Friday, November 28, 2008

Understanding Adult Acne

By Alexander Chase

Although many people seem to think that acne is a problem for teens only, there are actually many people who end up dealing with acne during adulthood. This is known as adult acne. About 80% of all adults who are in their twenties and thirties end up dealing with some adult acne, and this is especially a big problem for women, who are the most commonly affected by acne as an adult. The type of acne that adults get is essentially the same as the acne seen in teenagers, but many times there are different causes for this type of acne. So, here's a closer look at the causes of adult acne and ways to holistically treat it.

Reasons For Adult Acne

If you are dealing with adult acne, no doubt you are wondering what actually actually triggers it. Here are just a few of the causes of adult acne.

The Hormone Connection - First of all, you'll find that there is definitely a hormone connection to adult acne when it comes to women. Many adult women end up dealing with adult acne as a result of fluctuations in hormones. This can occur as women go through their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and even when women go off their birth control pills.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Another cause of adult acne in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome. This is a hormonal disorder where male hormones are produced in larger amounts than normal. Because of the hormonal imbalances that are caused by this condition, Acne is a common symptom.

Medications and Chemicals - Medications and chemicals can also be a cause of adult acne in some cases. There are a variety of medications that are known to cause acne in adults, such as anabolic steroids, medications for epilepsy, and medications that contain rifampin, iodine, and lithium. Some chemicals, such as chlorine can also cause acne in adults as well.

Pressure and Friction -- friction or pressure to the skin can cause acne breakouts as well. Usually acne occurs where purse or backpack straps chafe the skin or where the face has something held against it, such as a violin.

Holistically Treating Adult Acne

If you are suffering from adult acne, treating it holistically is often your best choice. Surely, there are many acne medications available on the market, but many have bothersome side effects and others can cause additional problems. With these many side effects, it's no wonder holistic treatments have gain in popularity in recent years. Holistic regiments can include eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water, eating plenty of whole grain and other low-glycemic foods, taking both herbal and vitamin supplements, like chlorophyll and echinacea are all helpful in treating acne. - 15995

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