Adult Acne: Causes and Treatments
Acne is hardly a tween or teen thing, as it’s something that can affect us as adults. Rather than living with adult acne, talk to your favorite dermatologists in Los Angeles about your options, and learn more about the causes of this skin condition:
Causes
Adult acne is caused by any number of factors, including changes in hormone levels and stress. Hormone level changes include menopause and stopping birth control, while other factors, such as taking anti-seizure drugs, can cause adult acne. Diet also plays a role, as some are more susceptible than others to foods that cause acne flare-ups, such as white flour and dairy products. Acne can appear anywhere on the body, but usually occurs on the face, back, shoulders, chest, and buttocks.
Talking to your Los Angeles dermatologist is one of the best ways to determine the cause of your acne, and subsequently come up with a viable solution.
Daily Cleansing
Treatment of adult acne starts with a daily cleansing routine. It’s important to wash the face no more than twice daily, as too-frequent cleansing strips skin of natural oils, which the body will make up for with increased oil production. This can result in more acne! Use a gentle cleanser and cool or warm, not hot, water. Gently wash the face for about 30 seconds, then pat skin dry rather than rubbing it dry. If unsure which cleanser is best for your skin type, talk to your dermatologist.
Treatments
The Kopelson Clinic offers a variety of acne treatments designed to clear pimples or lessen the appearance of scars. These Los Angeles dermatologists utilize lasers and other light therapies to treat severe acne, which kill acne-causing bacteria. Different types of light are used, however blue light is the most common treatment. It may be combined with red light to kill bacteria, as well as heat energy and pulsed light.
Other dermatology options for the treatment of acne include drainage and extraction, chemical peels, antibiotics, and prescription creams. And while dermatologists are professionals at acne drainage and extraction, pimple extraction or “squeezing” is not something to try at home, as it results in the spread of infection, and scarring.
To learn more about what these Los Angeles dermatologists can do for your acne, please contact the Kopelson Clinic today.