Men and women between the ages of 29 and 47 often experience the signs of premature aging; fine lines and wrinkles developing around the eyes, sagging skin tissues, and a dulling complexion can easily add several years to the appearance. Many baby boomers also suffer from acne, a skin condition that can be the result of unhealthy pores, an insufficient diet, or simply poor skin hygiene.
Acne treatments for adults may differ significantly than those prescribed for teenagers who have acne during puberty; since hormones may not always be to blame in cases of adult acne, a dermatologist will need to assess several factors that may be causing inflammation and breakouts. If you’re a baby boomer suffering from adult acne, ask your dermatologist or skincare professional about the following acne treatments:
Intense Pulsed Light Treatments for Adult Acne
Intense Pulsed Light treatments help to soothe inflammation and encourage healthy skin cell production deep within the skin’s surface. It has become a popular procedure for treating a number of skin disorders, and has the added benefit of brightening up the complexion. IPL treatments can also help to reduce the appearance of scars and lesions on the surface of the skin, making the skin look more clear and rejuvenated.
Retinoic Acid and Topical Antibiotics for Adult Acne
Retinoic acid has been deemed the ‘biggest breakthrough’ in acne treatment in the past decade; it helps to reduce inflammation so that healthy skin cells have a chance to grow. When the skin begins to calm down, the cells can begin to function at their optimal level and start to clean out excess oil and debris naturally, without irritation. Retinoic acid has been proven effective even for some severe acne conditions, and may help many adults get their skin under control. Topical antibiotics have a similar effect, and can be applied to the inflamed areas in the form of a gel or lotion.
(Source: WebMD)
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Adult Acne
While some aging adults experience significant hormonal shifts that may trigger acne, others may not have enough of a certain hormone in the body to stay healthy. Hormone replacement therapy can help to improve overall health and restore the skin to a healthy condition. It can take time to achieve results with this type of therapy, but the results can be significant.
Anti-Acne Cosmetics
If you wear makeup on a regular basis, you may need to switch to a makeup line that contains acne-fighting ingredients. Some cosmetics are made with salicylic acid, mild forms of glycolic acid and other ingredients that can prevent bacteria buildup and help the skin stay clear. Any cosmetics that irritate the skin can trigger the overproduction of oil, which will only aggravate an existing skin condition. Make sure you are using the right makeup for your skin type, and look for anti-aging makeup that contains active acne-fighting ingredients.
Published: 01/09/2009, Last Updated: 01/09/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
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