Regardless of whether your high school years were positive or negative, most people are glad to leave teen acne behind in the past. Yet sometimes acne persists, or even begins later, after the age of 25. This is called adult or adult-onset acne.
The good news is that adult-onset acne can be treated. Finding the right combination of therapies can be a time-consuming process, so working with an experienced dermatology team like those at MD Vein & Skin Specialists can enhance your care.
Led by dermatologist and phlebologist Dr. Clement Banda, we find the root of your adult acne condition and the best ways to reduce its activity.
It starts with finding the root of your adult-onset acne problem. Today, we look at five common reasons behind adult acne.
Hormone levels are frequently a contributor to acne at any age. Given the increased hormone activity that women experience compared with men, it’s not surprising that the majority of adult-onset acne cases affect women.
Some of the hormone events connected with adult acne include:
Hormone replacement therapy may be part of your acne treatments, particularly after menopause.
Certain medications can cause or complicate acne symptoms as a side effect of their intended use. The most common offenders include some antiseizure drugs, corticosteroids, and lithium.
Though the nature of the connection isn’t clear, some foods are connected with more severe acne outbreaks. Nutritional shortfalls, such as zinc deficiency, may also play a role.
Clogged pores and oily skin provide the mechanism behind acne outbreaks. Using products for your skin and hair that contain oils may exacerbate your condition. Rule out these products by seeking formulas described as noncomedogenic on the packaging.
While stress doesn’t cause acne directly, it’s connected with the release of a chemical called cortisol in the bloodstream. While cortisol is beneficial in legitimate fight-or-flight stress responses, when it becomes chronic, it can exacerbate inflammation and acne activity.
There are health conditions that can resemble acne, like rosacea or keratosis pilaris, and others that cause acne as a side effect, such as Cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
An accurate diagnosis helps to make acne treatments effective. Contact MD Vein & Skin Specialists in Columbia, Maryland, online or by phone, to schedule your skin examination today.
