This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods for adult acne.

<Things you should know> The correct knowledge about "acne": Explanation of the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods for "adult acne"

Acne that occurs during puberty and adult acne differ in their location and causes. To prevent adult acne, it is important to correctly understand the causes and take appropriate measures according to the symptoms. This article explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of adult acne, supervised by a dermatologist.

Characteristics of adult acne

Characteristics of adult acne​

What are the characteristics of adult acne? Let's take a look at the differences from adolescent acne, as well as its causes and mechanisms.

About adult acne

Adult acne refers to acne that primarily develops after the age of 20. While adolescent acne is often seen on areas with high sebum secretion, such as the forehead and bridge of the nose, adult acne is characterized by its tendency to appear along the jawline, including the cheeks, chin, and neck.

The difference between adult acne and teenage acne

The difference between adult acne and teenage acne isn't just about the areas where it tends to appear.
Adolescent acne is a type of acne that is considered physiological and usually disappears after 3-4 years.

Adult acne, on the other hand, has complex causes and is thought to be deeply related to lifestyle. Therefore, it often recurs. Furthermore, it's common to unconsciously touch acne, which can leave scars.

Causes of adult acne

The following are some of the causes of adult acne:

cause
  • Irregular lifestyle
  • lack of sleep
  • Disordered eating habits
  • overwork
  • stress
  • Dry skin

Hormones are also one of the causes of adult acne. Hormonal balance tends to be disrupted by various factors such as overwork, irregular lifestyle, and unbalanced diet. It is thought that this disrupts the body's balance, which in turn disrupts the skin's renewal cycle, making it easier to develop acne.

Furthermore, a weakened skin barrier function due to dryness can also contribute to acne. Old dead skin cells don't slough off smoothly, becoming thick and clogging pores, leading to the development of adult acne.

Causes of adult acne by gender

Excessive irritation to the skin can also cause adult acne. For example, men need to be careful when shaving. When shaving, use clean tools and shaving cream to reduce irritation.

For women, makeup can sometimes be a cause of acne. It is important to thoroughly wash off makeup with an appropriate cleanser. If you already have acne, refrain from wearing makeup, or if you do wear makeup, avoid oil-based cosmetics and use products that are labeled as non-comedogenic to prevent worsening.

Furthermore, adult acne in women is deeply connected to the menstrual cycle. Many women experience an increase or worsening of acne before their period, which is due to an increase in the secretion of the female hormone progesterone. Progesterone increases sebum secretion, making women more prone to developing adult acne.

How adult acne develops

While the mechanisms behind adult acne and adolescent acne are the same, adult acne is more likely to occur when the body's rhythm is disrupted for some reason, such as an irregular lifestyle or overwork. Disrupting the body's balance disrupts the skin's regeneration cycle, increasing the likelihood of acne breakouts.

Types of adult acne

​Types of adult acne

Adult acne can be categorized into the following types based on its symptoms. To prevent it from worsening, it's important to address it early, at the whitehead stage.

kinds

  • Whiteheads (closed comedones)

    These raised bumps, caused by clogged pores and waste products, are also called whiteheads or leukoconjunctivitis, and are commonly known as white pimples.

  • Blackheads (open blisters)

    Also known as black comedones, these are pimples with a black tip. The contents of the comedone that protrudes from the skin's surface oxidize and turn black.

  • Red pimples (inflammatory pimples)

    This is a whitehead that has worsened and become inflamed. It is characterized by being easily noticeable and difficult to treat.

  • Yellow acne (pustular comedones)

    This is a pimple that has become infected and filled with yellow pus.

  • Purple acne

    After inflammation occurs, the surrounding tissue is destroyed, and to repair it, new blood vessels are formed, or scar tissue is created due to the inflammation of the acne, resulting in a reddish-purple appearance. Sometimes, when internal bleeding occurs, it is commonly referred to as purple acne.

Areas where adult acne is likely to develop

​Areas where adult acne is likely to develop

Adolescent acne is commonly seen on the so-called T-zone, such as the forehead and nose, while adult acne frequently occurs on the U-zone, such as the cheeks, chin, and around the mouth. In men, acne around the mouth is often caused by shaving. Besides the face, it can also be seen on the chest and back.

Is it different from adult acne? Here are some similar symptoms (medical names).

Is it different from adult acne? Here are some similar symptoms (medical names).

The following are some conditions and symptoms that closely resemble adult acne:

Symptoms

  • Folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles)

    This is a disease in which bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus infect the superficial layers of hair follicles, causing inflammation. Small, reddish pustules appear, accompanied by mild itching, and can sometimes occur on the scalp.

  • boil (boil)

    This is a progression of folliculitis, where inflammation and pus form in the deeper parts of the hair follicle and the surrounding area. A raised tonsil stone is visible in the center. The skin hardens, becomes throbbing with pain, and is accompanied by redness and heat.

