Adult Acne
Acne doesn’t just plague teenagers. Some statistics show that one in 10 of us will be affected by the condition at some point in our adult life, even if we didn’t suffer as a teenager.
Adults in their 20s and 30s experience problems more commonly, but those in their 40s or 50s certainly aren’t immune and the skin problem can strike at any time for seemingly no reason.
What causes adult acne?
Our skin has tiny glands called sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles. The purpose of these glands is to produce an oily substance called sebum which lubricates the skin and stops it from becoming dry.
When the skin produces too much sebum, the substance mixes with dead skin cells and blocks the hair follicle attached to the gland. Harmless bacteria on our skin then contaminate the blocked follicle and cause the spots and cysts we associate with acne.
80% of adult acne occurs in women and this huge percentage is often linked to the hormonal or menopausal changes they experience and the effect this has on sebum production. The monthly cycle, pregnancy, and polycystic ovary syndrome are all known to increase sebum production and contribute towards the risk of adult acne.
This doesn’t mean men can’t get the condition, however. While males don’t have the same fluctuation in hormones as females do, some studies suggest that excess sebum production can simply be linked to genetics and men in their 20s and 30s are particularly susceptible to spots or cysts.
Adult Acne Treatment
Our non-invasive N-Lite treatment tackles adult acne by addressing the very cause of the spots; the bacteria. The treatment uses SmartPulse (TM) laser light to destroy the spot-causing substance and stimulate the skin’s natural repair mechanism.
One of the most effective laser treatments on the market, N-Lite is suitable for all skin types and can be used on the face, neck, back and chest without any damage to the skin itself.
Adult Acne Treatment Results
Acne in the targeted area is cleared and, because N-Lite targets the bacteria that causes the condition, the chance of acne reappearing is significantly lessened.
For most patients we recommend a course of three N-Lite treatments to clear the skin, though this varies for each case. The majority of patients will see visible changes in their skin by the second session, but there are some who see significant changes after just one.
Controlling adult acne is hard; stress in our daily lives and fluctuating hormones mean that we can’t always prevent breakouts. Should they occur you can, however, address them safely and thoroughly.
