3 Causes of Adult Acne and Their Practical Remedies

Women are more prone to experience outbreaks of these unwanted red and white spots. Fortunately, many treatment options are available to help eliminate this frustrating skin problem. Read on to learn more about the causes of adult acne and how to remedy them.

The excess oil that causes adolescent acne can still cause breakouts well into your 30s and 40s. Often, excess oil is a result of fluctuating hormone levels. Many women experience acne when estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone and cortisol levels in their body change. The resulting increase in oil production leads to acne.

You can try different methods to decrease oil production that leads to acne. If over-the-counter cleansers and ointments with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide don't seem to make a difference, talk to your doctor about a prescription. He or she may recommend a stronger product or give you an oral antibiotic like isotretinoin. This retinoid drug reduces oil gland size to cut back on the amount of oil they produce.

Blue light therapy acts similarly to isotretinoin but without the common side effects of dry mouth and lips, nosebleeds, and thinning hair. This therapy helps reduce enlarged oil glands that work overtime to create excess oil.

Excess oil is not the only cause of acne later in life. Pores that restrict the release of your body's natural oil create ideal conditions for acne to form. Pores may become more narrow when dead skin cells remain in place and pile up. In this case, acne with a characteristic white or blackhead forms.

You may inadvertently cause clogged pores as you try to treat your acne. Attempts to remove dead skin cells and oil from skin pores work best with the right product usage. Check the label on all skincare products you use on your face and look for oil-free products that won’t clog pores. You can even read the ingredient list to see if oil is added.

Bacteria is present on the human body to perform a range of beneficial roles. Acne-causing bacteria, called Cutibacterium acnes, live within your skin's pores near each hair follicle. Unfortunately, sometimes bacteria infect cells around each pore and cause the inflammation which leads to acne.

Experts believe bacteria on some individuals are more likely to make you break out. Some people simply possess Cutibacterium acnes that convert skin oil into fatty acids that trigger inflammation. Normally, special enzymes interrupt this event, but certain fatty acids find a way to cause inflammation anyway.

Skin prone to acne and inflammation due to bacteria might benefit from a salicylic acid peel. In addition to exfoliating skin cells, a salicylic acid peel has anti-inflammatory effects that help cut down on acne breakouts.

You can try an over-the-counter peel yourself, or talk to a doctor for a stronger peel. Doctors that perform peels prepare your skin beforehand to enhance the effects. Additionally, medium and deep peels can also minimize scars on your skin. This feature is helpful if you have acne scars you want to erase.

Davis & Beyer Dental Health Professionals offers blue light therapy and salicylic acid peels for adult acne. Our professional team can help you minimize your unwanted skin flaws, so give us a call today to set up your appointment. We are excited to hear from you.