You look back at pictures from your teenage years, and you marvel at how tight and toned your skin was. You wish you could turn back the clock, but you’d also be turning that clock back to when acne was a major concern.
We’re sorry to report, though, that this common skin condition can still be a problem in adulthood.
As skin health experts, Dr. Bruce Saal and our team here at Los Gatos Dermatology, are all too familiar with acne, at any age. Below, we cover a few things we want you to know about adult acne and, more importantly, how we can help.
Acne at any age is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million people in any given year. While adolescents make up their fair share of this number, adults are included, too.
But unlike among adolescents, women are far more prone to acne in adulthood than men.
In fact, half of women in their 20s develop acne, as well as 33% of women in their 30s, and 25% of women in their 40s.
The main reason behind this gender disparity is the hormone fluctuations that women go through in adulthood, whether it’s with their menstrual cycles or before, during, and after pregnancy.
You develop acne when pores in your skin become clogged. This can happen quite frequently in adulthood thanks to makeup and skin care products. When you were a teen, you probably weren’t applying nearly as many products to your face as you do now, and these products can clog your pores.
Since more women wear makeup, this is another reason women are more prone to the skin condition in adulthood.
When you’re under stress, your body produces more androgens, which can lead to acne. And we’re sure we don’t have to tell you that stress levels in adulthood can be quite high.
Because acne is so common at any age, we certainly don’t lack solutions. If you’re troubled by adult acne, we urge you to come see us so we can explore the best treatment options for your needs and goals.
From prescription medications that include antibiotics, retinols, and topical acids to hormone therapies, we have you covered. And if acne has already left its mark, we also offer acne scar removal services.
To figure out which approach is best for your adult acne, please contact our office in Los Gatos, California, to schedule an appointment.
