Acne affects millions of teens and adults, but can be especially difficult to manage for those who have aging skin that doesn’t respond well to over-the-counter acne products. 

Aging skin is often damaged deep within the skin’s layers and can be difficult to treat with topical lotions, creams and cleansers. The skin can also become more sensitive with age, making it more challenging to use any products that can irritate the skin or cause inflammation. However, acne can be treated with several facial rejuvenation procedures available at the cosmetic surgeon’s office. 

While teenagers can get away with cleansers and acne spot treatments, individuals with aging skin can benefit from chemical peels, light therapy and even microdermabrasion. Here are just a few acne treatment options for mature skin:  

Chemical Peels for Acne Treatment

While chemical peels may sound like a harsh treatment for already-inflamed skin, lighter peels such as Alphahydroxy acid peels (AHAs) and Betahydroxy acids (BHAs) can treat acne effectively without damaging the skin itself. These peels are also a valuable treatment for aging skin as they can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and also help lighten age spots over time. Treatment can be repeated every six to eight weeks to steadily shed the skin’s layers and make it more resilient. The result is smoother, more supple and youthful-looking skin that is free of acne breakouts and acne scars. A skincare specialist can determine what concentration of a peel will be best for your skin’s condition.  

Microdermbrasion for Acne Treatment

Microdermabrasion treatments are another way to exfoliate the skin and buff away damaged skin cells. These treatments are typically more intensive than a chemical peel, and help to buff away the top layer of the skin using a semi-abrasive micro crystal tool. Microdermabrasion can be used in conjunction with a soothing facial to reduce skin irritation and effectively keep acne under control. Another benefit of microdermabrasion for aging skin is that it can gently remove fine lines and wrinkles, and increase the rate of collagen production which helps rejuvenate the skin overall.  

Photo Rejuvenation for Acne Treatment

Light therapy is used to reduce skin pigmentation and scars, but can also be used for acne therapy. Light therapy and laser photo rejuvenation treatments involve pulsating light beams directly onto the acnetic areas to ‘kill’ the cells and encourage them to dry up naturally. Over time, this type of treatment can reduce acne outbreaks significantly and may also remove redness and inflammation in each area. Photo rejuvenation has the added benefit of smoothing out the skin’s appearance and reducing skin discoloration – both are simple ways to erase a few years and improve the texture of the skin overall.  

Oral Antibiotics for Acne Treatment

Since aging skin typically doesn’t respond well to topical treatments, an internal treatment may be a better option. Oral antibiotics have proven to be a valuable treatment for acne and help to kill the bacteria that triggers an acne episode. Oral antibiotics can be taken for the short-term to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation so that skin can heal and improve over time.  

Aging skin needs extra care for acne treatments, especially when excessive inflammation and redness are present. Since aging skin is not as elastic and resilient as younger skin, it can become damaged from harsh chemicals or non-responsive to typical acne medications. Photo rejuvenation, microdermabrasion and chemical peels are just a few options available at the dermatologist’s office that can reduce acne episodes and even enhance the skin for a more youthful appearance.  

Learn more about skin rejuvenation procedures in our information guide, or consult with a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist in your area to find the best antiaging treatment plan for your skin.