Acne is a problem for both teens and adults that can be difficult to get under control. With all of the products available that promise to clear your skin for good, it is difficult to know which ones are right for your skin type and level of severity. Luckily Gene Rubinstein, M.D., a leading dermatologist at the Dermatology and Laser Centre of Studio City, has agreed to give advice on how acne affects different age groups and how to keep your skin clear at home.
Teens make up the largest group of acne sufferers with close to 80% of people between ages 12 to 17 reporting at least the occasional whitehead, blackhead or pimple. For many, acne is manageable through over-the-counter treatments but for some acne can be more serious. Almost half of adolescents in their mid-teens have acne severe enough to require some form of treatment by a physician.
Gender may also be a major factor on how acne will affect you. While young men are more likely to have more severe, long-lasting forms of acne, women more typically have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes and acne caused by cosmetics.
By adulthood, hormonally influenced acne is most persistent, beginning in the mid-twenties and lasting through a person’s thirties and forties. Adult acne can be caused by factors such as pregnancy, menopause or stopping the pill, and can result in further skin problems such as rosacea and perioral dermatitis which tend to form around the mouth and lower face.
No matter what your age, important basic guidelines can be followed to help prevent the growth and spreading of acne.
- Never pop, squeeze or pick at a breakout. Not only can this make acne worse by causing inflammation but it can lead to scarring as well.
- It is recommended to wash your face gently twice a day with mild soap or antibacterial cleanser and then to pat your face dry, not scrub. Vigorous washing can irritate the skin and make acne worse. Washing alone will not clear acne on its own, however.
- Check the ingredients of cosmetics to make sure that they are noncomedogenic.
- Avoid factors that will aggravate the skin such as oils, airborne grease, or irritating clothing.
- Always read the labels of any acne product you plan to use as some medications can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight and ultraviolet lights found in tanning booths.
- While it is important to always wear sunscreen, choose the brand carefully to make sure it will not clog your pores or choose one recommended by your dermatologist.
When at-home remedies and precautions do not seem strong enough to treat your acne, it may be time to seek the help of a qualified physician. A number of treatments are aimed at relieving all types of acne and your dermatologist can design a package that is specifically suited to you. Before beginning an aggressive acne treatment however, you should know a few things first:
- When beginning a new treatment or changing your treatment regimen acne, acne may flare up, or seem to get worse. It is important to stick with your new regimen during this time, which should be no longer than a month.
- Give the acne products enough time do their job. You can ask your dermatologist the expected time period a particular product needs before you start to see results. For most medications, this is usually between three to six months.
- The occasional breakout is still completely normal but there are injections and extractions that your dermatologist can perform to heal or remove blemishes.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
