Poor diet, stress, hormones or maybe improper skin care? Adult acne is a persistent problem which affects women more often than men. Unfortunately, fighting it is quite a long process.
It may seem that acne affects only teenagers. Nothing could be further from the truth – many adults in their 30’s or even 40’s struggle with acne! Such skin changes deprive of self-confidence, cause complexes and cause frustration, which further reflects not only on personal life, but often also on professional life.
The first thing to do is to look for the cause of such a state. It turns out that sometimes we simply have such a genetic condition or hormonal imbalance. Then it is necessary to carry out gynecological or endocrinological tests to exclude possible problems with sex hormones or thyroid gland that could contribute to skin lesions. It is worth noting that women also struggle with skin problems after discontinuing contraceptive drugs.
Hormones often cause excessive production of sebum, which in turn leads to clogged pores and the formation of pimples. Stress and too intensive lifestyle also play an important role (cortisol stimulates the activity of sebaceous glands), as well as improper diet, especially highly processed products or products intolerated by the body (for example lactose or gluten) and stimulants such as cigarettes.
Face care is also important – inaccurate cleansing of the face or even neglect of it (especially by men) and use of cosmetics not suitable for the skin type – overloading or drying it out can be the cause of acne. Additionally, using strong makeup on a daily basis and improper washing of it have an influence on skin condition.
Adult acne is usually concentrated on the lower part of the face – jaw, chin or cheeks. In order to eliminate these changes, it is necessary, first of all, to recognize their cause.
If we see it in our diet, we should change the way we eat (eat a lot of vegetables, fresh fruit, avoid fats, sweets and salt). If you suspect stress, try to reduce it.
Diet and lifestyle have a great influence on our body and appearance. It is necessary to maintain a healthy balance in these areas, supplementation with B vitamins, biotin, zinc, selenium and copper is recommended.
One should also be patient. Acne in adults is usually chronic and although milder than in teenagers, it is more difficult to get rid of.
Face care is also of great importance. It is necessary to carefully cleanse it with mild, water-based products and use dedicated cosmetics, moisturize the skin with non-comedogenic creams (that do not clog pores) and exfoliate, but not with scrubs with particles that could spread bacteria all over the face. It is important to be systematic and regular. You cannot make any concessions here.
Dermatologists may also prescribe topical gels or creams that contain antibiotics, retinoids or azelaic acid in their composition. The ultimate solution, however, is the use of isotretinoin, a strong derivative of vitamin A. This treatment, however, is associated with many risks (including hair loss, liver damage) and therefore must be carried out under strict medical supervision.
Importantly, an absolute contraindication for the treatment is also pregnancy, and it should be noted that such treatment lasts up to six months. This is important for women who plan to expand their family in the near future or are already expecting a child.
Read also: Acne map – check what pimples on different parts of the body can indicate
Main photo: Romario Ien/ adobestock.com
