Acne is not just for teenagers. Over 50% of adult women and 25% of adult men experience acne breakouts. Dermatologists have found an increase in the occurrence of adult acne and site stress, pollution and hormonal changes as we age as the main causes. Your skin is made up of three layers. It is your largest organ and is responsible for the protection of your body and to regulate heat and moisture. The epidermis is the part of the skin we can see and touch. It is comprised of scaly skin cells that slough off as new cells take their place. The dermis is where blood vessels, hair follicles and sebaceous glands (oil glands) reside. It also contains collagen and elastin which help your skin look and feel supple. The subcutaneous layer is mainly fat and collagen and acts as cushion to the dermis and epidermis.
It is in the dermis layer that acne begins. Old skin cells and excess sebum (oil) become trapped in your hair follicles. Propionibacterium acnes bacteria enter the picture and you have an acne breakout. Acne can be classified into mild, moderate and severe. Most people have mild to moderate acne which includes whiteheads; small white breakouts, pustules; pus filled pockets that appear on the skin, and papules; inflamed red bumps with no head. If you have severe acne you may have cystic nodules which are deep with the skin and can be very painful. Mild to moderate acne will usually clear up on its own with over the counter treatments, but severe acne needs a doctor’s care.
Never try to pop a pimple. This can spread bacteria causing more breakouts, scarring and damage blood vessels in you skin. If you can’t leave breakouts alone, be sure your hands are clean and try not to bother them too much. It is natural to want to mess with acne, but try not to and let it run its course. You can apply hot packs to your face to help speed up healing and use a very gentle hand when cleansing your face. Washing your face more often will only dry out your skin and you run the chance of spreading bacteria causing more breakouts.
Acne is not caused by what you eat. The main cause of adult acne is hormonal changes and stress. Women in childbearing years may get more breakouts related to their menstrual cycle. As a woman goes through menopause she may experience acne, even if she never had it before in her life. If you are going through a stressful time in your life, you may have breakouts. If you experience adult acne, consult with your doctor for over the counter recommendations, or if your doctor feels your acne is severe he or she may prescribe a topical medication such as Accutane to treat it. Acne is a common complaint and understanding what causes it can be your first step to acne treatment.
