What Causes Adult Acne?
If you are well beyond the teenage years and suffering from acne you may be wondering what causes adult acne. The hormonal shifts of puberty are long gone and yet acne remains. Is adult acne different than the acne of adolescence?
The most common form of acne at any age is what is called acne vulgaris. While statistics vary, it is estimated that upwards of 70% of all individuals will be afflicted with this skin disorder at some point in their life.
Acne vulgaris is found on the areas of skin with the highest density of sebaceous follicles including the face, chest, and back. The lesions themselves exist in a variety of forms ranging from noninflammatory comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) to inflammatory nodules (severe acne).
Many adults have experienced for themselves that acne vulgaris is not limited to the adolescent years. Millions of people suffer from adult acne. So what causes adult acne?
The direct answer to that question is the same whether we are asking about adults or teenagers. What causes adult acne are the same underlying causes of acne at any age: four activities that occur within the skin follicles (pores) as outlined below.
Excess sebum
An increase in sebum (oil) production can clog the pores and promote bacterial growth (see below).
Hyperkeratinization
An abnormal growth and shedding of skin cells that collect in the pores, forming a plug.
Growth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)
A normal bacterium on the skin that proliferates in the presence of excess sebum (a food source). Releases substances that promote inflammation.
Inflammation
An immune-mediated response to P. acnes. This is the cause of the redness, swelling and pus associated with many acne lesions.
Now the question is, what factors contribute to the above activities? For teenagers, the increase in the level of androgens (male hormones) during puberty (which increase sebum production) are believed to be the main secondary factor in causing acne. In adults, the secondary causes that contribute to the four activities above are not as clear. The role of androgens in some cases of adult acne have been established, especially in women, but other contributing factors are more difficult to identify in a given person.
By understanding what causes adult acne you have a better chance at effectively treating it. Current acne medications work by targeting one or more of the four activities that contribute to acne lesion development. But if you can also identify your own secondary causes in acne formation, you will have a better shot at finding a treatment that addresses your particular issues. Getting rid of adult acne can be a challenge, but the effort is worth it.
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My Story
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