Acne in men: Causes, treatment, and home remedies
It is common for men in their teenage years to be suffering from acne breakouts. However, at times, the problem might extend to a man's adult years as well. More than 10% of men above the age of 25 have regular acne breakouts. But the good news is that they are treatable. Here are causes, treatment, and home remedies for acne in adult men.
What is acne?
Acne occurs when your skin's oil glands produce excessive sebum or oil, thereby leading to formation of plugged pores. Although more common in teenagers, acne might also affect adults. The most common sites for acne are the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back.
What leads to acne in men?
Stress: Stress causes an increase in androgen hormone, thereby leading to overproduction of sebum, and an increase in the chances of acne breakout. Chemicals: Chemicals and toxins in skin-care products can irritate the skin and cause inflammation, thus leading to acne. Use of natural skin-care products is, therefore, recommended. Lifestyle: Alcohol, unhealthy eating, and prescription drugs can also cause acne in adult men.
Treatment methods for adult acne
Cleansing: Gently scrubbing with mild cleansers can help reduce irritation and reduce acne breakouts. Medicine: Certain antibiotics and medications containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or azelaic acid may also help treat acne. Laser & Light therapy: Laser and light therapy is also reportedly effective in targeting adult male acne. Note: Do not pick or squeeze acne sores, to avoid worsening the condition.
Home remedies to cure acne
Since medical treatment can be heavy on pocket and may bring undesirable side effects, you might want to consider certain at-home remedies to treat acne, if your condition isn't severe. Home remedies for acne are cheap, easily available, and come with zero side-effects. Some of the best home treatments include green tea face-pack, honey, mint face-pack, aloe vera gel, and lemon juice, among others.