It’s not just hormonal teenagers that get acne. About half of all adult women suffer from acne, and a quarter of all men. It’s important to realize that using the acne creams designed for young oily skin is not always the ideal way to get adult acne treatment. Most adults with acne have normal or even dry skin, and the harsh drying agents that can be perfect for teenage acne care can cause premature aging effects when applied to older faces. So what sort of adult acne treatment is there?

Drugstores and pharmacies are a first place to look. While they often have a whole “acne care” section, this rarely contains adult acne treatments. The area of the store with moisturizers and anti-aging creams probably has quite a few products that are more suitable and are designed specifically for adult acne. The cosmetics counter beautician may be able to offer you some specific advice.

You may want to see a dermatologist, who will not only be able to offer you a more effective type of cream or lotion, but can also prescribe an oral medication. Sometimes oral antibiotics like tetracycline, erthythromyicin, or doxycyline are helpful, although it depends on the type of acne you have. Accutane is prescribed for some people, although it can have many side effects and causes birth defects when taken by pregnant women.

There are also other techniques for adult acne treatment, like microdermabrasion. This is a way of removing dead skin cells from the top layer of skin, usually by spraying the skin with fine crystals. It leaves the face temporarily quite red but usually this clears up in an hour or so. Microdermabrasion is also used for removing mild acne scars. A chemical peel is another alternative. This is similar to microdermabrasion, but uses a solution of chemicals to remove the top layer of skin cells. Sometimes this is done to a deeper level and will require anesthesia. Patients must avoid the sun for two weeks after a chemical peel, and the skin must be monitored for swelling and blisters. A third, similar method, used both for adult acne treatment and removal of scars, is laser resurfacing. Like chemical peels and microdermabrasion, it removes layers of skin cells allowing new healthy growth to occur. Laser treatment can be used on deeper layers of skin, and normally causes some swelling and discomfort after the procedure.

Many of these treatments can be expensive, although your health insurance may cover it in some cases. Be sure to look into all the side effects of an adult acne treatment, and do your research to choose the method that’s right for you.

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