Patricia Tyler





While it is true that acne most commonly appears during the
teenage years, it is just as true that a large percentage of
individuals suffer from adult acne. In fact, figures show that
as much as 25 percent of men and 50 percent of women in their
twenties up to their fifties still experience pimple flare-ups.
Adult acne can have just as much negative psychological effects
as adolescent acne - perhaps even more so. The stress of having
a career or raising a family is bad enough. Having to deal with
an unsightly skin problem at the same time would be even worse.







Adult acne can be caused by several things, one of which is
mental stress. The body can react to stress by increasing the
secretions of the skin's sebaceous glands or by releasing more
hormones from the adrenal glands. Oils from the sebaceous glands
can block pores, while a greater amount of hormones in the body
can cause hormonal imbalance - both of which can give rise to
acne flare-ups or exacerbate an existing acne condition.







It is not surprising that women suffer from adult acne more than
men do, since women are more prone to hormonal imbalance. It is
known that changes in hormone levels can occur during
menstruation and pregnancy. But men, too, are subject to
hormonal changes, though not to the extreme level that most
women undergo. In any case, hormones play a great role in the
occurrence of acne in adults.







Lifestyle and environmental factors also contribute
significantly to the emergence of adult acne. A diet that is
poor in the necessary vitamins and minerals can wreak havoc on
how the body's organs functions. The skin, being the largest
organ in the body, needs nutrients in order to work effectively.
If the skin is unable to metabolize or secrete the waste
products that it needs to because of poor nutrition, acne can
result. Habits such as smoking and drinking can also affect the
skin's condition and its resistance to diseases like adult acne.







What is the best way to deal with adult acne? Like many other
ailments, prevention is the key. Make sure that a proper diet is
being followed; get enough rest; try to find ways to alleviate
stress; maintain proper hygiene to prevent dust from
accumulating and blocking the pores. Washing the face once or
twice a day and using hypoallergenic or noncomedogenic cosmetics
and other personal care products can go a long way towards
preventing adult acne.







Treatment options abound for persons with adult acne, however
mild or severe their condition may be. Dermatologists may
recommend anti-acne medications to be taken in conjunction with
other skin care products. More severe cases - such as those
involving infection - can be treated with antibiotics to prevent
complications. Very severe cases of adult acne have several
therapeutic regimes, such as microdermabrasion and laser
surgery. A person suffering from adult acne, whatever the level
of severity, should consult a dermatologist or other qualified
professionals to get the treatment option that is the most
suitable for him or her.



About the author:


Patricia Tyler is the editor of href="http://www.acne-community.com">http://www.acne-community.co
m - the web site for learning more about and discussing
acne treatments and many other acne topics.





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