Teen Acne vs. Adult Acne
May 30, 2017 12:10am
Many of us can probably relate to the awkward teenage years when in addition to our already complicated lives, we had to deal with oily skin & acne. Some were lucky enough to be spared the acne episode. For many, the problem settled down as they reached their 20s. And then there are those who started battling with acne once they reached adulthood.
Whether you get it in your teen years or adult years, one thing is certain – acne can have severe effects on our self-esteem.
The bacteria that cause acne are essentially the same. Nonetheless, there are some key differences between teen acne & adult acne which should be highlighted so we can tailor our remedies accordingly because what worked for teens may not work for adults.
Following is a look at the three categorical differences between teen and adult acne:
Teen Acne
Triggers
The hormone, androgen, plays a significant role in teen acne. High level of androgen activity increases for both boys and girls during puberty. This results in an increase sebum production. Add to that the activity of the bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes and you have acne. Once the dramatic hormonal changes of teen acne settle down, the breakouts eventually stop.
Family history also appears to be linked to teen acne. If your parents or one of your parents had it, then the likelihood of you getting it increases.
Location
Teen acne can generally occur all over the face. It may also occur in the chest and back.
Appearance
Whiteheads, blackheads and painful pimples.
Adult Acne
Although there is a lack of studies that have been conducted for adult acne, it is known that it occurs predominantly in women.
Triggers
Hormonal imbalance, lifestyle and environmental factors
Location
Adult acne generally appears in the cheeks and lower half of the face.
Appearance
For the most part, adult acne appears in the form of inflammatory lesions.
--
Despite the numerous studies on acne, a conclusive solution for it remains elusive. What is certain is that the psychological effect on people going through it is a troublesome one. The complexity of the disease compels us to customize our regimens. Although there are medications for acne, there is no guarantee of its effectiveness and many have strong side effects.
From a holistic perspective, there are simple steps that you can take to create a less-stressful living environment such as:
- Take out 5 minutes before starting your day with a breathing exercise. A simple practice of diaphragmatic breathing will do the trick. While taking a deep breath, observe your abdomen expanding and relaxing while breathing out.
- Consume fresh and healthy food
- Transform your skincare routine by using select organic and natural ingredients
- A regular exercise routine will be good for maintaining a hormone balance
- A good night’s sleep will also do wonders.
Although simple from the looks of it, these steps have great value in them and will surely result in a calmer state of being.
---
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Skin Dewi is not liable for the decisions you make based on this information.
References:
Profiling and Hormonal Therapy for Acne in Women. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3969667/
Khunger N1, Kumar C. A clinico-epidemiological study of adult acne: is it different from adolescent acne? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22565434
Acne. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072395/