Adult Acne: Confidence and Complexion

You are not alone

The word “acne” is synonymous with our teenage years, but unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to leave those pesky pimples behind in their adolescence. If you suffer from adult acne, you are not alone. Studies show that a large number of adults (approximately 30% of women and 20% of men) struggle with adult acne, i.e. acne that either develops or continues after age 25. While male patients suffer from acne in their teens more frequently, adult women are more likely to endure breakouts beyond their teenage years due to hormonal fluctuations.

Acne is painful and not pretty, but its effects go beyond the surface level. Research published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that patients with acne had an increased risk of developing depression. This is not surprising. At the end of the day, our confidence is highly correlated with our complexion. Please remember you are not alone, and Dermatology Consultants is here to accompany patients of all ages, ethnicities and genders on the journey to clear skin. At Dermatology Consultants, where health meets beauty, we are dedicated to helping patients look and feel their very best.

Evaluation is the first step

Everyone’s skin is different and therefore there is no “one size fits all” solution for getting your skin back on track. We take a combination approach for addressing your acne. To determine the most effective treatment for each patient, we begin with an in-depth evaluation. This evaluation will include recording your history of medical challenges, symptoms of hormonal imbalances, endocrine issues, lifestyle choices (i.e. diet), exercise habits, and existing skincare routine. Your physician will also perform a physical exam, as different variants of acne will require different treatments. Adult acne is complex, so Dermatology Consultants treats each patient with the utmost care, providing individualized plans catered to their needs.

Combatting acne from all angles

Our combination approach to controlling your acne will likely include a prescription regimen of some kind: high-quality cleansers, moisturizers, oral antibiotics, topical treatments and most importantly, sunscreen. We understand that prescription medications are not the solution for every patient, therefore we also offer numerous non-prescription medications (topicals, pads, etc.) and in-office services. Some of our go-to facial treatments include: chemical peels to help unclog pores and decongest the skin, facials tailored to your skin type, and BBL laser procedures to target inflammatory papules and dark spots left behind from acne. These treatments are also a great compliment to any prescription regimen.

Steps for continued clear skin

Once we are able to get your breakouts under control, our physicians can help to address acne scarring and ensure continued clear skin. Often tweaks will made to your routine to ensure long-term outcomes and compliance. Other helpful tips for maintaining clear skin include:

• Applying topical medications to the whole face, rather than just acne bumps.
• Washing any acne prone skin twice a day, or after sweating.
• Change out pillow-cases often, and clean any objects that may touch your face regularly, like a phone screen.
• Avoiding picking at your skin. Although it is tempting to squeeze and scratch at existing breakouts, it can in fact slow the healing process and lead to further scarring.
• Giving topical treatments the time to work. Using a new product every few days may seem like a good approach, but that can actually worsen acne and cause new breakouts. Give a new product at least 4 weeks to decide if they’re working for you.

We know that adult acne can feel hopeless, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. With Dermatology Consultants’ expertise and cutting-edge treatments, we can help you combat virtually any case of acne. Make an appointment today with one of our board-certified dermatologists and let us partner with you on the path to clear skin.