ADULT ACNE,
AN EPIDEMIC
Dermatologists are seeing daily evidence that acne no longer exclusively affects teenagers. While it has traditionally been seen as an awkward teenage “right of passage” along with questionable hair colours and fashion choices, acne now affects increasing numbers of adult women, including:
- Persistent acne they've had since adolescence
- A new breakout after a long period without spots
- Acne in women who never had it as teenagers (adult-onset acne). More than 1 in 4 women experience this!
Nowadays, 51% of women aged between 20 and 29 have adult acne, with 35% of those aged from 30 to 39, 26% of those aged from 40 to 49, and 15% of those aged over 50 years suffering from the condition . Adult acne is more common in women, but men can suffer from acne too.
In other words, adult acne is on the rise and if you’re still suffering from zits well beyond your teenage years, you’re certainly not alone. But don’t worry, help is at hand. Read on to find out how adult acne works and what to do about it!
SUN EXPOSURE CAN CAUSE ACNE –
WITH OVERNIGHT ACNE TREATMENTS
UV light is another little-known cause of acne (yes, a sunny day can have its downside!). In fact, one myth about spots that just won't die is that sunlight is acne-prone skin's saviour. Wrong! In the very short term, a tan can make your complexion look more even, but the sun's drying effect causes skin to rebound into "oil overdrive" after your holiday. The oil combined with a thickening of skin's top layer clogs pores and prevents sebum from escaping properly. For this reason, sun exposure can cause breakouts.
Sun is also a major cause of brown marks on the skin known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH: Inflamed skin produces brown melanin pigment in response to UV rays. The result? Brown pigmented marks on skin which only serve to remind you of blemishes gone-by ☹. And this can happen in both winter and summer.
The bottom line? Sun modifies skin's behaviour, making it an important acne cause. Read on to learn how to stop the sun from worsening blemishes and marks
POLLUTION RANKS HIGH
AMONG ACNE CAUSES
When asked “what causes acne?”, few people think of smog and exhaust fumes. But one of skin’s major city stresses is pollution. After more than 15 years’ research, La Roche-Posay has identified atmospheric pollution as a cause for breakouts, and particularly adult acne.
How does pollution cause acne?
Tiny dust particles known as PM 2.5 can squeeze through the skin's protective barrier and wreak havoc. Accompanied by ozone and other pollutants, they trigger a chain reaction that starts with oxidation of sebum at skin's surface. These pollutants change the composition of the sebum and also cause a deficiency of vitamins C and E, two of skin’s natural antioxidants. These attacks on skin’s protective layer of surface lipids (the skin barrier) cause pimples and oily skin problems in the form of excess shine, blocked pores, blackheads, uneven skin texture and dull complexion.
The bottom line? Pollution is one of the most important adult acne causes (and it can cause breakouts in teens too). Skin becomes oilier, blackheads look worse and new spots can crop up.
Click HERE for more information on the causes of acne.
Learn more about acne, stress and depression HERE.