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Adult Women And Acne

Acne is not restricted to any age group. Even adult women in their 40s can get acne, according to the American Dermatology. Adult women acne is caused by male hormones (which both males and females have) called androgens.

Adult acne and women over 30. What causes adult women acne?

40 to 50 percent of women over 20 suffer from the persistent pimples on the face, upper back and chest that are the primary symptoms of an adult women acne. These areas are susceptible because they have the highest concentrations of oil-producing sebaceous glands, which normally pump oil to the skin to keep it hydrated. In acne-prone people, however, pores get dogged (due to poor diet, stress, hormones and oil-laden skin-care products), and the oil backs up, bacteria targets those pores, and acne forms in women and men.

This process begins long before you notice that tiny lump forming under your skin. In healthy skin, dead skin cells are normally carried out through the pores (the ends of the hair follicles) by sebum - a waxy, oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that also serves as the skin's built-in moisturizer.

But for those who suffer from adult women acne, these cells dump together and get stuck in the pore along with the oil. And to make matters worse, this back-up attracts bacteria from the hair follicles (that absorb dirt and grease from the environment), which then multiplies within the pore.

If not treated in time, the adult acne will swell, become inflamed and possibly get infected.

Adult Acne And Women: Factors That Can Make Acne Worse.

- Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts

- Friction caused by leaning on or rubbing the skin

- Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity

Adult Women And Acne: Myths About the Causes of Acne

There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but foods seem to have little effect on the development and course of acne in most women. Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt. Finally, stress does not cause acne too.

Treatments for Hormonally Influenced Acne in Women

Clues that help the doctor determine whether acne in an adult woman is due to an excess of androgen hormones are hirsutism (excessive growth of hair in unusual places), premenstrual acne flares, irregular menstrual cycles, and elevated blood levels of certain androgens.

The doctor may prescribe one of several drugs to treat women with this type of acne. Low-dose estrogen birth control pills help suppress the androgen produced by the ovaries. Low-dose corticosteroids drugs, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, may suppress the androgen produced by the adrenal glands.

Finally, the doctor may prescribe an antiandrogen drug, such as spironolactone (Aldactone). This medicine reduces excessive oil production. Side effects of antiandrogen drugs may include irregular menstruation, tender breasts, headache, and fatigue.