Many people believe that those who experience acne are typically teenagers, but in reality, pimples and acne breakouts can occur at any age. Everything from excessive oil production to bacterial inflammation and clogged pores can cause acne at any age. Knowing and understanding the causes of acne can help prevent it from developing or worsening at any age. Whether you’re a teenager or in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or older, we’re here to help you manage your acne and prevent future breakouts.
We have compiled some of our best tips for managing acne at every age and take pride in being the best acne dermatologist in Philadelphia.
Why is Managing Acne Important?
Untreated acne can negatively impact your physical appearance and emotional health. If left untreated, severe acne can leave scars on your skin and sometimes cause discoloration on the skin’s surface. When pimples become inflamed, they can leave pigmentation and scars on the skin.
In addition to having physical effects, severe acne can hurt our mental health. Acne can affect body image and lead to self-esteem issues.
Acne can occur at any stage in life, and there are many reasons it can occur among older adults. Similar to how there are different causes of acne, other treatment methods are more effective at varying stages in life.
Teenagers
Managing acne for teenagers is vital to prevent the possibility of developing life-long acne scars. Several at-home things can be done to help manage and treat acne as a teenager, including the following:
- Wash your face twice every day and after excessive sweating, using a non-abrasive cleanser with acne fighting ingredients.
- Follow a skincare regimen best for your skin, including regiments that target oily, dry, or combination skin.
- Shampoo regularly to prevent grease from your hair, causing acne on the forehead.
- Stick to the treatment because skipping days or avoiding therapy for several days can allow acne to develop.
- Avoid touching your face throughout the day.
- Reduce exposure to the sun and tanning beds, which can worsen acne.
- Avoid medications that may trigger acne by speaking with your doctor about your concerns when prescribing new medications.
If these options don’t work, it is best to speak with a dermatologist to develop a personalized treatment based on your lifestyle and the root cause of the acne.
Adults
Treating acne as an adult is similar to that of a teenager, and it is recommended that you follow the above-listed steps for managing acne. However, as we get older, some changes to our body may cause us to change how we manage acne.
For example, in your 20s, your hormones are fluctuating, which may increase the risk of developing breakouts. At this age, it is vital to wash your face at least twice a day, use lightweight sunscreen, and avoid the temptation to pop or squeeze pimples as this may lead to scarring . In your 30s and 40s, you may experience an increase in oil production from the sebaceous glands caused by changing hormone levels. It is best to talk to your doctor about how hormonal changes can impact your skin.
Acne myths
Growing up, you have probably heard various things about the cause and treatment of acne, many of which are false. Here are some of the most commonly shared acne myths:
- Only teenagers can get acne
- Dirt causes acne
- Popping pimples makes them go away faster
- Tanning helps clear up acne
- Acne will clear up on its own
If you are struggling with acne, try using some of the above-listed management tips. If you still need assistance, contact Embrace Dermatology + Aesthetics to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist in Lansdale, PA.