Anyone who suffers from adult acne will agree that it can seem like a never ending battle trying to achieve clear skin. It can crush your confidence and really get you down, feeling like you have tried every acne treatment in the world just to find that nothing works. However acne is more prevalent than people think and is one of the most common body hang-ups that can affect anyone of any age.
A lack of understanding can be the root of most acne problems and by using the wrong acne treatments for the severity of your problem, is possible that you may aggravate the situation. Here I would like to provide you with enough information to increase your understanding of adult acne and enable you to identify an acne treatment that might be right for you.
Causes of acne
There is no single miracle explanation for why adult acne develops, indeed if there was, we might have the capacity to eradicate it once and for all. The problem is thought to often develop through hormone imbalances within the body and pores becoming blocked by the over-production of oils in the skin. Acne is a complex condition, yet it affects so many people. Myths like, 'too much chocolate will cause you spots', do not alleviate the confusion over causes and often mislead people as to why they really have acne. Diet should have no effect on whether you suffer from this problem or not, however a lot can be said for enjoying a healthy balanced diet with plenty of water, fruit and vegetables, as it can work wonders on the whole body and the benefits will definitely reflect in the skin.
Instead of focusing on the causes of this common skin problem, it is necessary to explain the varied acne skin treatments that are available in order to increase understanding.
Zap those zits!
Just as there is no single explanation for the cause of adult acne, there is also no easy answer with regards to a treatment for acne as it often depends on the severity of the problem, your age and other conditions you may have that affect the body. Here we will work through some of the more commonly known treatments, right through to the less well-publicised specialist treatments available.
o Topical treatments and creams
Most people cleanse their face with an anti-bacterial face wash and it is important to use oil-free, non-comedogenic products, as these will not block pores. There are hundreds of topical creams and treatments available from your GP or over the counter at the pharmacy, which are used after cleansing, several times a day. If your acne is mild, then some of these treatments may be appropriate as they often contain an active ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide, which is known to have calming effects on the odd spot and blemish. Severe adult acne will require a stronger treatment (read below). A bit of personal advice would be to leave the brands that are readily available off the shelves, well alone. Although affordable, these can be quite ineffective and generally are a waste of money. More non-descript brands without all the flashy gimmicks and packaging are available over the counter and can produce great results for mild cases of acne. Ask your pharmacist or GP for details and advice.
o Medical treatments and antibiotics
Another popular choice of acne treatment is a prescribed one, usually antibiotics. There are many brands available, all with medical-sounding names like Oxytetracycline, but don't worry, your GP will know which one to prescribe for your problem. People with very severe cases of adult acne may be prescribed Roaccutane, which can produce results within months. However it does not work for everyone and it is not without risks, so make sure you are well-informed and ask questions. It may also be worth asking your GP to refer you to a dermatologist who will have many years of experience in treating skin conditions.
o Other very effective, specialist acne treatments
Some people try all of the above only to find that nothing works for their skin and many bury their heads in the sand and hope the acne will just disappear on its own! Unfortunately, it will hang around, progressively getting worse if left untreated, and will ultimately leave your face with ugly, red scars.
There are many treatments available that are not that well known, but should be, as they can have dramatic effects on the skin, restoring it back to its natural beauty. Microdermabrasion, anti-bacterial skin peels and intense pulsed light therapy are just some of the best acne treatments available and can be much more effective than creams and pills.
These natural acne treatments stimulate healthy skin renewal and help prevent future occurrences.
As discussed above there is no 'right' answer to treat adult acne. If you want to get rid of your acne, it is wise to make an appointment with a specialist about it sooner rather than later to avoid scarring your skin. If you have been left with scars from a past bout of acne, there are acne scar treatments available too, something which is often overlooked by high street, commercial brands.
A lack of understanding can be the root of most acne problems and by using the wrong acne treatments for the severity of your problem, is possible that you may aggravate the situation. Here I would like to provide you with enough information to increase your understanding of adult acne and enable you to identify an acne treatment that might be right for you.
Causes of acne
There is no single miracle explanation for why adult acne develops, indeed if there was, we might have the capacity to eradicate it once and for all. The problem is thought to often develop through hormone imbalances within the body and pores becoming blocked by the over-production of oils in the skin. Acne is a complex condition, yet it affects so many people. Myths like, 'too much chocolate will cause you spots', do not alleviate the confusion over causes and often mislead people as to why they really have acne. Diet should have no effect on whether you suffer from this problem or not, however a lot can be said for enjoying a healthy balanced diet with plenty of water, fruit and vegetables, as it can work wonders on the whole body and the benefits will definitely reflect in the skin.
Instead of focusing on the causes of this common skin problem, it is necessary to explain the varied acne skin treatments that are available in order to increase understanding.
Zap those zits!
Just as there is no single explanation for the cause of adult acne, there is also no easy answer with regards to a treatment for acne as it often depends on the severity of the problem, your age and other conditions you may have that affect the body. Here we will work through some of the more commonly known treatments, right through to the less well-publicised specialist treatments available.
o Topical treatments and creams
Most people cleanse their face with an anti-bacterial face wash and it is important to use oil-free, non-comedogenic products, as these will not block pores. There are hundreds of topical creams and treatments available from your GP or over the counter at the pharmacy, which are used after cleansing, several times a day. If your acne is mild, then some of these treatments may be appropriate as they often contain an active ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide, which is known to have calming effects on the odd spot and blemish. Severe adult acne will require a stronger treatment (read below). A bit of personal advice would be to leave the brands that are readily available off the shelves, well alone. Although affordable, these can be quite ineffective and generally are a waste of money. More non-descript brands without all the flashy gimmicks and packaging are available over the counter and can produce great results for mild cases of acne. Ask your pharmacist or GP for details and advice.
o Medical treatments and antibiotics
Another popular choice of acne treatment is a prescribed one, usually antibiotics. There are many brands available, all with medical-sounding names like Oxytetracycline, but don't worry, your GP will know which one to prescribe for your problem. People with very severe cases of adult acne may be prescribed Roaccutane, which can produce results within months. However it does not work for everyone and it is not without risks, so make sure you are well-informed and ask questions. It may also be worth asking your GP to refer you to a dermatologist who will have many years of experience in treating skin conditions.
o Other very effective, specialist acne treatments
Some people try all of the above only to find that nothing works for their skin and many bury their heads in the sand and hope the acne will just disappear on its own! Unfortunately, it will hang around, progressively getting worse if left untreated, and will ultimately leave your face with ugly, red scars.
There are many treatments available that are not that well known, but should be, as they can have dramatic effects on the skin, restoring it back to its natural beauty. Microdermabrasion, anti-bacterial skin peels and intense pulsed light therapy are just some of the best acne treatments available and can be much more effective than creams and pills.
These natural acne treatments stimulate healthy skin renewal and help prevent future occurrences.
As discussed above there is no 'right' answer to treat adult acne. If you want to get rid of your acne, it is wise to make an appointment with a specialist about it sooner rather than later to avoid scarring your skin. If you have been left with scars from a past bout of acne, there are acne scar treatments available too, something which is often overlooked by high street, commercial brands.
By Peter Beard, non-surgical cosmetic expert and director of treatments at SkinGenesis (http://www.skingenesis.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=32)
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