My Adult Acne Is Embarrassing: Can You Help?

You thought those embarrassing pimply days were behind you, but you’re still battling breakouts — or experiencing them for the first time — well into adulthood. 

While it’s true that teens get the lion’s share of acne, adults aren’t immune to this annoying, sometimes painful, skin condition. 

At Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics, we see a lot of adult acne. Men and women throughout the Salt Lake City area come to us for help clearing their grown-up skin, and we have several proven treatments. 

However, the right treatment depends on the type of acne and its root cause. Here’s a look at adult acne and how to handle it.

Adult acne isn’t rare

It may seem like you’re the only post-teen person with pimples, but adult acne is much more common than you might think. 

Statistics show that even in their 40s, about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience acne. And for women in their 20s and 30s, it’s even more common, so it’s not just a teenage problem. 

Why do adults have acne?

Teenagers can blame their breakouts on fluctuating hormones during puberty, and adults can often blame the same culprit. However, hormones aren’t the only cause — there are several triggers. Knowing which one is causing your acne is the first step in finding the right treatment. 

Hormonal imbalances

Hormones play a significant role in adult acne, just as they do in teenage acne. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause, and menstrual cycles in women can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to breakouts. 

Stress and lifestyle factors

Do you ever notice that your skin seems to break out when you’re stressed? That’s because stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can aggravate acne. Combine this with poor sleep, a bad diet, and a lack of exercise, and you’ve got a recipe for breakouts.

Skincare products

Sometimes, the very products you use to care for your skin can cause breakouts. Ingredients like heavy oils or certain chemicals can clog pores and lead to acne. Always read labels and opt for non-comedogenic products to keep your skin clear.

Medication side effect

Some medications cause acne as a side effect. Testosterone, corticosteroids, and specific thyroid and cancer medications could be the culprit behind your breakouts. Don’t stop taking your medicine, but talk to your doctor about it and see if you can switch to another medication. 

How to tackle stubborn adult acne

Knowing the cause of your acne helps you determine the right treatment. For example, if you have a hormonal imbalance, then working with your doctor to correct the problem can help clear up your skin.

If lifestyle issues are causing breakouts, making some changes, like eating healthier foods, getting more sleep, and upping your hygiene game, can help.

However, when common-sense, at-home measures don’t do the trick, we offer some tried-and-tested methods for dealing with persistent adult acne.

Prescription-strength topicals

When over-the-counter treatments aren’t cutting it, it might be time to visit our Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics team for prescription-strength topicals. Dr. Robert Topham and our team may recommend creams or gels with retinoids and benzoyl peroxide to accelerate cell turnover and reduce inflammation.

Oral medications and antibiotics

If you have severe acne, we may recommend oral medications. Antibiotics can reduce the bacteria that cause acne and decrease inflammation. 

If hormones are the problem, birth control pills or anti-androgens could be the answer.

Drainage and extraction

If you have cystic acne, simple topical treatments might not be enough. Our professional drainage and extraction procedures, which carefully drain large cysts and remove blockages, can relieve the pressure of these painful lumps.

Light and laser therapies

Our light and laser therapies use advanced technology to reduce bacteria in and on your skin. The treatments are noninvasive and painless but do your skin a world of good. 

Adult acne can be embarrassing, but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence. Call Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics in Holladay, Utah, to discuss the best treatment plan for your unique skin needs.