Acne is not just a teenage skin problem.
Yep, adult men and women get acne too.
Adult acne can be problem right through our 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s.
And sufferers of adult acne may not of had acne in their teens, either.
So what is acne?
The Australian College of Dermatologists is always a good place to start!
The college tells us acne is a common skin condition that is caused when a hair follicle and its associated oil gland become blocked and inflamed.
As a result of blockages in follicles, painful bumps under the skin (those blind pimples known as papules) develop, and also those not so nice-looking yellow pussy filled pimples with fiery red rings around them (called pustules), plus blackheads and whiteheads.
And as anyone who has every had acne will tell you, it is not just limited to your face. Acne is most likely to appear in places where our oil glands (also called sebaceous glands) are most active, such as our face, neck, back, shoulders and chest.
You Are Not Alone
If you are dealing with the painful frustration of adult acne, take comfort in the thought that you are not alone.
The number of adults suffering from adult acne is on the rise, and a recent dermatology study indicated this skin condition has increased by a massive 200%.
In fact, so many adults are dealing with acne and breakouts that it is now considered one of the more common skin conditions faced by adults today. With an estimated 80% of men and women likely to experience the pain of acne at some point between the ages of 11 and 30, and many of us still probably experience symptoms of adult acne until we our 50s.
As shocking as it may sound, adult acne does not significantly decrease until after the age of 45.
The Pain Of Adult Acne
Adult acne is more than just a blemish every now and then.
It is a skin condition that is physically uncomfortable and frustrating to live with and requires extended targeted treatment. A cure for adult acne does not happen overnight, and for those who suffer from adult acne, it is a painful skin condition that weighs you down in more ways than one.
Sufferers not only have to live with the physical discomfort due to pain and redness of the inflamed cystic acne, and scars on their skin.
Ask anyone who has had more than just a couple of pimples in their life – they will tell you the mental anguish that comes with acne can be just as trying to cure the blemishes and blackheads.
The real pain of adult acne is that many men and women feel unattractive and as a result their self-confidence and sense of self-worth plummets.
A recent US study has highlighted the debilitating emotional impact that acne has on an adult’s wellbeing, likening it to chronic illnesses like asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, and arthritis.
This study looked at the effects of adult acne on 11 unmarried females, aged 18 to 25. While the study participants did openly resent the physical discomforts of their acne, they reported that their bigger problems with adult acne were not just the pain from their cysts and skin inflammation, but because their acne was visible to others, it affected their personal confidence and self-esteem.
This study found that the lower self-esteem caused by an inflamed and scarred complexion led those with adult acne to simply withdraw from social activities and avoid going out in public.
Adult acne comes with emotional baggage
Often the real impact of adult acne is often overlooked.
Yes, everyone can see it. But the pain of acne more than that.
At Sydney Cosmetics Clinic, like many professionals , we recognise that skin disorders often lead to emotional distress. We understand that adult acne is a serious skin condition that affects a person’s emotions and quality of life.
Apart from the physical discomfort of redness and pain of acne, adult acne can quite simply make you feel physically unattractive.
Not liking what you in the mirror means facing a daily battle lack of confidence, anger, frustration, shame, depression and anxiety. All of which lead to social anxiety and withdrawal, and staying at home rather than going with friends and generally avoiding life.
Lose the emotional baggage that comes with adult acne
Is it time you got rid of your acne and start to feel comfortable in your own skin again? At Sydney Cosmetic Clinic our advanced skin treatments can help you become your vibrant self again.
With soothing and healing clear skin acne treatments and modern cosmetic therapies that fade acne scarring, you can break free of your acne and finally become comfortable in your own skin.
Whether you have mild adult acne, or need advice and treatment of cystic acne, persistent blackheads and whiteheads, or are dealing with back acne and pimples, we can devise an individual acne treatment plan that works to reduce redness as it clears and heals the skin and reduces acne scarring.
Unlike over-the-counter acne treatments that are one size fits all, we will examine your skin during a consultation and skin analysis to determine the type of acne you are suffering from and discuss the most effective acne treatments that will work for your skin type.
What are you waiting for? Book your consultation today.