Acne is commonly associated with puberty and teenagers, but it can affect those older too. It’s caused by the inflammation of the small oil glands (known as the sebaceous glands) which surround the hairs on the face and chest. For most people, the severity of the acne usually reaches its peak between the ages of 17 and 19, and by their mid-20s the problem has almost gone. Some people suffer with this problem well into their 40s though. Your hormones are the most common cause of acne, whether these are related to puberty or pregnancy – for example, your menstrual cycle can bring acne on, due to the bout of hormones in the body. Other causes include environmental irritants, such as intense heat, humidity, cold weather or pollution. During puberty, the body produces an increasing amount of male sex hormones, known as androgens, in both boys and girls which can lead to the sebaceous glands producing more sebum. Some people are extremely sensitive to these hormones, which means that they get acne more severely than other people. The increased amount of sebum makes the opening of the sebaceous glands smaller, stopping the sebum from getting out – this blocks the gland and leads to the spots we associate with acne. The symptoms of acne include tender small red spots which develop into pimples containing fatty acids – the inflammation usually disappears after a few days or weeks, depending on how badly the person has acne. There are psychological effects of acne though, as it can be socially disabling and stressful – early treatment can help to limit this, as well as preventing scars which can occur in severe bouts of acne. Working in a damp environment where there are chemicals, grease or oil can make the problem worse, as can your menstrual cycle, certain medicines or chemicals, and squeezing or touching the pimples – this can lead to them becoming infected and taking longer to heal.
There are ways you can help clear up or prevent acne by changing your routine at home, such as washing your face twice a day with a mild cleanser If you get sweaty, such as after exercise, be sure to wash your face as well, as this will make acne worse. You should avoid scrubbing your face where possible, as this can also exacerbate the problem. Your hair contains oils as well, which can add to the glands on your face, so keeping your hair shampooed regularly and off your face can help. Though researchers have yet to find any evidence to support specific foods leading to acne, if you notice that any specific foods make the issue worse then you should avoid them – a diet that’s rich in fruit and vegetables, as well as plenty of water, can help keep your skin and body healthy. Your GP should be able to prescribe topical creams or medications which can help clear up severe acne, and staying away from greasy moisturisers will help limit the amount of oil on your face. If you have scars caused by acne, you can either opt for laser treatment to remove them or dermabrasion. Both of these treatments can be carried out by a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, and can help improve your confidence if you’re worried about the condition of your skin. Once your acne has gone, it’s common for it to flare up again once you’ve stopped treatment – for this reason, many people have to maintain some form of routine in order to keep their skin looking healthy. This may be a skin care routine which works for them, or using topical treatments to keep flare-ups at bay.