Persistent acne that begins during adolescence and continues into the adult years affects millions of women of all ages, and can be more pronounced on skin that has become damaged by the sun and other environmental factors.
Severe acne can take its toll on both physical and emotional levels, and women who are suffering from persistent acne often experience breakouts and flare-ups because of hormones imbalances, birth control pills and other factors. However, there are several effective treatments and skincare therapies that help to reduce the spread of acne in women and even treat the skin itself.
Best Acne Treatments for Women
Adult acne is treated differently than acne that affects younger skin because it often requires more invasive treatment and longer treatment sessions. Some of the most effective acne-clearing solutions for women include: photofacial treatments; non-ablative laser skin resurfacing; and ablative laser skin resurfacing.
Photofacial Treatments: Photofacials are the one of the mildest forms of skin rejuvenation treatments that help to treat redness, skin discoloration and acne scars. These treatments can help to reduce the appearance of freckles and ages spots, and also provide some relief from frequent breakouts. Ultimately, these facials help to reduce inflammation and make skin cells much healthier.
Non-Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing: This skin resurfacing treatment works by emitting pulsed light directly on the skin’s surface and breaking down the damaged tissues. The fractional laser skin resurfacing procedure is the most popular treatment for acne sufferers and those who are experiencing premature signs of aging.
Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing: Women who are suffering from frequent acne breakouts because of embedded cysts and painful lesions may benefit from the ablative laser skin resurfacing treatment. This laser penetrates deeply into the skin to break down damaged cells and also helps remove the top layer of the skin. This procedure does involve a significant amount of downtime as the skin heals, but can be particularly effective at getting rid of painful cysts and bumps that are causing the frequent acne flare-ups.
Skincare Basics for Women with Adult Acne
Most women who are undergoing acne treatments or using topical creams and lotions experience redness, inflammation and severe drying of the skin. Taking care of the skin during the treatment process is essential for improving the effects of results and reducing the risk of further damaging the skin. Some simple changes in the skincare regimen may include:
- Applying an emollient-rich, sunscreen infused moisturizer daily
- Reducing the use of salicylic acid and glycolic acid-based products (except to get rid of excess oil)
- Using noncomedogenic skin and hair care products
- Staying out of the direct sunlight
- Avoiding tanning beds and tanning lamps completely
- Washing the skin lightly with a mild facial cleanser
- Avoiding deep exfoliating masks and scrubs that can aggravate the skin
While women can address acne flare-ups with hormone therapy and topical retinoids, some may need more intensive treatments. There are now several cosmetic procedures available that can help eliminate acne cysts and damaged skin, and rejuvenate the face overall.
Published: 02/13/2009, Last Updated: 02/13/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.