Adult acne is difficult to treat. At a younger age, acne is caused by blockage of the sebaceous glands due to excessive activity of hormones. In adulthood, the cause of acne may be different. Therefore, it is difficult to treat adult acne. But it can be treated successfully.
Cause: Find out why you get acne in old age. The reason may be hormones, menopause in women, pregnancy, and acne due to mechanical causes or reactions of some chemicals or cosmetics. If you can eliminate the cause, it will be easier to treat acne.
The following treatments are typically suggested for adult acne:
Hormones: If a hormonal disorder is suspected, it can be treated with oral pills, HRT, or spironolactone. This is a prescription drug and must be carefully monitored. Hormones should not be taken during pregnancy. HRT is commonly prescribed during menopause. Your doctor is the best person to decide on the type of therapy you need.
Oral medication-
Isotretinoin is used if acne is severe or does not respond to other treatments. Oral antibiotics are also used to control acne. Along with topical retinoids, oral antibiotics can treat most cases of acne. Pl. be aware that retinoids can cause dryness and peeling of the skin. Use retinoid carefully with moisturizer. Sunscreen should be used when applying retinoids because retinoids make the skin sensitive to the sun.
Retinoids are very good at treating non-inflammatory comedones like whiteheads and blackheads. They also remove fine wrinkles so that’s an added benefit. If retnoids are used in the early stage of acne, they can even prevent acne formation.
Topical treatment: Benzoyl peroxide is the most common ingredient in topical formulations. Other ingredients that are used in topical medications include salicylic acid, antibiotics, retinoids, sulfur, etc. Use a topical that causes minimal dryness. You can also combine a retinoid with benzoyl peroxide. Similarly, antibiotics can be used in conjunction with retinoids.
Adult acne cannot be treated with over-the-counter formulations. Get a prescription product to treat adult acne because skin becomes more sensitive with age.