Adult Acne

Most people will at one point in their life or another experience a pimple. Typically it occurs during our teenage years and ends sometime in our twenties. Unfortunately for some people acne can continue into and last throughout adulthood.

Adult acne is the blockage of pores and skin follicles by sebum. Sebum is natural oil produced by the body to moisturize and protect the skin from the sun. When a person's body produces too much sebum comodos begin to form.

Comodos come in two varieties, open or closed. A closed comodo is a blockage of the pores by sebum and bacteria that has not broken the skins surface. It is more commonly know as a whitehead. Conversely an open comodo is a blockage of the pore that has been exposed to the skins surface. The sebum and the bacteria turn a black color as a result of direct contact with melanin. Melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation. The closed comodo is also known as a blackhead.

Adult acne affects between eighteen to twenty-two percent of the population. Surprisingly women account for more than sixty-five percent of adult acne sufferers whereas men only account for thirty-five percent. As acne is typically caused by male hormones one would assume that men would be more susceptible to adult acne.

Newer studies are starting to show that other factors may also play a role in the development of adult acne. Stress, work environment and diet are becoming recognized more and more as contributing factors to adult acne.

Diet plays an integral part in the treatment and management of adult acne. Adults with a high fat and low fiber diet are more susceptible to adult acne because they are not ingesting enough essential vitamins. Without essential vitamins the body cannot detoxify itself. Because the epidermis is the largest organ in the body it is responsible for eliminating the most toxins from the body.

Several treatments are available depending on the severity of the acne. Most adults can use conventional over the counter medicated face washes and creams. Those with more severe forms of adult acne have oral medications and prescription topical creams.