14 Things You Should Know About Adult Acne
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Here are 14 things you should know to help you identify the causes of your flare-ups and ways to prevent them.
Women undergo sharp hormonal changes more often than men, so women are twice as likely as men to be afflicted with acne during adulthood.
Female acne can also be a symptom of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which is a disorder caused by hormonal imbalances; however, usually, these individuals are overweight, have fertility issues, do not have regular periods and grow excess hair in unwanted areas, such as the upper lip, chin and chest (more manly distribution of hair).
It is also interesting to know that although men are at a lower risk for adult acne, men are more prone than women to have more severe forms of acne because of the higher levels of testosterone naturally circulating within a man's body.
Recent studies have discovered a phenomenon labeled as 'smoker's acne'; the acne in smoking individuals is non-inflammatory (bumps with no swelling or redness), commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads.
Research shows that for people who had acne as teens, the probability of suffering from adult acne is four times higher in smokers than non-smokers.
It is a good idea to kick the habit, not only for health reasons, but also for the reason that smoking has long been associated with premature aging of the skin, wrinkles and a bad complexion.
Steer away from products with an oil-base which can block pores resulting in acne.
#4 Side effects of drugs
Since hormones are the main cause of acne and most acne cases are not drug-related, do not stop using your medications.
Phenobarbital (medication used for seizures), steroids (prescribed and illegal use in bodybuilding), lithium (medication for bipolar disorder), isoniazid and rifampin (medication used in tuberculosis), DHEA supplements (marketed as the extremely controversial anti-aging pill which causes serious side effects and has not been proven to work), hormone therapies and certain birth control treatments can cause or worsen acne.
#5 Your skin is what you eat
Although skepticism still exists in the dermatology community linking diet with acne, some people swear that certain foods cause them to break out.
With that said, if you notice something you eat causes you to break out in pimples, avoid the food; by the same token, there is no guarantee that avoidance will necessarily cure your acne, but it is worth a try.
-Dairy: Recent studies have shown that milk and dairy products may trigger acne.
Calcium is abundant in dairy products and is crucial for osteoporosis prevention.
-Chocolate: Some people experience pimples when they eat chocolate while it may not even faze others.
Although debate still exists in the scientific community around the notion that greasy and fatty foods worsen acne, many still carry the belief that it is definitely a contributor to acne.
Eating more fish may also pave the way for clearer skin as they are rich in omega 3-oils which is known to reduce inflammation.
It is best to get these nutrients by eating enriched foods; do not take supplements without consulting a medical professional as overdosing can occur.
Eating a diet rich in fiber, drinking water and maintaining an active lifestyle will help prevent constipation and may be just what you need to clear up your skin.
Stress causes acne by lowering our immune system's ability to heal and causing androgens and cortisol to be activated which are acne promoting hormones.
Adults with oilier skin are more prone to acne breakouts; also if acne runs in your family, chances are you will develop acne in your adult years.
#9 Climate
Does the weather affect acne? It is not hard to believe that hot and humid weather may cause more break-outs due to excess sweating; however, sweating alone does not clog pores, rather the mix of sweat with exposure to oils and polluted air provides a better environment for acne to erupt.
How about the cold weather? Winter tends to worsen acne since cold weather causes the skin to dry out and the pores to shrink, leading to more clogging of pores.
Just because the weather is cold, does not mean you should skip the sunscreen since the sun's rays are still strong and can penetrate even on a cloudy day or through the windshield while driving.
#10 Pressure and Friction
Adult acne can be caused by certain types of constant physical pressure to the skin, such as tucking a phone under the chin, or the friction from the straps of a backpack or purse.
#11 Dehydration
Not only does too much sun exposure and cold weather worsen acne by drying out the skin, but dehydration from lack of fluid intake can also cause breakouts.
Any caffeinated drinks, such as soda, tea and coffee, are dehydrating because they have diuretic properties (increase urination) so limit their intake.
#12 Dirt
Clogged pores cause acne.
Although, dirt itself does not cause acne, it is essential to maintain a daily hygienic skin regimen in order to remove dead cells, dirt and excess oils to prevent blockage of pores.
Dirty, oily hair touching your skin can also clog pores.
Sweating is a normal bodily function and does not directly cause acne; nonetheless, it is still recommended to pull your hair away from your face during exercise to avoid oils from your hair touching your face and wash away or towel off sweat when you finish working out.
In addition, studies have shown that sleep deprivation increases inflammation, thus exacerbating acne.
Achieving clear skin may be as simple as switching your facial cream to a complex problem that requires a specialist.
Remember sometimes, you might feel worse than your face actually looks and, without a doubt, you are your own worst enemy.
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