Controlling Adult Acne
Attack of the 40 Year-Old Zit!
Controlling adult acne can be tough. My mid-life "attack" was really bad. I can’t even remember exactly when it happened. But sometime after the birth of my daughter, my face slowly began to breakout, and then almost overnight everything went “Ka-Blew-ee!”
Like most people I experienced acne breakouts as a teen, but nothing on the level of what I encountered as an adult. Having always had oily skin, I would frequently get mild breakouts in my T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) but never really any place else. However, as I got older my cheeks begin to breakout as well, I would even get them along my jaw line. And these were not your normal garden-variety “zits.” In addition to whiteheads and blackheads, I also got these big painful cysts that formed under my skin.
Trying to control adult acne proved to be a daily challenge. I tried everything, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur based treatments, hormonal creams you name it. The more I did, the worse it got. It had gotten to the point where I wouldn’t be caught dead without some type of heavy concealer on my face. Which did nothing but cover the marks and scars, the bumps and lumps were still clearly visible.Finally on the recommendation of a friend at my gym, I went to a place that specializes in skin and nails. After receiving my acne facial and spa treatment (which was awesome by the way) the aesthetician told me that I needed to stop manipulating my skin so much. In a desparate attempt at controlling my adult acne, I had gotten into a daily habit of squeezing my pimples, thinking that if I “cleaned” them out they would shrink and go away. Boy was I wrong; she told me that when you squeeze a pimple, it actually causes the bacteria to spread, making the condition worse.
She also told me to stick with just one type of cleanser; being a self-proclaimed product junkie I changed cleansers and moisturizers constantly. Sometimes using different ones throughout the day. She said that using too many different products on the skin can irritate it and also cause it to breakout.I also switched from using 10% benzoyl peroxide to 5%; in this case less was definitely more. There is a misconception that the stronger the medication the better, however, 10% benzoyl peroxide can irritate and overly dry the skin, making it more susceptible to breakouts. Trying to control my adult acne took some time, but my skin slowly began to clear, and within a few months my skin was virtually zit free! I still have some light scarring and discoloration (nothing that a little dermabrasion couldn't fix) But for now just a little cream to powder foundation does the trick.
Some of the Main Causes of a Post-Adolescent “Acne-Attack” are: Hormonal Imbalances
This can lead to an overproduction of sebum, which clogs up the pores, causing both blackheads and whiteheads. In most women this usually happens during or before their menstrual cycle.
However, estrogen and testosterone imbalances can be caused by several things, including stress, polycystic ovaries and prescription medications.
Birth Control
Sometimes birth control methods such as an IUD device or the taking of Depo Provera (I will tell you about my experience with this later) can lead to an outbreak of acne.
Vitamin Supplements
Certain types of Vitamin B supplements can also cause acne, as can some Vitamin-E-based face creams.
Possible Treatments to Controlling Adult Acne Include:The Pill
Birth control pills have shown to be been very effective in the prevention of acne breakouts.
Antibiotics
Although they have been proven to be very effective, there are problems associated with long-term use such as, yeast infections and the lowering of the body’s natural defenses. For these reasons, it’s not recommended that antibiotics be used for more than 3-6 months at a time.
Vitamin A Treatments
Vitamin A treatments like Retinol actually renew the skin, by allowing it to form collagen. This can help restore acne-scarred skin and give it a more youthful appearance.
There are many other types of skin conditions that are often mistaken for acne, such as peri-oral dermatitis, acne rosacea and keratosis. A dermatologist should be able to correctly identify the problem and suggest possible treatment options.
This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor or dermatologist if you have any specific questions or concerns.
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