Adult acne affects 25% of men and 50% of women at some point in their adult lives. Acne can even go away for a decade or two, but come back later in life. This commonly happens to women after childbirth or during peri-menopause. When it comes to acne, there can be several different causes including excess oil production, bacteria within the skin, food sensitivities and even hormonal imbalances. Thankfully there are many ways that we can fight against adult acne!
How Do We Treat Acne?
I would advise against the use of the oral acne medications such as Accutane (also known as Isotretinoin) due to its many side effects. Accutane has been linked to side effects such as depression, seizures, joint & muscle pain, blurred vision, nausea, ulcerative colitis, liver damage, and birth defects.
I would further advise against long term use of antibiotics. Persistent use can create resistance in your body along with gut inflammation due to the antibiotics killing off healthy gut bacteria and causing yeast overgrowth.
Hormonal Balance
Your hormones can become imbalanced due to childbirth, birth control pills, toxins, or other factors. This imbalance can actually be an underlying cause of adult acne for many people. Hormone related acne tends to flare up in areas that are considered “hormonally sensitive”. This usually includes your cheeks, jawline, chin, and upper neck. In women with hormonal imbalance, flare-ups tend to occur before their menstrual period.
Treating an underlying hormonal imbalance will usually result in greatly reduced acne flare-ups. However, be aware that the conventional route of using birth control pills to reduce acne in women does not properly address the root cause of the issue and can come with many side effects and risks including an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Balancing your hormones with bio-identical hormones can address the underlying cause without the risks associated with the foreign substances found in birth control pills. Laboratory testing and symptom analysis should be considered to determine if hormonal imbalance is present.
Blu-U
One of the most effective treatments is called Blu-U. Different wavelengths of light can provide different medical benefits. Certain wavelengths of blue light will kill bacteria, help to clear up infections, and even help to heal wounds. The Blu-U treatment uses the blue light’s anti-microbial properties to reduce the amount of bacteria in the pores. Blu-U can be made even more effective by combining it with a topical solution called Levulan which is activated by the Blu-U light for an even deeper penetration.
PDT (Photo Dynamic Therapy)
This treatment combines the use of ALA, Amino-Levulinic Acid, and BLU-U light to shrink oil producing glands and reduce acne. Photo Dynamic Therapy is also extremely effective in treating broken capillaries and acne associated with Rosacea and targeting actinic keratosis and sun damage. IPL treatments can also help to improve skin texture. It does this through collagen stimulation and by reducing pore size.
What About Acne Scars?
Once you get your acne under control, you may wish to address the acne scars left behind. We can address this through the use of various advanced laser and aesthetic treatments which dramatically reduce the appearance of acne scars. Every situation is different and requires a customized plan. This treatment plan can include Microneedling with PRP, Laser Genesis, Pearl, Pearl Fractional, as well as medical grade skincare to break up the scar tissue and resurface the skin.
If You Suffer From Adult Acne…We Can Help You!
At my practice, my focus is always to not just look for a ‘quick fix’ to a symptom or ailment; it is to find the root cause and try to address it. A consultation with one of our specialists will help determine which course of treatment is best suitable for your needs. To request a consultation, please call (281) 313-7435 today, or use our Online Request Form.
