When you think about acne, do you think about spotty teenagers with oily skin and greasy hair? Well you’d be right, because acne affects around 85% of teenagers, affecting more boys than girls. This is because acne is caused by the over-activity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oil onto the skin during puberty. During adolescence there is a sharp increase in the production of androgens in the body which stimulate the sebaceous glands. This is why teenagers are affected more by acne than adults.

Acne at any age can be extremly emotionally upsetting. Who wants to look in the mirror and see a spotty face looking back at them. For teenage acne sufferers this is a particulary vulnerable time when they are concerned with their appearance and how others perceive them. Having acne can be very embarrassing which can affect both self-confidence and self-esteem. This doesn’t mean to say that adults are not concerned about acne, but they are better able to deal with it. They probably laugh it off and say that they are turning into teenagers!

So why are adult acne treatments different from teenage acne treatments? To begin, the causes and symptoms of adult acne is different from teenage acne. Whilst teenagers suffer with a range of blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules, adults tend to suffer with more papules and cysts. Whilst teenage acne is mostly caused by the over-production of sebum, in adults there are different causes such as hormonal fluctuations, stress, coming off birth control pills and reactions to cosmetics. It’s for these reasons that adult acne affects more females than males. It’s not unusual for a woman to get spotty around the time of their periods, during pregnancy and during menopause. Another reason for acne in adult women may be polycystic ovary syndrome.

So what are the differences between adult acne and teenage acne treatments?

1.    Teenage skin is usually oily and acne products marketed towards teens contain ingredients that cause the skin to produce less oil. Unless you have very oily skin, adults should avoid teen marketed products as they can be too drying. You should look for brands that are aimed at the adult market.

2.Over-the-counter products are usually the same for both teenage acne and adult acne. A teenager, however, will probably be given a lower dosage of prescription-only medication than an adult.

3.    Oral contraceptives are sometimes prescribed to treat adult acne in women to help balance the hormonal fluctuations that cause acne around menstruation. Some women, especially if post-menopausal, are recommended Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) if they are also experiencing other symptoms.

Using prescription only or over-the-counter medication is the same treatment strategy whether you are a teenager or adult with acne.

If you want to know more about adult acne treatments or about acne scar remedies, please visit my Clear Skin Guide website.