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Causes of Adult Acne

While acne is often associated with puberty and one’s teenage years, adults can also suffer from acne. It’s pretty common to have adult acne as research has shown that between 40-55% of adults ages 20-40 are diagnosed with low grade, persistent acne. In addition, roughly 54% of women over 25 experience facial acne. Some people who experience adult acne may not have even experienced it during adolescence. There are multiple reasons you may be experiencing adult acne. It’s important to find the root causes of adult acne to get proper treatment.

Causes of Adult Acne

The causes of adult acne for men are similar to the causes during puberty. However, it is much different for women. The myths that chocolate and greasy food can give your skin a flareup are likely not the cause of your acne. However, there are several causes of adult acne in women that can be treated and get your skin leveled out. Below are some of the most common causes of adult acne in women.

Stress:

Between family, friends, work, and everything else, stress can have a major impact on your mind, body, and even your skin. There is research that shows a causal relationship between stress and acne. This is because stress increases acne-causing hormones, stimulating your oil glands and hair follicles that contribute to acne.

Hormones:

Hormonal factors connected to estrogen and progesterone are common in female acne. This is because women experience hormonal changes during various stages of their life, including during pregnancy, menopause, and while starting, stopping, or taking birth control. These stages in life can cause acne to flare up both during and months after.

Medications:

Certain medications can cause acne or make your current acne worse. This is when you should consult with a dermatologist because they will be able to inform you if acne is a side effect of any of your current medications.

Beauty Products:

Certain skin and hair products can clog your pores and wreak havoc on your skin. Finding products that are oil-free, non-comedogenic, and non-acnegenic are important as they all help ensure that the product won’t clog your pores are create excessive sebum production. Sebum is the oil that is created by your pores, clogs them, and causes acne.

Medical Conditions:

Some medical conditions can cause acne in women. One of the most common is polycystic ovarian syndrome (often referred to as “PCOS”). A skilled dermatologist will conduct tests to see if an underlying medical condition causes your adult acne.

Genetics:

Like most medical conditions, family history can play a huge factor in whether you have adult acne. If you have a close relative that has adult acne, you are more likely to have it as well.

Treatment Options for Adult Acne

Because there are so many causes of adult acne, there isn’t just one answer to the issue. Issues with skin during adulthood need to be checked out by a dermatologist. A dermatologist can do a physical examination and discuss your medical history to find out why you may be experiencing acne. There are a variety of treatment options, including in-office treatments and prescriptions. To get started on the best acne treatment Tampa Bay Area has around, call us today.

Dermatology in Tampa, Florida

If you have adult acne and need to discuss treatment options with a dermatologist, contact Dr. Milan Lombardi at Lombardi Institute of Dermatology. As a top dermatologist in Tampa, Dr. Lombardi has been working with patients for years, helping them with various skin and dermatological issues. Dr. Lombardi and his team focus on addressing your concerns and providing you with the most effective treatment options. Contact Dr. Lombardi today for an appointment!