Acne is the inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands in the face, scalp, neck, chest, and back. Acne develops due to the blockage of hair follicles and the sebaceous glands by plugs of oil known as sebum. Bacteria in the plug multiply and cause the collection of pus in the pimples.
Acne starts at puberty then normally clears up after adolescence. However, some people continue to have acne in their 40s and 50s due to low testosterone level. Decline in testosterone level happens as a man ages.
Adult Acne Facts
The increase production of androgen or male sex hormone promotes adult acne incidence in men. Certain medicines like corticosteroids and anabolic steroids including drugs containing androgens and lithium also cause adult acne to flare up. Apart from these, other known causes are use of greasy cosmetics, exposure to oil, grease, or chemicals, squeezing or picking at facial irritations, and unhealthy skincare regimes.
What Men Can Do
Care for Skin
Wash face twice a day using a mild cleanser. Do not scrub skin to try to stop outbreaks because scrubbing can worsen acne condition. Rinse skin thoroughly with warm water. Use only dermatologist- tested facial wash.
Dermatologists also recommend washing the hair daily with doctor-approved shampoo for sensitive skin. Oil from hair can cause acne outbreak on the forehead and jaw line.
Avoid touching, squeezing, or popping an acne. Squeezing can infect plugged pores and spread bacteria even further. Today, cosmetics for men include easy to use micro mesh gloves for daily body wash. Regular use helps clear plugged pores, removes oil and soap residues, and leaves skin clean, and clear.
Acne Skin Care Cosmetics
Use only water-based acne skin care cosmetics and hair care products for sensitive skin. Avoid using astringents, facial masks, and toners on the face. Do not use rubbing alcohol to clean facial skin. Keep away from greasy hair-care products such as gels and pomades.
Select products labeled oil-free, non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. A dermatology-tested acne facial wash is the best bet for adult skin with acne. Only fragrance-free, oil-free, and sweat-proof sunblock SPF 30 is ideal for men skin that are prone to acne, as fragrances can irritate or inflamed skin.
What Dermatologists Can Do
Initially, the dermatologist will prescribe anti-acne cream to try to clear acne and prevent new acne formation.
Usual acne treatments involve the use of doctor-tested facial washes, lotions, and creams. The intake of oral tablets like hormones and antibiotics are limited to a severe case of adult acne. Acne treatments have side effects like stinging, burning, redness, peeling, scaling, or skin discoloration. Therefore, it is best that male skin care and treatments are doctor-prescribed and supervised.
The cosmetic industry has anti-acne products that really work on adult acne in men. Acne solutions could prevent scarring, help control the growth of bacteria, reduce inflammation, prevent their re-occurrence, and repair the appearance of acne-damaged skin. However, there are times that acne solutions may not work on one person or may not even work at all.
Natural Treatments for Adult Acne
Natural acne treatments, to some extent, are sometimes better. Zinc, which is present in many grains and vegetables, can reduce acne conditions, and speed-up healing process. Dietary supplement Vitamin B6, which is common in wide variety of foods including beans, meat, poultry, and fish, helps increase metabolism of steroid hormones, antibody production, and immune response.
Last but not the least is tea tree oil, a natural herb treatment for adult acne in men that can stop the growth of bacteria on the skin as effectively as benzoyl peroxide.
Other doctor-prescribed treatments for adult acne in men are hormonal treatment, low-dose corticosteroids, anti-androgen drugs, steroid injections in the lesions, and skin peeling therapy. With the help of dermatologists, men can successfully treat adult acne granting that they combine treatments with a good skincare regime, and a healthy lifestyle.
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