What causes adult acne, and how to deal with it
It is common to suffer from acne breakouts during teenage. However, at times, the problem might extend to your adult years as well. More than 10% of men above the age of 25 have regular acne breakouts. The good news, though, is that they are treatable. Here are causes, treatment, prevention tips, and home remedies for adult acne.
Firstly, what is acne?
Acne occurs when your skin's oil glands produce excessive sebum/oil, thereby leading to formation of plugged pores. Although more common in teenagers, acne might also affect some adults. The most common sites for acne are the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back.
What triggers acne in adults?
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 and make-up can irritate 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 adults.
Potential treatment methods for adult acne
Cleansing: Gently scrubbing skin with mild cleansers can help reduce irritation and 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 considered effective in targeting acne in adults. Note: Don't pick or squeeze acne sores, to avoid worsening the condition.
Be patient, acne treatment takes time
Do mind that these treatment methods can take a long time to bring results, sometimes up to as many as eight weeks. So, don't expect quick magic- there's no such thing in medicine. However, if you don't see any improvement whatsoever, see your doctor.
Simple 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.
Here are some general tips to improve your skin health
Follow these simple tips to improve your skin health: 1) Eat a healthy and balanced diet. 2) Reduce your stress levels. 3) Get 7-9 hours of sound sleep each night. 4) Avoid overexposure to sun. 5) Don't excessively wash your skin to avoid drying it out. 6) Don't use a lot of cosmetics. 7) Never sleep with make-up on. 8) Always stay hydrated.
