Adult Acne, "Delayed Adolescents"

What happens and what can be done about it:

Acne is a common condition in adolescents, affecting around 40% of them, as a result of hormonal changes that occur in the body during puberty. It is common during this period, but there are cases where acne begins at a later age, after adolescence has ended, and individuals are considered adults.

Acne can start in adults in their thirties, even in females who did not have acne during their adolescence. Acne at this age can be distressing in terms of physical appearance for these adults. Treatments that worked during adolescence for acne may not work anymore, leading to questions about whether it is truly acne and why it is happening now.

Causes of adult acne.

Some adults may continue to have acne in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, and there is a possibility of experiencing acne for the first time in adulthood, without having it during adolescence. This is called adult-onset acne.

Women with oily faces and those with large pores are more predisposed to have acne in adulthood. Acne at this age generally starts and appears on the lower face and towards the neck in a U-shaped pattern, but cases in the T-zone of the face or forehead are not excluded.

Women are more likely to have acne in adulthood than men, and the reasons may include one or more of the following:

- Fluctuations in hormonal levels:

An imbalance in hormonal equilibrium can lead to hormonal imbalances.

Women often experience hormonal fluctuations,

• before the menstrual cycle,
• during pregnancy,
• around menopause,
• and during menopause.

- Stress:

Various studies have found a link between stress and the onset of acne in adulthood, considering the fact that after the age of 20, the level of stress we face increases due to finishing school, finding a job, facing life independently, etc. In response to stress, our body produces more androgens (precursors to male hormones). These hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin and those in the hair follicles to produce more oil, leading to the formation of acne. This explains why acne persists when we find ourselves constantly stressed.

- Family history:

If you have a blood-related person, such as a parent, sibling, or sister, who has acne or had acne in adulthood, according to various medical studies, you may have a genetic predisposition to develop acne in adulthood.

- Excessive use of cosmetic products for facial maintenance.

In adulthood, the use of products for facial skin care increases, and the indiscriminate use of these products without considering the advice of your dermatologist leads to an increase in the amount of oil in the skin and, as a result, to acne.

The products you use when your face is oily or tends to be oily should be labeled:

• Non-comedogenic
• Non-acnegenic
• Oil-free

Make sure that the products you use, such as moisturizers, facial cleansers, sunscreens, and all other products, have these terms written on their labels. Products with these labels cause fewer acne breakouts.

- Side effects of using various medications.

Acne can also result from the use of certain medications. If you suspect that a specific medication you are taking is worsening or causing acne, do not discontinue it, but talk to the doctor who recommended it to you for the problems you are experiencing. Your doctor will find a solution if the medication causes acne; then, they will prescribe a similar medication for the underlying condition without causing acne. If you cannot change this medication, seek a consultation with a dermatologist to help you control the acne that has appeared.

- Undiagnosed medical conditions.

Often, acne in adulthood is a sign of undiagnosed medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, androgen-producing tumors, etc. Addressing and curing the underlying disease also resolves and heals acne.

If acne begins in adulthood, consult a dermatologist to find its cause and treat it properly, diagnosing the possible cause of acne. Generally, this is a condition that is controlled and treated very well.