25 Facts About Adult Acne

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Editor’s note: This article is based on Lees’ upcoming class, “BUMPS! A Guide to Adult Acne Afflictions and Treatments,” taking place during the Advanced Education Conference Program during Face & Body® Midwest at McCormick Place West in Chicago, on March 21, 2015. Register today! www.FaceandBody.com/midwest/register.

“Why am I breaking out at 35? I’m not a teenager!” You may have heard this from more than just a few female clients. The fact is that adult women are actually more likely to have issues with acne than teenage girls.

Why do many women never develop acne problems until their 20s or 30s? Many factors play a role, but the biggest reason is hormonal fluctuations, particularly those that occur with the monthly cycle.

Here’s what skin care professionals need to know about adult acne, and how estheticians help clear and prevent these bothersome blemishes.

Characteristics and causes

Following are traits and sources of adult acne for skin care professionals to be aware of when treating clients.

1. Genetic predisposition. The predisposition to develop clogged pores and acne lesions is genetic. The inherited genetic tendency—retention hyperkeratosis—is for dead epidermal cells to accumulate inside follicles and clog pores, and the oiliness coating over the cell buildup causing follicular plugging leading to both noninflammatory (open and closed comedones) and inflammatory (papules, pustules, nodules and cysts) acne lesions.

This is important because clients’ genetics cannot be changed. Professionals can only help control and manage the effects of these hormones. The takeaway from this fact is that acne can be controlled and cleared, but not cured. Both clients and skin therapists must not lose sight of this, or acne will not be controlled.

2. Overproduction of oil. During part of the menstrual cycle, the female hormone level in the bloodstream decreases, resulting in an increase in the concentration of male hormone in the blood. Male hormones, known as androgens, are the hormonal switch that turns on sebaceous (oil) glands.

So, an increase in the amount or concentration of androgens in the bloodstream can overstimulate sebum production, increase follicle clogging and create inflammation in the follicles. The follicles can become obstructed with solidified sebum and cell buildup or obstructed due to inflammation. In either case, this creates an anaerobic environment in the deep follicle, perfect for the growth of acne bacteria, or Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes).

Surges of sebum can not only clog the follicles, but can also cause inflammation in sensitive follicles, which causes further obstruction.

3. Fewer comedones. Adult acne generally has fewer open comedones, is less pustular and severe, but instead is characterized by mild breakouts that occur frequently and constantly.

4. Chin acne. Repeat breakouts on a monthly basis are very likely caused by hormone fluctuations. While science does not have a full explanation for this, these flares of blemishes often occur in the lower half of the woman’s face, specifically in the chin and jawline. These blemishes are often very sore and are in the form of a papule. It is believed that these chin papules are caused by inflammation from sudden surges of sebum in chin and jawline follicles following hormonal fluctuations.

5. Stress. Stress causes hormonal fluctuations, giving explanation to why stress can cause flares of acne lesions.

6. Perioral dermatitis. Perioral dermatitis is an acne-like condition that appears as clusters of papules in the mouth and chin area. Its cause is unknown, but believed to be hormonal since it occurs exclusively in females between 20–55 years of age. Perioral dermatitis does not respond to classic topical acne treatment and needs to be referred to a physician for oral antibiotics.

7. Comedogenic makeup. Heavy or comedogenic skin care and makeup products can contribute significantly to pore-clogging and can increase the frequency of acne lesion flares. Look for products that are lightweight and fluid-like in texture that have been independently tested to ensure that they are noncomedogenic. Avoiding ingredients that are known to be comedogenic is a good idea, but real proof of noncomedogenic status is to have the finish product tested.

8. Exercising with makeup. Exercising while wearing makeup can worsen acne-prone adult skin. Leave the makeup off while exercising and make sure to thoroughly cleanse the skin after exercising.

9. Inflammatory acne. Some skin care and cosmetic products can cause follicular inflammation that will result in sudden flares of acne. Overnight breakouts of several pimples are often caused by products that are highly stimulating, over-exfoliating, have extreme pHs or even by fragrances.

10. Follicular irritation. The skin does not purge itself of toxins. Chronic breakouts after facials are caused by inflammation. This can be triggered by too much extraction, strong masks, too much massage, or stimulating or fragranced products.

11. Jawline. Excess makeup on the jawline is easy to miss and tends to catch residue. Fats left on the skin can contribute to clogging and breakouts. Make sure to remove all traces of makeup and cleanser at and just under the jawline.

