The majority of us suffer from acne during our adolescence and many people think of it as a condition which only affects teenagers. They might be surprised to know that increasingly acne sufferers can be found into middle age and beyond. In fact around 25% of men and 50% of women suffer from adult acne at any one time and the market for adult acne treatments has never been greater.

Acne Vulgaris or common acne is primarily caused by hormonal imbalances, hence its association with the onset of puberty. At this time the body massively increases the production of the male hormone Androgen in both males and females. These hormones over stimulate the Sebaceous Glands at the base of each hair follicle causing them to over produce a substance known as Sebum which in turn blocks the pores. Bacteria then feed upon this accumulation of Sebum leading to the creation of the red, pus filled, pimples we are all so familiar with.

This association of acne with hormonal changes is likely to be one of the main reasons that more adult women than men tend to suffer from adult acne. Many women will have noticed a tendency to suffer from pre-menstrual flares as hormonal changes in their bodies are reflected on their skin. An additional factor which will increase the number of women affected by adult acne are the effects of contraception. These essentially work by increasing the levels of male hormones in the woman’s body, which as we have seen is a major cause of acne.

Another factor which can increase the levels of testosterone in the body is the effect of stress. In stressful situations both males and females will produce Testosterone as part of the bodies natural ‘ fight or run away’ defense system. With the increase in women taking positions of responsibility in all aspects of society, the effects of stress have become an increasing problem.

Dietary factors also have a large part to play in the increase in the numbers suffering from adult acne. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and is a good indicator of the general health of that person. It is known that a diet high in sugar, salts and saturated fats is bad for skin health as are high intakes of alcohol and the effects of smoking.

Adult Acne or Rosacea?

A condition often confused with adult acne is Rosacea, sometimes confusingly known as Acne Rosacea. This is a swelling of the blood vessels just beneath the skin which causes the skin to appear red and is sometimes accompanied by pimples. It has no known cause or cure and appears to be a condition found almost exclusively amongst those of North West European descent where it is sometimes known as the ‘curse of the celts’.

Adult acne treatments are essentially the same as those intended for adolescents. There are many products available over the counter in the form of creams and washes, the most common ingredient of which is Benzoyl peroxide. This can be quite a harsh chemical for some skin types and can lead to excessive drying of the skin.  One of the newer acne products contains an active ingredient extracted from brown seaweed. This has similar abrasive and antibacteriological properties to the more traditional methods of acne treatment but is more moisturizing and kinder to the skin.

Some adults carry with them the evidence of acne in their younger years in the form of acne scars. This is a condition which a dermatologist will be very familiar with and for which they have developed very effective treatments. The affected skin will either be removed by means of a laser or a process of dermabrasion, both methods achieving a very high success rate.

With the use of acne creams and washes the effects of adult acne can be greatly reduced or even eliminated. By making a few lifestyle changes to your diet and exercise regime you can greatly aid this process. Women can consider changes to any methods of contraception they may use or change to a type which incorporates an acne treatment.

Investigate cosmetics which may be kinder to the skin and re-apply them regularly during the day after cleansing your skin. By taking a few active steps there is no reason why you cannot control or completely eliminate your adult acne.

If you are one of the large number of people suffering from this most common of skin conditions, acne help can be found from both the wide number of acne treatments available and from information you can gather to ensure you can manage your acne better.

Common acne or Acne Vulgaris is usually a problem associated with the mid to late teenage years due to chemical changes our bodies undergo during puberty. Acne is caused by the effects of the increased production of the male hormone, found in both males and females, Androgen.  Androgen causes the Sebaceous Glands, which surround the fine hair cells on the face, chest and neck, to over produce a substance known as Sebum. The Sebum is fed on by a bacteria which we all carry on the surface of our skin called Propionebacterium Acnes. The waste product produced by this feeding is a fatty deposit which inflames the tiny openings to the Sebaceous glands leading to the accumulation of Sebum, producing the characteristic raised, red, cysts we know as cystic acne or simply pimples.

If you have a mild acne problem the most common skin care products used in it’s treatment are creams and lotions. Creams containing Benzoyl Peroxide are the most common of these along with those based on Azelaic Acid. Both work by gently removing the top layers of skin, clearing the blocked Sebaccious Glands of accumulated Sebum and dirt, and removing the majority of ProB Acnes from the surrounding area. Whilst not an acne cure they are one of the easiest and widely available treatments available and help the majority of sufferers to keep their condition under control.

