What is Adult Acne?

So you still have acne, or maybe it's come back all of a sudden. You might be asking 'What is Adult Acne?', well I'll tell you.

High school is long gone, and you're still fighting into what has become adult acne into your 20's, 30's, and beyond. Maybe you've been clear for quite a few years and it seems to have come back out of nowhere. You might be thinking, "What the heck? Why do I still have acne?

The Numbers

Relax, you're not the only one. About a 1/4 of all men and 1/2 of all women get acne sometime in their years as an adult. 1/3 of those affected also get it on their body. And apparently these numbers are on the rise (Source: International Journal of Cosmetic Science, June 2004, pages 129-138).

Take note, these are just the reported numbers. From what I have seen, pretty much everyone gets a pimple once in a while. But of course, adults can have acne that goes anywhere from a couple blackheads to many cysts.

I had acne all the way into my mid-twenties, and I'm pretty sure if I hadn't aggressively tried many different treatments, I would probably still have it. I had adult cystic acne, so my zits were very painful and embarrassing.

Psychological Factors

Each morning I'd go through my ritual of popping the ugly pimples before showing my face to the outside world. I'd then have to periodically check my face throughout the day, in the bathroom, to see if any new inflamed whiteheads had showed up. Talk about embarrassing!

Try as I might, I couldn't help but feel less confident due to my skin problems. The psychological effects of having adult acne can be just as bad or even worse than teenage acne.

Adults may be more subtle about their reaction to your appearance (they might not straight up call you "pizza face"), but they do form impressions in their mind, whether consciously or subconsciously. As far as first impressions go, looks are all most people have.

Differences

What is adult acne? Well for the most part it's the same acne you had as a teenager, and the causes are similar. Adults generally have fewer whiteheads and blackheads. For me, I had less blackheads and whiteheads but plenty of papules, pustules, and some nodules.

Some women get acne for the first time ever as an adult. Or, they get rid of it as a teenager and it comes roaring back in their 20's or 30's. This is called adult onset acne. This type of acne tends to be located on the lower part of a woman's face and is linked to the menstrual cycle. Find out more about the causes of female adult acne.

For men, adult male acne is less common but certainly still happens. I'm one to know.

Treating Adult Acne

Clearing adult acne is similar to treating acne in general. Depending on your severity, you could clear your skin by:

• natural products
• over the counter topical treatments
• prescription medications like Accutane
• oral contraceptives for women

There is no one best treatment for adult acne.

Caring for your skin is a good start.

It will be up to you to find your best solution, I only intend to be your guide. By following the advice I present, you can be on your way to healthy skin and say good-bye to adult acne forever!

Additional Resources for "What is Adult Acne?"

Symtoms Adult Acne - A common typo for symptoms. Learn what the symptoms of adult acne are. It may be obvious for some, but it can also be sometimes confused with acne rosacea.

Acne During Pregnancy Safe Treatment - What acne treatments are safe to take when pregnant?

Please visit NowAcneFree for more information on what is adult acne.

Return from What is Adult Acne? to Real Acne Treatment Home