Causes of Adult Acne

Regardless of age, acne is a condition where the sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles produce an oily substance called sebum, then become plugged with sebum and dead cells, often including bacteria, and form a lesion. However, for adults who never had acne before, there can be new reasons as to why they develop adult acne.

Although the exact cause of adult acne is debatable, it is well known that hormonal fluctuations often trigger the onset or outbreaks of adult acne. Increased hormonal fluctuation is a reason many women suffering from adult acne notice a change in acne severity around the time of their menstrual cycle.

While hormones are a major contributor to the onset of adult acne, there are a numerous other reasons as well that contribute to adult acne. Listed below are eight major contributors to adult acne:

The Cause of Most Adult Acne is Poorly Understood

Dermatologists typically focus entirely on the skin when they talk about the causes of adult acne. They fixate on how dry cells mix with sebum, resulting in plugs or blockages of the pores. These blockages then lead to further sebum build-up, and bacterial infections often result.

Although this technical answer to adult acne is correct, it is not complete. Unfortunately failing to understand the deeper cause of adult acne tends to result in most cases of adult acne not being treated. Toxins and waste that build up inside the body and cannot be properly eliminated are the main cause of acne. When functioning properly the body “normally” expels toxins, through the liver, kidneys, colon, small intestine, and other organs.

When these organs are weak and unable to flush the toxins, or if the buildup is too great or too rapid, adult acne results.  The body must absolutely rid itself of these toxins and in a last ditch effort to cleanse itself; the body tries to flush the unwanted toxins out through the pores of the skin. The sores and blemishes that result are what we call acne.

Menstrual Cycles and Adult Acne

Adult acne in women will oftentimes revolve around their menstrual cycle; pimples will develop a few days before the onset of their period and may intensify during this time.

The reason for this is that a woman’s estrogen levels decrease while her progesterone levels increase, causing the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which often results in the onset of acne.

Pregnancies and Adult Acne

Pregnant women not only have enough to worry about when it comes to their pregnancy, they often have to dealing with acne too! Enormous hormonal changes occur during pregnancy and it’s very common for adult acne to present itself during a women’s pregnancy.

The first three months of pregnancy are often the worst time for acne, due to the fact that a women’s hormones are fluctuating all over the map at this time. Although acne usually decreases as the pregnancy progresses, it is possible for acne to last throughout the entire pregnancy and continue a woman breastfeeds.

Pre-pregnancy complexions usually return for most women soon after delivery or as breastfeeding slows and hormones return to normal levels.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Adult Acne

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, often referred to as Polycystic Ovarian Disease (POD), is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in women. The condition affects six to ten percent of all women — and most women are unaware that they even have the disease.

Irregular and absent menstruation are the most common sign of POD, however acne is almost always present when this condition exists. Women suffering from POD suffer substantial hormone imbalances and when left untreated adult acne often results.

Adult Acne during Menopause

You would think that menopause would signal the beginning of the end of adult acne for women, but menopause is another period in a women’s life when hormones change considerable. And with these hormonal changes adult acne often appears in postmenopausal women.

Although not common, experiencing acne during your 40’s, 50’s and elder years is possible. Adult acne at this stage of life is usually mild, less annoying, but sometimes still embarrassing.

Medications Impact on Adult Acne

Certain medications have been shown through research to cause acne. In cases of adult acne when medications are involved, it’s often anabolic steroids or medications containing lithium and iodine, isoniazid and rifampin, or anti-epileptic medications that are present in the patient.

Adult Acne and Chemicals

Over-exposure to certain halogenated industrial chemicals, like fluorine and chlorine, can create an acne-like eruption of blackheads, cysts, and pustules resulting in a skin disorder called chloracne. These toxic chemicals are fat-soluble and persist in body fat for very long periods following exposure.

Often treated with oral antibiotics, this condition is highly resistant to treatment and often last years or decades.

Physical Pressure and Frictions Impact on Adult Acne

Technically known as acne mechanica, this form of adult acne is caused or aggravated by heat, covered skin, constant pressure and repetitive friction against the skin. This form of acne is often seen on individuals that where helmets, tight clothing, or play musical instruments like the violin that is tucked under the chin for hours at a time.

For most sufferers of this condition, prevention is relatively easy. Switching to loose fitting, clean cotton cloths that help absorb perspiration and reduce friction of the skin helps considerably; showering immediately after athletic activities, and avoiding long periods of constant pressure against the skin further reduce the symptoms of this disease.

Although often thought of as a teenage dilemma, adult acne can be just as annoying and embarrassing if left untreated. As with most health related conditions, prevention is the best cure. A proper diet, paired with plenty of water and rest is a good start. Try to relieve stress, maintain proper skin care and hygiene, and you should be able to reduce the occurrence of your adult acne flare-ups.