ADULT ACNE TREATMENTS

People tend to think that wrinkles and acne are mutually exclusive skin problems, and acne is resolved long before wrinkles appear. Just not true! Sadly, adults who never experienced or have successfully conquered adolescent acne often wake up one day to discover spots. The culprits, hormones, follicles clogged with dead skin and oil, are the same, and squeezing may seem like an immediate answer to the problem. However, it can often just spread the bacteria and rupture the delicate tissue, making the outbreak worse and even result in scarring.

Home Treatments and Remedies

Homemade and over-the-counter remedies abound, but you may spend as much money on these remedies as you would on a visit to your dermatologist. They will diagnose exactly your type of skin and what kind of acne you are dealing with. Often there are samples you may try to determine which works best.

Lotions and Sunscreens

One simple rule though is to use oil-free, non-comedogenic lotions or sunscreens and to cleanse your face twice daily with a simple pH-balanced face wash. Many women experience the onset of adult acne because they substitute just washing the face with water or applying face cream, for thorough cleansing. This attempt to prevent skin dryness backfires since it just doesn't remove the bacteria and oil from the face. There are many products on the market that will cleanse the skin thoroughly without drying it.

Retinoic Acid and Vitamin A

In addition to cleansing, topical treatments may be in order to resolve the problem. Retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A, has revolutionized acne treatment. It can cause dryness, and sun must be avoided when using retinoic acid, but a newer, slow-release formulation of this medicine greatly reduces the irritation it can cause.

Azelaic acid cream, Alpha-hydroxyl acids, Benzoyl peroxide and Topical antibiotics

Other acne treatments are tailor-made to the specific form of acne and may also be used in combination, to achieve the best results. These may be prescription or over the counter formulas, and include Azelaic acid cream, alpha-hydroxyl acids, benzoyl peroxide, and topical antibiotics. Your dermatologist may prescribe oral antibiotics for a short term only as prolonged use can lead to antibiotic resistance. All forms of antibiotics make the skin hypersensitive to the sun so remember to use a water-based sunscreen.

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills often have the side effect of clearing up acne for some women and Accutane or Sotret may be prescribed for severe acne. Finally, adequate diet and vitamin supplements coupled with drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily is the best long term approach to acne and other adult health problems.