If you hoped that you would leave acne behind when you became an adult, you may find yourself disappointed. Changing hormones in your adult years can wreak havoc on your complexion just as they did when you were a teen. The most common culprits are androgens, or male hormones, found in both men and women. Fortunately, acne in adults responds to many of the same treatments as teenage acne.
Cause of Acne
When you have acne, your pores produce excessive oil. This oil becomes trapped in your pores, often by an excess of dead skin cells. This trapped oil becomes a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria that cause acne. As the bacteria grow, the pore becomes inflamed and occasionally even becomes infected.
Adult Men
Androgens, or male hormones, are more likely to cause an overproduction of oil than female hormones. Adult men are less likely to develop acne for the first time as adults, but more likely to continue to have acne if they had it as a teen. Teen males generally have worse acne than teen females. Shaving the face can sometimes exacerbate acne; if you have acne, shave gently and as infrequently as possible.
Adult Women
Adult women often find that outbreaks of acne coincide with the increase in hormones before their period begins. Hormonal changes from pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause and hormone supplements can all cause acne outbreaks in adult women. Oral contraceptives help some adult women, but not all, and contraceptive injections often make acne worse.
Acne as Warning
Acne can serve as a warning of a hormonal imbalance in women. If a woman develops acne along with a change in her menstrual cycle, hair growth patterns or a change in her voice, these changes could indicate polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or imbalances in the endocrine system. If you suddenly develop acne in concert with other symptoms, talk with your gynecologist.
Treatment
Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser, and use an over-the-counter product containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as needed and as directed to control acne. If over-the-counter treatments do not clear up acne, or if the acne causes large cysts, see a dermatologist. There are prescription medications, topical and oral, that can help clear up acne and minimize any potential scarring.
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