Acne in Adult Women

Due to the hormonal changes many teenagers do experience, they are more likely to develop acne. In fact, about 80% of all teenagers develop acne, but the disease may also start as late as age 25 or 30, particularly in women. Just when you thought your bad skin days were over, adult acne strikes. Just when you've successfully navigated the ravages of adolescence on your skin, you wake up and find acne. There are different causes of adult acne. The new trend in medical circles is to discuss acne as a hormonal imbalance. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or menstrual periods can cause or contribute to acne. Hormonal changes related to starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne. Adult acne is different from teenage acne and therefore your treatment approach should be different.

Boys have more severe acne and develop it more often than girls. Severe acne can cause scars which will never disappear.

All but the most severe grades of acne are controllable although not curable. The most severe type of acne consists of cysts and nodules. Vigorous treatment of more severe types of acne can help prevent facial scarring. Isotretinoin has become one of the most effective treatments available for patients with severe or cystic acne. There is a myriad of products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them don’t have any scientifically evidence proving their effect.

The primary products used to treat acne are a pharmaceutical grade glycolic acid solution and a topical antibiotic. By applying a chemical solution to the skin, known as a chemical peel, mild scarring and certain types of acne may be treated. Non-prescription drugs are available over the counter to treat mild forms of acne. Topical retinoids are used in the treatment of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. The cost and duration of acne treatment with topical applications and oral antibiotics make standard therapy far from ideal. Researchers have been studying the effects of specific peak wavelengths of light in the treatment of acne, with very successful results. These types of treatments are offered at different medical spas across North America.

Modern Acne Drugs
Benzoyl peroxide inhibits the bacteria that cause acne. As with other acne drugs, overexposure to extreme wind or cold or use of irritating skin care products may aggravate the skin. Isotretinoin has become one of the most effective treatments available for patients with severe or cystic acne. Most acne drugs only mask the symptoms of acne and do nothing to stop the real cause of acne. Today with proper treatment, acne can usually be controlled before it becomes totally unsightly.