    Classification of bacterial infections of hair follicles

    Classification of bacterial infections of hair follicles (from Hiroshi Shimizu's "New Dermatology, 2nd Edition")

  • splenic granuloma

    These are small, raised bumps, 1-2 mm in diameter, that are white or yellowish-white in color. They are especially common around the eyes. Although often mistaken for "fatty lumps," they are actually made of keratin.

  • sebaceous cyst

    These are benign tumors that commonly occur on the face and neck. They are typically 1-2 cm in diameter, but some can grow to over 10 cm. Pressing them firmly may release a foul-smelling substance. Usually, there are no noticeable symptoms, but redness and swelling may appear as the condition worsens.

*For more information about similar symptoms...

This article explains how to prevent and treat adult acne.

This article explains how to prevent and treat adult acne.

When it comes to preventing and improving adult acne, it's important to review not only your skincare routine but also your lifestyle habits. Let's look at some specific methods.

General prevention and treatment methods

Common methods for preventing and improving adult acne include the following:

  • Get enough sleep

    Sleep is thought to be related to the worsening of acne. Since skin cells are repaired and regenerated while you sleep at night, try to get enough quality sleep.
    Sleeping in late disrupts your sleep schedule, and exposure to bright light right before bed can interfere with natural sleep. Maintain a regular routine and spend your evenings under warm-colored lighting to promote smoother sleep.

  • Review your eating habits

    If you're on an extreme diet and not getting enough nutrients from your food, or if your nutritional balance is off and it affects your bowel movements, it can lead to the onset or worsening of adult acne.
    While a clear link between specific foods and adult acne hasn't been established, a balanced diet is important for healthy skin. In particular, it's a good idea to actively consume vitamins, which are thought to be helpful in preventing and improving adult acne.

  • Don't let stress build up.

    Stress itself weakens the skin's immune system, which can worsen acne inflammation and reduce the skin's regenerative capacity. Furthermore, stress can manifest as unconsciously picking at acne or sleep deprivation, which can exacerbate adult acne. Learn to manage stress effectively by finding ways to relax and get plenty of rest.

  • Reviewing your face-washing routine

    Dry skin can also contribute to adult acne, so be careful not to over-wash your face. Aim for two facial washes a day, using a well-lathered cleanser and washing gently without rubbing or irritating your skin. In particular, avoid using facial cleansers containing scrubs, as they can damage the skin.
    After washing your face, replenish moisture with thorough moisturizing care to maintain the skin's barrier function. Using non-comedogenic cosmetics containing ingredients that are less likely to cause acne is also recommended.

Main prevention and improvement methods for men and women

The key points for prevention and improvement vary depending on the items you use in your daily life. Let's look at this separately for men and women.

  • For men

    Men need to be careful when shaving. The irritation from shaving can damage the skin's barrier function, making it more prone to acne. As razor blades and electric shavers become dull, skin damage increases, so it's important to change the blades frequently.
    Before shaving, wet your skin with water and apply shaving cream or lotion to soften the beard before you begin shaving. After shaving, moisturize with a cream or lotion to prevent dryness.

  • In the case of women

    For women, makeup can sometimes worsen acne. If you already have adult acne, it's best to avoid oily cosmetics if possible. It's also effective to use foundation sparingly and emphasize point makeup to draw attention away from the acne. Take steps to minimize irritation to areas prone to adult acne.
    Also, using cleansing wipes can be irritating to the skin. It's important to choose a cleanser that is as gentle as possible, depending on the makeup you're wearing that day. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent makeup residue from clogging your pores.

Methods for preventing and improving forehead, chin, and cheek problems.

There are specific points to be aware of when adult acne is likely to occur on the forehead, chin, and cheeks. Let's look at each one individually.

  • amount

    Adult acne can also occur on the forehead, though not as severe as adolescent acne. Particular care should be taken if bangs cover the forehead, as this can easily irritate it.

  • jaw

    The jawline, from the chin to the temples, is a common area for adult acne. Be careful not to unconsciously touch your chin, as this can irritate acne and worsen it.

  • cheek

    Besides foundation, UV exposure can also worsen the condition. It's important to protect yourself from UV rays with sunscreen and to keep your foundation makeup minimal.

Adult acne has worsened? What to do if it's worsened.

Adult acne has worsened? What to do if it's worsened.

Early treatment is crucial for adult acne. In some cases, self-care may not improve the condition, and it may even worsen. To prevent further deterioration, consult a specialist as soon as possible.

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Professor Yuki Horiuchi
Supervised by: Dr. Yuki Horiuchi, Director of Akihabara Skin Clinic
After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at Tokyo Women's Medical University, she worked at dermatology and cosmetic clinics in Tokyo before opening Akihabara Skin Clinic in 2007. She is a certified specialist of the Japanese Dermatological Association, a director of the Japanese Society for Medical Hair Removal, and an advisor to the A-Care Association. She is a member of the Japanese Dermatological Association, the Japanese Society for Aesthetic Dermatology, the Japanese Society for Laser Medicine, and the Japanese Society for Anti-Aging Medicine, among others.

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