Seeking Professional Acne Help

If you suffer from adult acne  you should visit your doctor for professional acne help. Your doctor or dermatologist will often choose to treat you with a course of antibiotics. These will vary in strength according to the severity of your condition and can be orally administered or taken in a form added to your Benzoyl Peroxide based cream. If you are a woman you can be prescribed a contraceptive pill which contains an anti Androgen and this may help if your acne is affected by your menstrual cycle.

In the most severe acne a drug known as Isotretinoin can be prescribed. This is a powerful drug which will be carefully monitored by your doctor or dermatologist as it can have serious side effects and should never be taken by women who are, or who are considering, becoming pregnant due to the high possibility of birth defects occuring. Although a more extreme form of acne skin care, Isotretinoin can have the most remarkable results of all acne products, indeed it has been known to cure acne.

Acne Help With Light Therapy & Diet

Your dermatologist may feel that you would benefit from a course of light treatment and may work with you to produce a diet plan and good skin cleaning regeme which will give you the best chance reaching your clear skin goal. A dermatologist will also be able to help if you suffer from acne scars either by dermabrasion or laser treatment.

Most people at some point in their lives wonder how to get acne help and the good news is that with the wide range of products and procedures now available the effects of this potentially socially inhibitive condition can be greatly reduced.

Acne Creams are the most common product used for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of acne. Widely available over the counter or on prescription through your doctor or dermatologist, acne cream is an important part of your skin care regime when you are suffering from this skin condition.

With around eighty five percent of Americans suffering from Acne at some stage in their life, typically in the mid to late teenage years, it is therefore no surprise that there are many products available for acne treatment.

Acne is caused by an inflammation of the Sebaceous glands which surround the small hair follicles found on the face, chest and back. During puberty the body increases the production of the male sex hormones known as androgens in both males and females. This flood of androgens into the body causes the sebaceous glands to overproduce a substance known as Sebum.

The overproduction of Sebum causes the opening to the Sebaceous gland to contract allowing the Sebum to accumulate. A bacteria we all carry on our skin called Proionebacterium Acnes feeds apon the accumulated Sebum, producing a fatty waste deposit  which irritates the surrounding skin, producing the lesions we know as acne or pimples.

Acne products contain ingredients which aim to control the production of Sebum thereby keeping the pores clear and reducing the effects of bacteria action. Because they are applied directly to the affected skin, ie topically, acne creams can be highly effective in removing or severely limiting the amount of bacteria found in that area.

Active Acne Creams Ingredients.

The most common ingredient found in a lot of acne creams is Benzoyl Peroxide. Benzoyl Peroxide has been used for decades in the treatment of acne and works by gently abraiding the skin, re-opening the Sebacious glands and removing the build up of Sebum which is the main cause of acne.

Other products used in the treatment of acne contain Azelaic acid and Salicylic acid which work in a similar way to Benzoyl Peroxide. Whilst effective, both of these ingredients have some side effects, the most obvious being excessive drying of the skin if used frequently.

For this reason it is best to use in conjunction with a good, non oily, moisturizer often incorporating a degree of sun protection as further protection for your abraided skin, especially if you have a skin type which is susceptable to sun burn. A non-medical side effect of acne creams based on Benzoyl peroxide concerns the possible bleaching effect of the peroxide on clothing or other materials.

There are increasing numbers of Homeopathic medicines and creams available for the treatment of a wide variety of medical complaints, including acne. Perhaps the most common amongst these are those which contain Tea Tree Oil which in addition to being deep cleansing help to moisturize the skin and keep any harmful drying to a minimum.Abrasive Acne Creams

Some people may need treatment to remove acne scars. A doctor or dermatologist will know the most effective ways how to remove these but if you prefer a home remedy there are many dermabrasive creams and lotions available which will gently remove minor scars and pigmentation from the affected skin.

The widespread availability of effective acne creams should enable the symptoms to be controlled in most cases. If your skin does not respond to these acne creams sufficiently enough your dermatologist or doctor will be able to recommend a more powerful, drug based course of action.

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