Acne is the number one skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million people each year. Though we might think that the lion’s share of those numbers fall to teens going through puberty, acne affects up to 15% of adult women.
At SINY® Dermatology, our team of skin care specialists understand the many skin conditions that can affect patients of all ages, with acne leading the charge. Unfortunately, this issue isn’t reserved for the more youthful among us as the incidence of acne is on the rise in adults, especially among women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
If you’re among the millions of adults who are still waging war against acne, here’s a look at why the battle never seems to end and, more importantly, what we can do about it.
At its core, acne develops when the hair follicles in your skin become clogged with oil, debris, and dead skin cells, which can lead to those unwelcome red bumps, whiteheads, and blackheads. Though acne typically develops on your face, it can also appear on your back, chest, and shoulders.
The cause of acne has largely been placed at the feet of hormones, but bacteria, excess oil production, and genetics also play a role.
When it comes to adult acne, one of the primary reasons why the problem largely affects women is mostly because of the hormonal changes that women experience throughout their lives, from their monthly cycles to their passages through menopause. As well, many women take hormonal medications for birth control, which controls acne to a great extent, but once they stop using hormonal birth control methods, the acne comes back.
Men, on the other hand, typically enjoy relatively steadier hormone levels through adulthood.
This isn’t to say that adult men can’t develop acne because researchers believe that stress, certain medications, and genetics can cause adult acne in both genders.
No matter your gender, the good news is that we have several ways to approach the problem so that you can enjoy blemish-free skin again.
When we treat adult acne, we now have a much more effective arsenal than when you were younger. Depending upon the extent of your acne, we offer several solutions, including:
Our noninvasive laser therapy is a highly effective approach in which we send light energy into your skin to target overactive sebaceous (oil) glands. This technique allows us to treat current acne while also preventing future breakouts.
Choosing which acne treatment program is most appropriate for you is best done after we perform a full evaluation of your skin and your goals. To get started, simply contact one of our six offices in New York, to set up your consultation.
