Adult Acne: When Bad Skin Happens to Good People
Adult Acne: When Bad Skin Happens to Good People
There are a few things that we would all love to re-live from our younger years –
Half day’s at school, recess, and of course, dancing like a fly girl in the living room (ahhh, if only we all turned into J. Lo…). But one thing that we would all love to forget is teenage acne. If bad skin isn’t a thing of the past for you, don’t stress.
Adult acne is a common problem among women. There are several theories on what causes acne, what aggravates it, and of course, what cures it. Hundreds of research studies have been conducted on the subject and there is varying data. Although the exact cause of acne can vary amongst individuals, on a cellular level, typically acne is caused by a combination of inflammation, follicular obstruction, and accumulation of sebum. Sebum is produced from the sebaceous glands on the skin. It is an oily material that helps protect the outer layer and also gives skin its oily or waxy-looking appearance. Although somewhat protective, this material can also create a good environment for bacteria to grow, leaving skin congested. Congestion can then lead to whiteheads and blackheads that form large areas of acne. There is other physiology involved, but we all know how interested in detailed science most of you are!
What factors can trigger acne? Over treating you skin can do more harm than good. Using soaps, astringents, and harsh exfoliators can take sebum away from the skin’s surface and also cause trauma to the skin, which could lead to inflammation and worsening acne. Many people also dehydrate their “oily” skin, sometimes creating more breakouts and increasing inflammation. If you wash your face with a cleanser and your eyes are stinging like you just got sprayed with Mace, it’s probably too harsh for you.
Stress is a topic that really deserves its own article. Clinically, high stress has been linked to acne exacerbations and poor diet. If you’re under a lot of stress and getting very little sleep your skin may retaliate. Alleviate stress whenever you can, and recognize that when your stress calms down, your skin may also.
Your period might not be a question mark anymore, but if it’s accompanied by acne, it’s probably equally unwelcome. Acne flares (and sometimes temper flares) during the premenstrual time are common among women. If you struggle with this type of acne, you should speak to your doctor about options to regulate your hormones and improve your skin. In addition to treatment, be sure to try to avoid rubbing or picking at your skin, as scars can take several months to resolve. Clinically, darker scarring typically occurs in individuals with darker complexions.
Consider these other tips to help your skin look better:
Eat Well: Diet can make a bigger difference with your acne than you might imagine. “You are what you eat” is an old but unfortunately somewhat true statement. Some studies suggest that consumption of milk may play a role in acne exacerbations, but there have only been minimal randomized control trials to test this theory. Having said that, many women often note that decreasing their dairy intake has reduced their breakouts, so if you’re consuming a significant amount of milk and cheese, consider cutting back. Whether it’s chocolate, French fries, cheeseburgers, or peanut butter- there is no real data to support that a specific food causes acne, but if you know that your skin and Double Stuffed Oreo’s are frenemies, avoid the foods that make YOU breakout. Make sure you’re getting enough fruits, vegetables, protein, and fats (yes, fats) in your diet to keep your skin resilient and help it heal from acne. Also, remember to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated from within and cleanse your skin from the inside.
Less is More for Makeup: Often makeup is used to cover up bad skin but it may be causing your breakouts. Be sure to use foundation or powder that is oil free. Using a powder foundation can help your skin breathe while it’s healing from bouts of acne. Do your best to also maintain a cleansing routine to remove your makeup adequately. If you can make updating your Facebook status a priority, washing your face and removing your makeup should be right up there with it. Regardless of the method you use, try not to vigorously scrub your makeup off or use a cleanser that leaves your face parched.
Moisturize: Derek Zoolander wasn’t kidding when he said, “Moisture is the essence of beauty”. It is often thought that reducing the skin’s natural oils can help prevent acne. Unfortunately, severely dehydrated skin can actually create more breakouts. Depleting your skin of its natural oils with harsh cleansers and astringents can trigger your skin to create more oil and clog pores. Make an effort to use a moisturizer with SPF during the day under your makeup and a thicker cream at night after you’ve washed your face. Re-hydrating your skin, particularly overnight, can restore and repair acne blemishes and improve scarring and skin tone from post-acne changes. Many moisturizers contain Retinoids, which can help acne and also have been shown to help reduce the signs of aging. Before you begin using these types of products, consult a physician because these are not for everyone, and should not be used if you are pregnant, or have certain other conditions.
Ask for Help: If you have been struggling with your skin, talk to a doctor about your concerns. Millions of women suffer from acne. Whether you’re 14 or 40, acne can be very debilitating and take a serious toll on a person’s self-esteem. If you’ve tried several things and are still suffering, you may need a more detailed evaluation of your skin. You may even require prescription medication, or further hormonal evaluation. A doctor can provide you treatment tailored to your needs.