We think of acne as a teenager’s problem; and in fact, it does affect teenagers more than anyone else. Unfortunately, 25% of adult men and 50% of adult women also suffer from acne well past the teenage years. Adult men are primarily affected by acne on the chest and back; adult women continue to suffer primarily facial acne, but may also get chest and back acne, to a lesser degree than most men.
If we think acne in our teenage years is embarrassing, it’s probably more so in our adult years, when most people don’t expect to continue to suffer from acne. Back and chest acne in adults can be quite severe, and adult acne difficult to treat.
In women, hormones may play a role in adult acne breakouts. Many women notice an eruption of acne at certain points in their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy or when starting or stopping birth control pills. Some adults with hormonal imbalances caused by other diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, may have problems with acne. Generally, however, adult acne is not caused by hormones.
Other factors that may cause adult acne include poor nutrition, improper skin care, bacteria, and stress.
Poor nutrition: Adults suffering from acne need to evaluate their diet and make adjustments to attempt to alleviate the problem. Caffeine may play a major factor – it’s known to have diuretic effects and may cause dehydration. The skin needs fluids to maintain proper balance. Excessive intake of diuretics, whether natural diuretics such as coffee, tea and chocolate or medications that may have a diuretic effect, will impact the balance of necessary fluids and affect skin health.
Improper skin care: Even adults may become relaxed about proper skin care, especially in areas that are generally covered by clothing – and they may forget that clothing may be a contributing factor. Adults also forget that their skin is different than a teenager’s and yet they attempt to treat acne in the same way they did as a teenager. Adult acne treatments are different because your skin is different.
Bacteria: If your skin condition is incorrigible to self treatment, you may need to see a dermatologist to determine if the acne is caused by bacteria. Bacteria lives all around us and in us but sometimes it flares to unhealthy – and unmanageable – levels in our body and on our skin. Remember that your skin is an organ and may require medical management, just as you would see a doctor if you had a bacteria causing problems in one of your other organs.
Stress: It is probably unrealistic to say “stop being stressed!” However, try to determine if outbreaks of acne are related to increased stress – or poor nutrition caused by stress. Constant stress that may be the cause of acne ought to be addressed and alleviated, for overall physical and mental health, not just to treat adult acne!
Adult Acne Treatment
The first step is to see if you can determine what may be causing your acne outbreaks and then modify behavior accordingly. Obviously, for women, if acne outbreaks are related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy or birth control pills, there isn’t much you can do to actually prevent the outbreaks. There are, however, things that can be done to mitigate the severity of outbreaks.
- Pay attention to the amount of water you drink every day. You only get to count water! Coffee, tea, soft drinks, flavored drinks – don’t count. There’s nothing better for you than just plain water. Add some lemon to it for a little flavor, but try and drink more water. If you are taking diuretic medication, talk with the prescribing physician, but in most cases you are still expected to take in plenty of water, even when taking diuretics.
- Watch what you eat. Avoid caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates, as well as processed foods. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Vegetables are best for you when they are raw or just lightly steamed.
- Do your best to banish blackheads before they become inflamed and break out as full-blown acne. In addition to thorough daily cleansing, two to three times a week, use an exfoliating scrub in the shower, such as a loofah, and a salicylic acid cleanser or alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliant. Don’t go crazy – gentle scrubbing is all you need, and consistent application. These chemical products work better to clean out pores than most scrubs. Ask for someone in your home to assist you if you have back acne that you can’t reach with a long-handle scrubbie.
- Moisturizer is not bad for acne, but be careful what kind you use. Try non-acnegenic or oil-free moisturizers and apply after bathing or showering.
- If you are experiencing severe back and chest acne, consider changing your laundry routine. Your skin may be irritated by the soap you use, or by inadequate rinsing. Try a gentler laundry soap and run an extra rinse cycle.
- Speaking of clothing – if you work out, try buying workout clothes that have a wicking effect and draw the moisture away from your skin as you work out. This may help reduce breakouts. Wash after every workout and wash all your other clothes frequently, as well. You want what touches your skin to be clean, and as dry as possible.
Home remedies, better nutrition, and proper hygiene may go a long way cure or alleviate adult acne, but when all else fails, don’t hesitate to go to the doctor.
