Category Archives: Adult Acne

Adult Cystic Acne: What Are The Best Spot Treatments

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The best spot treatments that work for adults with moderate forms of comedones (blackheads and pimples)  won’t work for adults suffering from cystic acne.  The milder forms of this skin disease form on the superficial layer of the skin called the epidermis. Cystic acne occurs when an infection forms deep inside pore near the root of the hair follicle. The lesions fill with a bacteria laced liquid composed of  dead skin cells and white blood cells. The nodules they feel like soft, fluid-filled bumps under the surface of the skin. It can become inflamed and quite painful.

Another form of the skin disorder is nodulocystic acne. Like cystic acne, painful lumps develop under the skin, but these lesions are hard rather than soft. Because both types form deep beneath the skin, the healing process takes a lot of time and is best treated with the help of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Effects of Cystic Acne

Breakouts of either nodular or cystic acne harm healthy skin tissue often leaving scars behind when the infection heals. Don’t attempt to squeeze or pop the cysts. You’ll further damage the skin and increase the chances of unsightly scars. The best way to reduce the severity of scarring is through aggressive treatment.

A common, but little discussed effect of acne cysts is the emotional impact is can have. Because it’s difficult to treat and hard to cover up with make up, it can be devastating to the self-esteem. Adults with severe acne report feelings of embarrassment, anger, frustration and shame. According to a report by the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s not uncommon for sufferers to shy away from social events, avoid family and develop a negative body image as a result.  In extreme cases, adults dealing with cystic acne become clinically depressed because of the condition of their skin.

Acne of such severity is best handled with the help of a doctor. It needs to be treated systemically with medications. Systemic treatment works to improve the skin from the inside out.  Because the lesions are buried so deep in the skin, the best spot treatments in the world won’t be much help for adults with cystic or nodular acne.  While spot treatments may help clear the skin of a few pimples or blackheads, they are designed to work on a few spots from the top of the skin down.

The formation of cystic and nodular acne occur when the follicular wall bursts deep inside the dermis, the innermost layer of the skin. Because contaminated debris from the follicle spreads to and infects other follicles, topical application of even the best spot treatments are not much help when fighting adult cystic acne. Your doctor will recommend a course of oral antibiotics like doxycline, erythromycin, minocycline, and tetracycline.  These products fight the acne causing bacteria systemically from the inside out. Particularly severe cases may be prescribed higher dosage levels.  Be aware that at higher dosages, the bacteria could be come resistant requiring substitution of a different antibiotic.

About the only “spot” treatment for adults to get rid of cystic acne is to have a dermatologist surgically drain the cyst and remove it surgically.  The doctor can inject seriously inflamed lesions with a weak corticosteroid solution to lessen the inflammation and reduce scarring. The cysts melt away over a 3 to 5 day period

The most effective treatment for cystic acne is isotretinoin, known commercially as Accutane. It is a derivative of  vitamin A and works by reducing the size of the sebaceous glands and decreasing the quantity of oil on the skin surface. By reducing both the body’s output of sebum and the oil on the skin surface, comedones are eliminated. One course of treatment is usually sufficient to resolve the condition. Typical treatment is a daily dose taken for 4 to 5 months.

Reported side effects include blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches and loss of hair. If you’re pregnant or intend to become pregnant during the course of treatment, be sure to tell your dermatologist. Isotretinoin is known to cause damage to fetuses. You’ll want to be closely monitored. Since the side effects can be serious, isotretinoin is used only for the most acute cases of  cystic acne and usually exhausting other treatment choices.

What Causes Adult Acne?

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Adult acne can be particularly frustrating. One reason is that treatments that worked effectively for you as an adolescent may no longer seem effective.

Another reason adults find acne onset problematic is the often difficult time they getting rid of blemishes and clearing up their complexion.  The skin care approach and acne medications suitable for teenagers may not work.

