Health & Fitness

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Q) I’m an adult now; why am I dealing with acne and what can I do about it?

A) Many of us associate acne as a condition of our teens and early 20s but it is an unfortunate fact of life that 10 to 20 per cent of adults in their 40s report problems with acne. 

Acne after the teenage years is either persistent acne (ie. a continuation from their adolescence) or late-onset acne. The majority of these are women, and there are several reasons why they may be more predisposed to this particular problem. 

One of these is the use of cosmetics which can clog the pores. Using powder formulations over cream-type ones and choosing oil-free make-up and sunscreens can help minimize this issue. 

Hormonal surges associated with the female menstrual cycle can also help explain why females are predominantly affected. Treatment should be based on the severity of the acne and the patient’s skin type. 

For most adults, the face should be washed twice a day with warm water and a gentle soap (such as Cetaphil). Hot water and hard scrubbing should be avoided. A cleanser containing ingredients such as salicylic acid or alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic or lactic acid) can be used daily or less often to clean out the pores. 

For those whose acne requires further intervention, benzoyl peroxide (available without a prescription) is a good first choice for those with a mild problem. People with dry skin types (which is more common in adults than teens) would be wise to choose a cream formulation, those with oily skin tend to do better with gels and normal skin with lotions. 

Your skin may get worse before it gets better and it may take up to two months to fully work so patience is definitely a requirement. 

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Sunday, September 04, 2011