Acne in adults
Acne is the very “black dots” and pimples that young people suffer from from a young age, and sometimes older people. Understanding what causes acne and how to treat it properly

The second name of the disease is acne. This is one of the most common skin diseases. According to statistics, 85% of people aged 12-24 suffer from acne.1. And although there is an opinion that acne is only a teenage problem, it is not. Sometimes acne can appear already in adulthood.

Both teens and adults suffer from acne. Skin imperfections make it difficult to communicate with peers, build relationships, and affect self-esteem. Such a problem is often tried to mask with the help of decorative and care cosmetics. But experts say that in this case an integrated approach is required.

Let’s figure out what acne is, what are the causes of the disease in adults and how to treat it.

What is acne

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease, the external signs of which are clogged hair follicles or comedones, inflammatory skin lesions in the form of papules, pustules or nodes. In other words, these are known to all “black dots”, acne and painful seals that are not squeezed out.

There are several types of acne. The simplest is comedones. They are divided into closed and open (those same “black dots”).

Also, acne can manifest itself in the form of papules and pustules, there is already a division according to severity. And the most complex form of the disease is conglobate, that is, multiple, acne. Such acne and discomfort deliver more, and require more serious treatment.

Useful information about acne

Looks likeblack dots, white nodules, inflammatory lesions: conical or hemispherical papules, seals with purulent contents – pustules
At what age doesmost often 12-24 years old, 8% of patients – 25-34 years old, 3% – 35-44 years old
Genderin adulthood, the incidence is higher in women, in adolescence equally
What is treatedretinoids – for all forms of the disease, azelaic acid – for the treatment of papules and pustules;

oral contraceptives, glucocorticosteroids;

preparations for internal use containing isotretinoin – in difficult cases;

antibiotics – to treat a bacterial infection4;

care cosmetics.

Why is it dangerousit is possible to attach an infection, especially if a person constantly touches the skin, squeezes out pimples and black spots, sometimes scars remain on the skin after acne has healed.

What does adult acne look like?

Usually, rashes are localized on the skin of the face, in the U-zone (cheeks, chin, around the mouth) or in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). Also, acne sometimes “attacks” the upper chest and back, shoulders.

Most often, these are inflammatory formations, less often – comedones (more typical for adolescents). Acne in adults can manifest itself in the form2:

  • “black dots” (comedones);
  • white “nodules” (miliums);
  • red, painful bumps (papules);
  • acne with purulent contents (pustules);
  • subcutaneous painful bumps (nodules);
  • cystic lesions (extensive subcutaneous formations with pus).

Complex forms of acne usually affect the back and back of the neck: inflammation is multiple, widespread, with purulent liquid content. In such cases, of course, no care cosmetics will help – more serious therapy is needed.

Causes of acne in adults

Doctors call this disease multifactorial: in other words, different reasons can provoke acne in adults. Genetics play an important role in this: the type of sebum secretion determined by physiology and the increased content of male sex hormones in the female body. By the way, in girls and women, the level of male hormones rises before menstruation. And often just a few days before menstruation, new rashes appear on the face. And often acne is accompanied by cycle disorders – the reason also lies in male hormones.

Other causes of acne in adults include3,4:

  • insufficient hygiene;
  • нарушенный режим сна и отдыха;
  • smoking;
  • inappropriate / low-quality cosmetics;
  • certain medications, including hormonal;
  • stress (aggravates the course of the disease),
  • regular wearing of some items (for example, a headband).

Symptoms of acne in adults

This is the case when there are signs of the disease. In addition to increased greasiness of the skin, “black dots”, pimples, painful subcutaneous inflammations and nodes appear on the face, chest and back (and this is the area where acne spreads). The latter is the most severe form of the disease, especially if it spreads widely over the skin.

Acne can cause irritation, itching, and pain. But experts forbid squeezing pimples on your own, washing your face too often and using aggressive products (such as alcohol). All this can only aggravate the situation.

Effective treatment for acne in adults

Conservative therapy includes skin care with the help of special cosmetics, as well as the use of external and systemic medicines. How exactly to treat acne in each case, the doctor must decide. Since, for example, in mild forms of acne in adults, systemic therapy is not used.

Diagnostics

Как и в случае с другими дерматозами, угревая сыпь требует обследования у врача. Например, для постановки диагноза необходимо установить признаки гиперандрогении (повышенного количества мужских гормонов в крови у женщины). К ним относятся: поздние первые месячные, нерегулярный менструальный цикл, изменение вторичных половых признаков и другие1.

Some additional symptoms along with acne may indicate more serious problems, such as endocrine pathologies (polycystic ovaries, pituitary hyperplasia, etc.).

Ointments and creams

Topical application of retinoids in the form of gels or creams is recommended for the treatment of acne. If we are talking about a mild form of the disease, then the treatment is limited to the use of such funds along with gentle skin care. In more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe external agents with antibiotics in the composition, as well as drugs inside.

