Acne: It's Not Just for Teens

You may have thought you had outgrown zits when you outgrew arguing with your parents about curfew. But pimples can persist into adulthood, and acne at any time in your life can leave physical and emotional scars.

Causes of adult acne

Adults can get acne well into their thirties and beyond. For some, the acne onslaught that began during adolescence just never lets up. This is called persistent acne, and it happens to more women than men. And late-onset acne can hit those who never suffered teen acne at all. Late-onset acne can also be the reappearance of acne, like a bad high school yearbook photo someone posts on your Facebook profile.

Adult acne tends to pop up around the mouth, chin, and jaw, though the pimples and nodules can appear on the back and chest as well. No matter what your age, acne is caused by excess build-up of dead skin cells, bacteria, and sebum - the natural oils that lubricate the skin.

This sort of build-up is par for the course during the hormone roller-coaster of puberty, but is much less common in adulthood. A person may be genetically predisposed to acne. And in rarer instances, acne is a visible sign of a more serious medical condition. Tumours of the adrenal gland or ovaries may trigger acne, and polycystic ovary syndrome may be spotted by a combination of symptoms including acne, excessive facial hair, thinning scalp hair, and irregular periods.

In most cases, though, the most likely causes of adult acne are:

  • the ebb and flow of a woman's hormones: A woman may be more prone to pimples at points along her ride on the hormone tides of menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. This is why birth control pills may be prescribed to women struggling with acne, since oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin can stabilize the hormonal fluctuations of the monthly cycle. Aside from contraceptives, a woman can track her cycle to plan ahead for potential breakouts.
  • the effects of starting or stopping medications: If a woman stops taking birth control pills, she may notice more frequent breakouts. Use of other types of medication may activate acne, including corticosteroids and anticonvulsants. Do not stop taking a medication because of acne. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.
  • the body's response to stress: When you kick into high-anxiety mode, your body kicks up its production of a certain kind of hormones called androgens. And those androgens crank up your oil glands and hair follicles and make you more prone to pimples, pustules, and general skin trouble.
  • the products you use on or near your skin: Cosmetic products can clog pores, an invitation to acne. And hair care products - sprays, gels, pomades - can have the same effect. Keep this in mind when applying makeup or styling your hair and consider switching to non-comedogenic products, which are specially formulated to not clog pores.

Treating adult acne









What can you do about acne scars?

Though a pimple can ruin your day, most acne clears up quickly and you can forget all about it. But some types of acne leave scars that last for years. Scar treatments can reduce the prominence of scars and improve the appearance of skin. However, make sure you talk to your dermatologist about what to expect. Restoring your skin to the way it looked before may not be possible.

The first hurdle to scar treatment is clearing up existing acne. Discuss options with a dermatologist, including the safest, most effective ways you can treat scars. Once acne has resolved, you may be advised to try a topical scar cream or gel to reduce the appearance of superficial scars and skin discoloration. Products containing collagen-boosting ingredients, including retinol, vitamin C, and glycolic acid, may plump up the skin around a scar and make it less visible.

For mild scarring, a dermatologist may recommend a skin resurfacing treatment, like a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. In laser resurfacing, a dermatologist uses a laser to slough off the top layer of skin to reveal smooth new skin beneath. Dermabrasion procedures use manual techniques to remove the damaged layer of skin. Indented scars may respond better to "filler" injections.

Babies get acne, too?




  • Clean baby's skin gently. Wash baby's face with warm water a couple of times a day, and add a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizing cleanser or facial soap a couple times each week. Use a soft touch to pat-dry baby's wet skin.
  • Protect baby's pimples. Keep baby's nails trimmed short so she won't scratch her lesions. As with other types of acne, poking or picking at baby acne can lead to infection, irritation, and scarring or pitting.