March 16, 2011

The Best Treatment For Adult Acne Care

Do Adults Really Get Acne?

Despite the popular belief that acne is restricted to the adolescent years and only affects teenagers, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, acne is common in later life too and demand for adult acne treatment is on the increase. There is no need to feel embarrassment when seeking treatment for adult acne. Physicians deal with it every day and can offer good advice and effective treatments. 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.

The main causes of acne such as hormonal changes and possibly stress apply as much to adult acne as they do to adolescent acne. The use of cosmetic products is also implicated. One reason for the increase seen in adult acne may be that the specific bacterium involved (Propionibacterium acnes) is becoming resistant to common antibiotics.

Why Do More Women Suffer Acne?

Women undergo hormonal changes throughout their adult lives so it is unsurprising that adult women suffer around twice as much from acne as adult men do. Adult acne treatment may be sought by women during flare-ups which often occur during menstruation, pregnancy and in the menopause.

Treatment For Adult Acne

Adult acne care is really no different to that which is recommended earlier in life. The causes and symptoms are pretty much the same and the most effective treatment for adult acne is no different either. There are some additional risk factors to bear in mind, notably the constraints imposed by pregnancy and breast-feeding, wherein certain treatments must be avoided.

Medications based on benzoyl peroxide are likely to be the first products to try. These are generally effective 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.

Topical creams containing retinoids, such as Retinol, Tretinoin and Adapalene, have some anti-biotic effects, but in severe cases the use of a systemic antibiotic may be recommended. Your dermatologist or physician may be reluctant to prescribe antibiotics, the reason being that there is increasing evidence that the specific bacteria involved are becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment.

Preparations based on azelaic acid are effective as a treatment for adult acne when it is mild or moderate. Azelaic acid products include Acnederm, Azelex and Finacea and these typically have 20% concentration. They are less irritating than retinoids but they may affect skin pigmentation.

Hormone treatment has been found to be helpful for female sufferers. As the hormones present in some contraceptive products are effective in counteracting the male sex hormones responsible for acne, these may be prescribed even though their primary usage is for birth control. Obviously such treatment is not appropriate for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Avoiding The Scams

Home remedies and alternative medicines may also be worth considering. As ever, though, steer well clear of overpriced and unproven herbal preparations. Bear in mind that even well-established scams like homeopathy and acupuncture are entirely ineffective as a treatment for adult acne, despite their popular appeal.