Adult Acne in Women

At Precision Skin Institute, a leader in dermatology in the Fort Lauderdale area, we see patients with all types of skin problems. One treatment for a common skin issue that we find our patients struggling with the most happens to be one you’d expect the least in adulthood.

In fact, many of the patients, who are desperate to treat adult acne, can’t believe they are reliving the skin problems of their youth. Adult acne is real, and can creep up when you least expect it. Finding an effective acne treatment becomes the ultimate obsession, as having acne causes stress and issues with self-confidence.

But more importantly, the question to ask is, is it normal for adults with acne to begin experiencing skin breakouts in their 30’s and 40’s?

More common in women than in men, adult acne can reappear at any age or continue from adolescence into adulthood. Even more surprising is that it is possible to get acne for the first time as an adult, which is what dermatologists call “adult-onset acne.”

So, what is causing the onset of acne in adults?

Unbalanced hormone levels

Hormone fluctuations tend to occur most in women:

• Around their periods
• During pregnancy, peri-menopause, and menopause
• While on birth control or after stopping birth control pills

Family History

You can thank mom or dad for this one, or even your siblings. If anyone in your close family experiences or is suffering from adult acne, it’s likely that you might, too. A predisposition to acne can mean you’re going to be looking for ways to treat adult acne, just like your brother or sister.

High Stress Levels

When we are stressed out, our bodies produce androgen hormones in mass amounts. When we find ourselves in more-stressful-than-usual times in our lives, our skin will literally show how stressed out we are. The hormones your body begins to over-produce stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin, causing the unsightly breakouts that, ironically, tend to cause even more stress.

Acne as a side effect

Different hair and skin care products or medications can make you break out, too. It’s important to look for non-comedogenic or oil-free hair and skincare products, to avoid your pores becoming clogged. If acne is a possible side-effect of a medication you’ve been prescribed, you may want to ask your doctor for an alternative, or if there isn’t one, visit a dermatologist to help maintain balance in your skin.

Speaking of visiting a dermatologist to treat acne, Precision Skin Institute has more than a few ways to help you get back to feeling fresh-faced and acne-free.

“A combination treatment of topical creams and medications, along with facials, chemical skin peels and laser procedures, can make all the difference when treating adult acne,” according to Dr. Marianna Blyumin-Karasik and Dr. Lesley Clark Loeser, the brains behind Precision Skin Institute.

Laser Treatments for Acne

Laser treatments using intense pulsed light (IPL) works by removing excess oil and dead skin cells from clogged pores. It is FDA-approved to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.

Facials and Chemical Peels for Acne

Mild acne can often be treated temporarily by a facial or chemical peel, while moderate to severe acne cannot. A facial or chemical peel can help treat the skin as it appears by unclogging pores, removing layers of dead skin cells, and exfoliating any blemishes that currently exist.

Topical Solutions for Acne

Precision Skin Institute offers numerous creams, lotions, and cleansers to help treat acne. To determine which one is right for you, please make an appointment for a consultation to determine the right course of action for your skin.

Prescription Medications for Acne

There are multiple options for your skin when it comes to treating your adult acne with medication, such as Doxycycline, Spironolactone, Orthotrycycline, and Isotretinoin, to name a few. A proper assessment of your skin and the severity of your acne must be determined by a medical professional before determining which medication would be best to treat your acne.

When it comes to your skin, we want to you feel your best and look your best while keeping your skin health a priority. Vision Precision Skin Institute today to treat your adult acne.

At Precision Skin Institute, healthy skin means a very healthy you.