Acne can persist well into a person’s 50′s.  Some acne breakouts have different root causes than the acne you knew as a teenager.  To find the best treatment you need to first identify the cause for adult acne.

Hormones and Adult Acne

Hormonal imbalances in women not only reek havoc on your mind and body, it can take a toll on the skin, too. Hormones impact the moisture balance in the skin by stimulating the oil producing sebaceous glands.  Increased levels of the male hormone testosterone increases sebum production resulting in oily, blemish-prone skin. Likewise an increase in estrogen reduces oil secretions resulting in dryer skin.

Women find they may suffer from acne breakouts during pregnancy. The reason is the tidal wave of hormonal changes taking place inside the body. Acne blemishes are generally worse during the first trimester of pregnancy but it’s not uncommon for it to continue until breast feeding ends.

Since a woman’s estrogen level drops a few days before her menstrual cycle while her estrogen levels increase, the sebaceous glands kick in producing more oil. The additional sebum often produces pimples and zits.

Stress and adult acne

Until recently health researchers were divided over the relationship between acne and stress.  Studies at Stanford University and The National Academy of Sciences demonstrate that stress makes acne worse.

Stress causes adult acne in two ways.  First, the adrenal glands increase the output of hormones. One is testosterone, the other is cortisol. Both hormones  stimulates that pesky sebaceous gland to produce more sebum.  The extra sebum makes the skin more oily and leads to acne formation. The end result: increased acne and more inflamed pus-filled papules.

Stress is also well documented to suppress the immune system.  Because stress reduces the ability of the human body to heal wounds, if you are under stress the acne is more difficult to clear up.

Foods and Adult Acne

When it comes to adult acne treatment, it’s what you don’t eat that matters. Even though dermatologist may insist diet plays no role on acne, countless reports in various acne forums prove otherwise.

Acne is not so much caused by a particular diet or food so much as a particular food may aggravate adult acne.   Think about it as a food allergy.   Look out for reactions to fats, sugar, dairy products and iodine containing foods like table salt,  shellfish, spinach and bread products.

Adult acne and Medications

Acne that show up for the first time in adulthood should be checked for an underlying cause. Research indicates certain medications can cause adult acne. The biggest culprits are lithium, anabolic steroids, compounds containing iodine and some  anti-epileptic prescriptions.

Lithium makes acne worse because it significantly increases the level of sebum production. However, the type of acne lithium produces differs from regular outbreaks since the blemishes formed generally do are not comedones (blackheads or whiteheads).

Anabolic steroids cause acne through the increased production of oil by the sebaceous gland.  Increased oil activity combine with bacteria and dead skin cells to clog the pores more quickly before body can eliminate them.

Iodine containing medications react in some adults by creating acne. Examples of drugs containing iodine are amiodarone ( used to prevent abnormal heart rhythms), cadexomer gel (an antibiotic and absorbent agent used to cleans and protect wounds), contrast agents injected for x-rays and many over the counter cough remedies.

Chemically induced Adult Acne

A little known skin condition known as Cloracne shows up as a rash after over exposure to certain chemicals and herbicides.  Lesions usually are found on the cheeks, behind the ears, in armpits and around the groin.

Chloracne normally occurs when aromatic hydrocarbons used in the creation of herbicides contacts the skin, is ingested or inhaled.

Physical pressure and friction can cause adult acne

Chronic pressure to the skin can cause a condition known as acne mechanica.  Heat, covered skin, constant pressure or repetitive friction against the skin surface irritates the skin surface that mar the complexion

Common causes include:

  • helmets and straps worn while playing football, hockey and motor cycle racing
  • tight uniforms made from synthetic fabrics
  • headbands
  • back pack straps and backpacks
  • violins and violas tucked for long periods against the neck
  • snug bra straps
  • snug jeans and leggings
  • tight underwear

When it comes to getting adult acne under control, the key to finding the most effective acne treatment is to first determine the source.  If all those bumps, pimples, blackheads and zits are not clearing up, a different treatment may be your answer.