores which can result to zits erupting like crazy in our faces. How ironic, isn’t it? We bought and used these products to make ourselves more pretty only to have these little craters embed in our face. So what should we do?

Simplify! You don’t need all these products to make yourself pretty. Just use basics like moisturizer, cleanser and sun block. Purchase cosmetics that are noncomedogenic and make sure that they are oil free especially your moisturizer. And always remember your acne 101: do not touch your face or rest your chin in dirty hands!

Some Myths about Acne

So we can agree that it is the bane of a person’s existence. Everybody gets it; everybody hates it. And once you have it. We have all been tormented, embarrassed and humiliated. Such a small bump, and so much at stake. So what is this little bundle of horror? What else but the dreaded pimple!

A pimple, or acne as some people call it, is a dreaded red, swollen bump in the face. Nobody is spared from having it. Male or female, people of all nationalities, they all have gotten it at some points of their lives and may even still have it. It is like a universal language; and is like a right of passage in a person’s life.

Pimples are a result of the hormone's action on the skin's oil glands (the sebaceous gland) which leads to clogged pores and outbreak of lesions like pimples and blemishes. It commonly occurs in the neck, face, back, shoulders and chest because the sebaceous glands are most abundant in these locations. But the important question we should be asking in order to avoid this dreaded “disease” is, “What causes this affliction?”

Unfortunately, the causes cannot really be determined unless your parents or their parents had the same trouble and then there’s a chance that you’ll suffer too. But every condition carries its own myths and here are some myths which claim to be the cause of acne.

Myth Number 1

This condition is caused by not washing your face often and not scrubbing it hard enough. Many believed that it is caused by dirt and dust in the face and by washing your face two-three even four times a day or even by scrubbing your face hard can prevent it.

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

It is true that dirt and dust is unsightly to the face and washing the face is the way to eradicate them but washing often can actually irritate the skin more. Washing should not be done more than twice a day. More than twice is enough to strip the face of its natural oils making it dry. Also, scrubbing can cause inflammations. Washing the face should be done as gently as possible with the gentlest facial scrub.

Myth Number 2

Improper Diet can cause it. Certain foods that are oily like French fries and junk food can cause pimples to erupt in our face. But scientific studies have not discovered any connection between these two.

So this means that food does not cause it. Though a proper and healthy diet is always good for our system, eating like a pig won’t make pimples a permanent resident in your face. So feel free to eat your favorite French fries and chocolates anytime, providing, of course, that eating this type of food doesn't aggravate another condition like diabetes.

Myth Number 3

When you’re stressed pimples tend to pop on your face like popcorn pops from a kernel. Not true.

Stress is a part of our daily lives and believe it or not it is not a contributing factor to the acne residing in your face. Only severe stress treated by the doctor MAY cause acne to erupt only as a side effect of the drugs a person may be taking. If this is the case, consult your doctor immediately.

What Can You Do?

A high percentage of individuals are tormented by skin problems like blemishes, rashes, pimples, and blackheads. These problems are commonly experienced during puberty or an early stage in life where people tend to be most socially insecure. Aside from being physical, the effects can also be psychological. However, this dreadful condition can last throughout one's life.

It can drain an individual’s self-esteem and confidence, whether they are young or old. Some individuals may continue experiencing acne related skin infections for decades and it may eventually diminish during early adulthood for most people. There is no way of predicting when it will gradually decrease or fully disappear.

Pimples, blackheads, and blemishes are among the most common skin infections caused by acne. The infection is a result of excessive secretions of oil from the skin glands and its buildup when a skin pore is blocked. Upper regions of the body like the face, chest, back and upper arms are commonly infected.

It can be irritating for most people since it can almost be unpredictable and uncontrollable once it strikes. The exact causes of this skin disease are not known and there have been no guaranteed measure in averting it. Various theories have blamed diet, hereditary reasons, vitamin deficiency and stress as being among the factors that have been closely attributed to these infections. But still nobody knows how to prevent it.

Still, it is best to find a good skin care regimen to ease and control its growth. An average person can make use of typical skin care methods. For severe forms of acne, consulting a dermatologist is advisable in finding ways to lessen swelling and prevent scarring.

Perhaps the best skin care regimen is to regularly wash your skin twice a day. Using a mild natural facial cleanser and warm water in washing your skin regularly can help remove dirt and pollutants. Using strong detergent soaps and scrubbing your skin can only worsen your skin problems. Too much scrubbing can aggravate acne and it can also open up blemishes.

Popping pimples can make the blemishes to spread causing more infection. Some astringents are too strong and can cause more skin irritation. Washing your hair regularly can also help in acne skin care. Washing hair, especially long hair, can help remove excess oil and dirt that might come in contact with the skin.

Proper skin care also involves shaving and using the right razor. Choosing and testing for a comfortable safety razor is important when you have acne. Before applying the shaving cream, the beard can be softened by washing it with soap and water. Using a sharp blade and shaving lightly helps avoid cuts and rupturing pimples.

Many acne skin care products and medicines for treating skin diseases can make your skin more prone to sunburn. Exposing your skin for a while to the sun may help dry up acne blemishes in the surface. Too much exposure to the sun can cause rapid skin aging, skin cancer and can make your skin drier.

Individuals that are prone to acne and are being treated for it should use oil free cosmetic products. Benzoyl peroxide and other acne skin care treatment can redden the skin so applying regular cosmetics products might be difficult. Regular cosmetic products usually contain more fatty acids that are harmful to acne prone individuals. Looking for organic and acne skin care products that will match your skin tone can help avoid more infections.

It is still best that one should consult a dermatologist before applying any acne skin care product or using different methods.

Exerting more effort is needed for serious cases of acne infection to keep it from recurring. Observing proper skin care is important especially for younger individuals since blemishes and rashes tend to heal faster at a young age. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet can help restore the body’s vitality easily.

Would you like to learn more about the causes of adult acne? Find this as well as information on the latest acne treatments and acne skin care to reduce the recurrence of acne outbreaks.