Cleansing cosmetics

If you want to get rid of “black spots” or inflammation, you need to establish daily care. It is forbidden to rub the skin with alcohol-containing lotions, use highly concentrated keratolic agents (for example, with a large amount of salicylic and glycolic acid). Also, do not use cosmetics that contain comedogenic substances (for example, wheat germ oil or cocoa butter).

Care cosmetics should carefully cleanse and moisturize the skin, restoring its protective functions, and eliminate inflammation. Adequate cleansing of the skin is one of the components of the complex treatment of acne in adults.

Medicines

Systemic therapy is allowed for the treatment of a disease that is not amenable to other methods, and severe forms of acne, when nodules and multiple acne form. Or if there are scars on the skin.

Such treatment includes the use of drugs containing synthetic retinoids, most commonly isotretinoin. Of the minuses: the risk of occurrence of “side effects” is high. Therefore, swallowing pills without a doctor’s prescription is not worth it.

If acne occurs due to disorders in the adrenal glands and subsequent hyperandrogenism, glucocorticosteroids are prescribed. Sometimes, in severe cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics. Important: we drink antibiotics only as directed by a doctor.

By the way, if the problem is limited to comedones, doctors do not prescribe any medicines inside – there are other methods against “black dots”.

Hormonal contraceptives

Women with hyperandrogenism may be prescribed oral contraceptives with an antiandrogenic effect. They normalize hormonal levels and help solve cosmetic skin problems.

The method also has its downsides. Firstly, to obtain the result, as a rule, long-term treatment is required, about 6 months. And secondly, with the abolition of pills, acne symptoms also return.5.

Oxygen-ozone therapy

One of the treatments for acne involves injections of an oxygen-ozone mixture. It is used as monotherapy or in combination with medications.

Ozone therapeutic “cocktail” has a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory effect, improves blood circulation, promotes tissue repair. In addition, the elasticity and firmness of the skin improves, the overall appearance6.

Prevention of acne in adults at home

Internal causes have a great influence on the development of the disease, so it is important to maintain a normal hormonal background. And in the event of a rash, first of all go to the doctor to get tested for hormones and receive treatment.

In addition, the prevention of acne in adults includes:

  • daily hygiene (but not more than 2 times a day);
  • use of moisturizers for the skin;
  • Healthy lifestyle (refusal of bad habits, rational nutrition without high sugar content, physical exercises).

And, of course, you need to keep your hands away from your face – no matter how much you want to pick another pimple. Trust me, it will only get worse. Better make an appointment with your doctor instead.

Popular questions and answers

Since acne is a common problem, anyone who encounters it can have a lot of questions. Our expert dermatologist, cosmetologist, Ph.D. Aigul Mirkhaidarova answers the most common ones.

Can you pop blackheads on your own?

– Many people open acne on their own to get rid of acne and inflammation. You can’t do that. It is not worth crushing acne and squeezing acne, as the infection enters the deep layers of the epidermis and dermis, aggravating inflammation. In addition, traces in the form of scars may remain.

What foods should be avoided for acne?

– The products that cause acne exacerbation are primarily sweets. It is necessary to limit the intake of sugar, to exclude all products that contain it: carbonated drinks, sweets, cookies, etc. Also, with acne, it is worth abandoning dairy products, excluding fast food, chips, coffee, flour products from the diet.

To make it easier to tolerate changes in nutrition, you need to identify the reason why you want to eat, for example, sweets and fast food. Your doctor will help you figure this out and choose the right diet that is right for you.

Which doctor treats acne?

– A dermatologist-cosmetologist is a doctor who first of all examines such patients. This is followed by the close-knit work of an endocrinologist, gynecologist and gastroenterologist.

Is it possible to use decorative cosmetics for acne (foundation, blush, etc.)?

– With acne, it is undesirable to use any decorative cosmetics, as this can aggravate the skin condition. The most important thing for acne-prone skin is to treat it, not mask cosmetic imperfections. Acne can be a symptom of another disease, hormonal problems, so you need the help of a doctor.

Sources of:

  1. Acne vulgaris. Clinical recommendations // Russian Society of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists. 2020. https://goo.su/iAIU
  2. Acne. Symptoms and causes / Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047
  3. Acne: who gets and causes / American academy of dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/causes/acne-causes
  4. Acne. Causes.  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes/
  5. N.I. Tapilskaya. A patient with acne at a gynecologist’s appointment // Difficult patient. Volume 16. No. 11. 2018. S. 58-60. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/patsientka-s-akne-na-prieme-u-ginekologa/viewer
  6. Bolotnikova L.I. The effectiveness of oxygen-ozone therapy for acne // Health and education in the XXI century. 2007. Volume 9. No. 4. P.123. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/effektivnost-kislorodno-ozonovoy-terapii-pri-ugrevoy-sypi/viewer

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