Acne isn’t something that only happens to teenagers.
Many adults suffer from acne, as well.
50 million people in America suffer from acne according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Even though so many people struggle with acne each year, it’s still difficult for most people to talk about.
Acne is a natural part of puberty, but what about all the adults who suffer from acne, too?
When you’re an adult, your acne problems go beyond hormonal imbalances.
There are several factors that determine how often you get a breakout, the areas in which you break out, and how severe they can be.
When adults have a severe breakout, they can consult with a dermatologist.
You could be prescribed a medication called Accutane.
You could also be advised to buy an over-the-counter salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide creams.
These treatments can get pricey over time, especially if you don’t address your acne’s root cause. In most cases, you can treat adult acne without medication.
Get More Rest
Sleep is immensely important to your overall health.
When your body is asleep, it’s not shut down completely.
It’s healing and revitalizing itself.
While you’re asleep, the cells of your body are undergoing maintenance and repairs.
So, it’s important to get the right amount of sleep in a clean environment.
When you don’t get enough sleep at night, your body loses repair time, and it also contributes to your stress levels.
Although getting more sleep doesn’t mean that you won’t have acne, it contributes to a healthier lifestyle with less stress.
It’s just one of those things that works hand-in-hand with other healthy lifestyle choices.
You should change your sheets once a week and swap out your pillowcase every two to three days.
When you’re lying in bed, your body is in direct contact with your sheets and your pillowcase.
There’s dust and bacteria that build up over time. It can clog your pores, cause inflammation, and create more acne.
Improve Your Diet
The foods that you eat can help and harm.
On one hand, you have foods that promote wellness and nourish the body.
On the other hand, you have foods that carry little nutritional value and can create chemical imbalances.
So, if you have an acne flare-up, it’s important to take a closer look at the foods you’re eating.
There was an interesting study from 2007 that was published in the Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology.
The researchers determined that certain carbohydrates with a high glycemic index caused excessive levels of oil to be secreted by the skin.
These are starchy foods like potatoes, rice, white bread, and honey.
So, to keep your skin healthy, you should cut down on high glycemic foods.
If you go on a low glycemic diet for 12 weeks or more, the research shows that you can significantly reduce adult acne.
Although there aren’t any cures for adult acne that can be found in the foods you eat, changing your diet can improve your conditions.
You should eat protein-rich foods.
Eat foods like bananas, soy products, beans, and lentils.
Avoid sugary treats, starches, and processed foods as much as you can.
Manage Your Stress Levels
One of the leading causes of adult acne is stress.
Luckily, it’s one of those causes that can be managed, but how does stress create acne?
Well, when your stress levels are high, the severity of your breakout increases.
At the American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy Meeting in 2011, dermatologist and clinical psychologist Richard G. Fried, MD, PhD, FAAD published research suggesting that chemical neuropeptides create inflammation of the skin and induce acne flare-ups due to stress.
Normally, those chemical neuropeptides work to bolster your body’s natural defense layer against injuries and some diseases.
Dr. Fried’s research determined that anxiety, anger, and depression caused chemical neuropeptides in the body to create unnecessary inflammation.
It’s like your skin’s natural defense system goes on overdrive.
His research team also found that stress caused the overproduction of cortisol.
Cortisol is the hormone that regulates your fight or flight response.
It also produces a waxy, white substance called sebum.
That’s the mystery gunk that comes out of your pores when you squeeze a pimple.
If you want to minimize the severity of your adult acne breakouts, focus on managing your stress levels.
You need to relax.
Don’t worry about your acne.
Have more fun by doing more of the things that you enjoy.
Yoga and meditation are also helpful ways of reducing and managing stress.
For most people who suffer from severe adult acne, the use of Accutane prescriptions, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid are the main treatments.
However, you can take steps to reduce adult acne without these medications and treatments.
For most people, their adult acne is mild enough that it can be treated with some changes to their lifestyle choices.
By getting a full night’s sleep, changing your diet, managing your stress levels, and using the right skincare products, you can reduce acne on your own.
If you follow these steps consistently, then you’ll prevent more breakouts over time.
It is important to note that acne is a medical condition.
So, you should always take the advice of medical professionals before beginning a new health-related regimen.