12. Acne excoriée. Constant picking at acne lesions—acne excoriée—not only slows healing, but also causes hyperpigmentation and vascular macules—brown and red spots, and leads to scarring.

13. Dairy products and junk food. Certain foods may worsen breakout tendencies in some people. Dairy products and junk food diets have been implicated. Remember that this does not affect all people. If a client suspects that dairy or any other food causes flare-ups, have the person discontinue that food for six weeks and see if acne clears up.

Solutions and recommendations

Following is a list of products, techniques and tips that estheticians can use to help treat clients with adult acne.

14. Daily exfoliating gel. Keeping follicles clear is paramount to achieving clear skin. Daily application of an exfoliating gel serum with glycolic acid or salicylic acid, a combination of the two, or a mild 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel helps to flush follicles of dead cell buildup, keeping the canal clear and air flowing to help keep acne bacteria in check. The exfoliating product should be applied lightly to all areas, except the eye area, on a daily basis. Even if the skin has no visible breakout or clogs, using an exfoliating gel will help to flush the follicle canals of debris and microcomedones, which cannot be seen on the skin’s surface.

15. Hydration fluid and sunscreen. Balance any dehydration caused by use of exfoliating gels by regularly applying a tested, noncomedogenic hydration fluid and lightweight sunscreen.

16. Spot treatments. Spot treatment of individual papules with drying lotions can be helpful in speeding their clearance. Products containing sulfur and resorcinol help to dry up the blemishes and reduce swelling.

17. Topical treatment. Most chin acne can be controlled with a topical acne treatment. Chronic acne that repeatedly occurs every month and does not respond to topical acne treatment may have a more serious medical problem causing flares. These clients should be referred to a physician for evaluation and potential hormonal therapy.

18. Prescription care. Dermatological treatment of hormonally flared acne may include prescriptions for anti-androgen birth control pills or spironolactone, which also helps control androgen flares.

19. Noncomedogenic products. Daily-use sunscreen, serums, foundation and even powders need to be noncomedogenic since these products are worn over clog- and acne-prone areas for prolonged periods of time.

20. Water- or silicon-based anti-aging products. Be especially careful when selecting anti-aging products, as these often use fattier bases intended for alipidic, aging skin. Performance ingredients, such as peptides, alpha hydroxy acids and antioxidants are not the culprit here, but the vehicle or spreading agent is the frequent offender. Recommend water- or silicone-based products for aging and remember to look for noncomedogenic testing!

21. Regular cleansing with a foaming cleanser. Controlling oiliness is an important factor in controlling acne. There is a direct correlation between the amount of oil produced by the skin and the severity of an acne condition. The best way to control oiliness is to cleanse the face thoroughly twice a day. A non-fragranced foaming rinseable cleanser will help to remove the excess sebum. In more severe cases, a foaming cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide may be helpful.

22. Milk emulsion makeup remover. For clients who wear makeup, a thorough cleansing should be performed nightly using a cleansing milk emulsion makeup remover. Rinsable cleansers generally do a less-than-efficient job of makeup removal. After removing makeup with the cleansing milk, the skin may be cleansed a second time with a rinsable foaming cleanser to remove all traces of residue.

23. Deep-cleansing treatments. Deep-cleansing treatments performed at the spa on a regular basis can have a positive effect on clogged pore control. Use of plug-softening desincrustant products and galvanic current, gentle extraction, and a clay- and sulfur-based mask may help.

24. Salicylic acid peels. Mild peeling and exfoliation treatments using salicylic acid may help to keep pores free of excess cell buildup. Salicylic acid is lipophilic, which means it is attracted to fat (oiliness). Mild salicylic peels can be performed regularly and are a great way to start a deep-cleansing treatment.

25. Customized daily regimen. Routine daily home care with the right products is the real key to getting clear and staying clear. It is your job as a skin care professional to find the right program for your client and to educate them on how to properly care for her skin. Make sure to give clear written instructions and to keep the regimen as simple as possible. Treatment compliance on the part of the client can make or break success!

Mark+Lees

Mark Lees, PhD, is an award-winning speaker, clinical skin therapist and product developer specializing in acne, sensitive and aging skin, and is the author of Skin Care: Beyond the Basics (Milady, 2011), The Skin Care Answer Book (Milady, 2010), and the newly-released acne book, Clearing Concepts (2013). He is a member of the 2014–2015 Skin Inc. Editorial Advisory Board and can be contacted at [email protected] or on Facebook.

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