While most teens are familiar with pimples and acne that can occur as their hormones kick in, the common assumption is teens will outgrow their acne once they are through adolescence. Actually adult acne is quite common and more and more adults are battling this stubborn skin condition.

While many teens do eventually outgrow their acne, for others it can persist into their adult years and for an unfortunate few it can become chronic. For adults, acne can be even more stressful and embarrassing than for teens. While most teens have a pimple or two, many adult acne sufferers must see friends and coworkers with clear skin while they are still battling the acne they were supposed to outgrow.

Acne in adults can be a continuation of their teenage acne or it can show up for the first time in adults. Unfortunately for some, acne can continue until their fifties and even beyond. Many women with a history of clear skin can first develop acne during pregnancy or menopause when their hormones change drastically. The challenge with adult acne is that it can be more resistant to treatment and is best treated with a multi-faceted approach.

Adult acne can be made worse by the stresses of modern life including balancing careers with family life, not to mention our unhealthy lifestyles and poor diet.

Dermatologists are finding more adults today are seeking treatment for adult acne and the increasing stressful, unhealthy lifestyles we live today are likely contributing to this increase.

Since the male hormones, androgens, are the ones behind the development of acne, it is not surprising that severe forms of acne and serious acne scarring are more common in men; however, chronic acne is more common in women. Today many women face increasingly stressful lives as they balance careers and family responsibilities, often leaving little time left over for taking care of themselves. This stress can make women more susceptible to acne as they also face the hormonal shifts of birth control pills, menstrual cycle, pregnancies and menopause.

Doctors still don’t know exactly what causes acne in some and not others, and why it is so common today. Experts suggest environmental factors such as chemicals in our environment, hormones and antibiotics added to our foods, and unhealthy habits such as drinking alcohol, eating sugar and smoking all contribute to the rise in acne.

How can you get adult acne under control?

While we are still looking for a “cure” for acne, there is much you can do to treat the symptoms and control this skin problem. There are many prescription and over the counter acne medications that are very effective and new laser technologies are exciting too. Today lasers can help control acne and improve the appearance of scars. With all of the treatment options today, everyone can have clearer skin.

Stop putting up with pimples…learn how you can have clearer skin now.

Learn more about adult acne treatment. Stop by Joy Byers’s site where you can find out all about skin care today and what you can do for your skin.