But Acne Only Affects Adolescent Teenagers!
It may be a popular myth, and it's just not true. Acne is very common in adults, too. Many adults are affected by acne, and it is one of the most widely experienced dermatological complaints. It's a fact that around one quarter of adult men and as many as half of all adult women are likely to suffer acne at some time in their adulthood. So don't feel too embarrassed to go and see your doctor about it. Get the medical advice that you deserve, find the best adult acne products for you and start the treatment as soon as possible.
Hormonal changes and perhaps stress are thought to be the main causes of acne and these apply as much to adult acne as they do to adolescent acne. Adults who use a lot of cosmetic skin products (make-up) are statistically more likely to find themselves with an acne outbreak, although the exact reasons for this are not fully understood.
Why Are Women More Frequently Affected?
It is a biological fact that women undergo various hormonal changes throughout their adult lives. This is not the case with men, so that's why adult women suffer around twice as much from acne as adult men do. Adult acne products come in handy for women during flare-ups, these are most often triggered during menstruation, pregnancy and the menopause.
What's Special About Adult Acne Products?
Not much, really. That's a good point to address, because adult acne calls for much the same treatment as does acne experienced in the teenage years. Both the causes and symptoms of adult acne are similar to adolescent-onset acne. The most effective adult acne products are much the same too. However, some risk factors do differ. In particular, note the limitations on some treatments that are imposed by pregnancy and breast-feeding. Certain treatments must be avoided during these periods.
Dermatologists often recommend medications based on benzoyl peroxide as the front-line adult acne product. This is due to their proven effectiveness in reducing the severity of the outbreak and minimising the likelihood of scarring later. The lowest concentration products should be tried first as they are least irritating to the skin. Higher concentrations should only be used if the weaker products are found to be ineffective. Alternatively, you may be advised to try a retinoid cream like Retinol or Adapalene. Retinoid products also include Roaccutane (formerly called Accutane). Retinoids should never be used by women who are (or may be) pregnant.
Some people find that retinoids cause them unacceptable skin dryness or irritation. For these patients, an azelaic acid product may be more appropriate. Azelaic acid products include Acnederm, Azelex and Finacea. There are drawbacks for this class of treatments as well, so consult your physician for advice first.
As we have said, many more women than men suffer acne outbreaks. Interestingly, some end up being prescribed birth-control pills for their acne. This exploits the hormones present in contraceptive products because they are useful to help counteract the male sex hormones (androgens) that are blamed for acne. Clearly these products should never be prescribed for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
It may be a popular myth, and it's just not true. Acne is very common in adults, too. Many adults are affected by acne, and it is one of the most widely experienced dermatological complaints. It's a fact that around one quarter of adult men and as many as half of all adult women are likely to suffer acne at some time in their adulthood. So don't feel too embarrassed to go and see your doctor about it. Get the medical advice that you deserve, find the best adult acne products for you and start the treatment as soon as possible.
Hormonal changes and perhaps stress are thought to be the main causes of acne and these apply as much to adult acne as they do to adolescent acne. Adults who use a lot of cosmetic skin products (make-up) are statistically more likely to find themselves with an acne outbreak, although the exact reasons for this are not fully understood.
Why Are Women More Frequently Affected?
It is a biological fact that women undergo various hormonal changes throughout their adult lives. This is not the case with men, so that's why adult women suffer around twice as much from acne as adult men do. Adult acne products come in handy for women during flare-ups, these are most often triggered during menstruation, pregnancy and the menopause.
What's Special About Adult Acne Products?
Not much, really. That's a good point to address, because adult acne calls for much the same treatment as does acne experienced in the teenage years. Both the causes and symptoms of adult acne are similar to adolescent-onset acne. The most effective adult acne products are much the same too. However, some risk factors do differ. In particular, note the limitations on some treatments that are imposed by pregnancy and breast-feeding. Certain treatments must be avoided during these periods.
Dermatologists often recommend medications based on benzoyl peroxide as the front-line adult acne product. This is due to their proven effectiveness in reducing the severity of the outbreak and minimising the likelihood of scarring later. The lowest concentration products should be tried first as they are least irritating to the skin. Higher concentrations should only be used if the weaker products are found to be ineffective. Alternatively, you may be advised to try a retinoid cream like Retinol or Adapalene. Retinoid products also include Roaccutane (formerly called Accutane). Retinoids should never be used by women who are (or may be) pregnant.
Some people find that retinoids cause them unacceptable skin dryness or irritation. For these patients, an azelaic acid product may be more appropriate. Azelaic acid products include Acnederm, Azelex and Finacea. There are drawbacks for this class of treatments as well, so consult your physician for advice first.
As we have said, many more women than men suffer acne outbreaks. Interestingly, some end up being prescribed birth-control pills for their acne. This exploits the hormones present in contraceptive products because they are useful to help counteract the male sex hormones (androgens) that are blamed for acne. Clearly these products should never be prescribed for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
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