Although there has been an increase
in reports of adult acne, there is no need to stress more and create more of
those unsightly, unwanted, blemishes! There are multiple, effective treatment options available to women of all ages. According to a study done by
Massachusetts General Hospital, 45% of women ages 21-30, 26% of women ages 31-40,
and 12% of women ages 41-50, experience adult acne. However, just because you
have a condition that is associated with teenage skin, doesn't mean you should
treat all acne the same.
There are multiple factors that are
thought to be contributing to adult acne. Adult acne can be caused by
fluctuating hormones that occur with monthly cycles, starting or stopping some
forms of oral contraceptives, pregnancy, being premenopausal and menopause,
stress, and even eating hormone enhanced foods such as non-organic meat and
dairy. In 2006, Harvard researchers found that girls who drank
two or more glasses a day of milk had a higher risk of acne than did girls
drinking less than a glass a week. A study published
in 2007 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition linked a low glycemic
diet to clearer skin.
The
problem is that even though these hormone fluctuations cause the body to
produce extra amounts of sebum the aging skin is still relatively dryer and
more prone to sensitivity to some of the products used on teenage skin. The
happy news? There is hope and a variety of treatment options.
The first suggestion to help treat adult skin
acne issues is to clean your cabinets of harsh acne products and try a gentler
approach. Various studies, and my own
personal experience, is that 2.5% benzoyl
peroxide works just as well as 5% or 10% formulations and is less
irritating to the skin. In addition, you can try new, gentle, effective
products such as Aczone (dapsone) or gentle formulations of Retinoids such as
Atralin Gel or Retin-A Micro (0.04%) gel. These formulas are designed to
increase cellular turn over and keep the pores from getting clogged which can
lead to blemishes.
Skin Ceuticals, a favorite skin care line of dermatologist
and skin care professionals, has recently come out with a new product called
Blemish and Age Defense, a serum that combines 2% dioic acid with an alpha and
beta-hydroxy acid that helps prevent acne, reduces hyperpigmentation, fine
lines and wrinkles. I personally have had great results with a variety of SkinCeutical products and have recently fallen in love with the Phloretin CF
product. This serum is a broad-spectrum antioxidant treatment containing
phloretin, L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), and ferulic acid. It brightens, plumps,
and just makes my skin look fabulous!
Laser
and light therapy is an increasingly popular option and is backed by increasing
amounts of evidence to show that is a non-invasive, effective, option for
treating a wide variety of skin issues. In relation to acne, light therapy
consistent with 405-420 nm of Narrow Band UV free Blue Light is showing
reduction in inflammatory acne lesions in individuals. It works by destroying
the bacteria that is part of creating breakouts. You can read more in the Journal
of Cosmetic Laser Therapy and the Journal of Dermatological Treatment.
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