FASHION + BEAUTY
ARE YOU AFFECTED BY ADULT ACNE?
Whether you’ re suffering from a full-blown breakout, or just a few unsightly blemishes, there’ s something taboo about getting spots as an adult and it’ s one that can lead to self-consciousness. If you’ re someone that’ s suffering, however, don’ t be timid about seeking out a solution – a 2016 study of over 90 private dermatology clinics discovered a 200 per cent rise in the number of adults seeking out specialist acne treatment, an affliction that professionals feel is largely on the rise due to increased stress and poor nutrition. So, what exactly is acne and what can we do about it? BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
What is acne?
Acne can develop in several different types of spots on several different parts of the body. Caused by the over-production of oil from sebaceous glands, which leads to blocked and inflamed pores, acne takes the form of blackheads, whiteheads, papules( inflamed small red bumps), pustules( papules with a white, pus-filled centre), nodules( hard lumps under the skin’ s surface), and cysts, which have a similar appearance to boils. Although spots normally cluster on the face, they can also flare up on the neck, back and chest.
What causes it?
Hormones: Women are five times more likely to suffer from acne than men simply for having to cope with fluctuating hormones during pregnancy, monthly menstrual cycles and the effects of switching methods of contraception between the pill, the coil and patches.
Stress: Many leading dermatologists have attributed the rise of adult acne in women to trying to‘ have it all’ and working full time while raising a family. Our skin is a reflection of what’ s going on in the inside – burning the candle at both ends, whether those ends are a busy family, a demanding job, or late nights and lack of sleep, are all contributing factors.
Skincare: Both men and women are guilty of reaching for the next wonder product in the hope of banishing wrinkles – a lot of antiageing products are very high in acids and oils and can overload the skin however, resulting in breakouts.
Diet: Starchy and sugary foods, drinks with a high glycemic index like sodas and processed fruit juices, and alcohol(* sob *) are all key players in the acne game because they instigate sebum production.
What can you do about it?
If you’ re not sure what’ s causing your acne, try keeping a food diary and working out if a particular food is making it worse; process of elimination should then help you work out what to avoid. You can also opt for over-the-counter treatments containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, or book an appointment with your GP who might suggest oral and topical antibiotics, vitamin A derivative creams( retinoids), or oral contraceptives.
If you’ re not getting results that way, or you’ d rather cut to the quick and seek expert advice, a hormone balance expert will probe your diet and lifestyle, as well as test for any deficiencies and intolerances helping you determine what you should cut down on, or avoid completely. A psychodermatology clinic – an area of medicine that fuses psychiatry with dermatology – will try and work out what’ s causing the stress that’ s causing your skin problems and then work with you towards overcoming those causes.
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