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ADULT ACNE: WHEN WRINKLES MEET PIMPLES
Suffering from stubborn acne in your 30s and 40s? Keep sane and follow these doctor approved tips
If you hoped that the word acne would cease to exist in your dictionary after crossing your 20s, only to be greeted with deeper, a lot more painful and cystic acne, you have our complete sympathy. Nothing can be as irritating as dealing with those first signs of ageing and acne at the same time. “I see a surge in the number of people suffering from adult acne. Reasons such as a sedentary lifestyle, stress and addiction to junk food can often lead to hormonal disturbances and trigger acne,” says dermatologist Dr Kiran Lohia.
Agrees dermatologist Dr Rajat Kandhari, as he says, “Contrary to popular belief, adult acne is a discrete entity and may have the onset after 25 or 30 years of age or may linger on till 40s and even 50s in some people who have already had acne. The acne typically occurs around the jawline and is resistant to treatment,” he says.
The common reasons that cause those stubborn zits are hormonal undercurrents in the form of PCOD and thyroid
disease. “Sometimes, excessive use of cosmetic that block the pore can also lead to acne. Cosmetics that have crossed their expiry dates are also big culprits. Smokers also become more prone to adult acne,” says Dr Lohia. TREATING ADULT ACNE
Once the cause of your acne has been determined, your dermatologist will begin your treatment. You will also have to follow a proper skin care routine chalked out by the specialist.
Find the cause: To determine the exact cause of your acne, you might have to undergo a few blood tests. “The PCOS panel should be done on the second or the third day of your period, which includes LH, FSH, DHEA-S, DHT, free testosterone, fasting and postprandial glucose and insulin, prolactin, 17-OH progesterone, TSH, FT4, FT3 and a pelvic ultrasound,” says Dr Lohia. Oral and topical treatment:
Treatment involves not only the usual medical treatment with topical and oral antibiotics, but also oral retinoids at times, as they help in treatment of resistant acne, although it should only be considered in individuals not planning conception. “These drugs should be taken under strict supervision of a dermatologist,” says Dr Kandhari.
A change in your diet can also help in reducing acne. Avoid food items that have a high glycemic index (foods that stimulate insulin surges) such as donuts, sweets, pizzas, and burgers. Insulin stimulate the cortisol axis causing more zits. Control the intake of chocolate and dairy products. Also avoid whey protein as it is derived from dairy. Modify your lifestyle:
Regular exercise will keep your weight and your insulin levels in control. It will prevent aggravation of acne. Avoid smoking. Have a nutritious meal with plenty of organic food items. Have plenty of fluids. Get an ultrafiltration
water system: It will help avoid endocrine disrupters from fertilisers, pesticides and preservatives in food and water. Go for hydrafacials:
Consider hydrafacials to clean out those pores so that they don’t turn into acne. “Hydrafacials cleanses and exfoliates skin and extracts impurities. They also infuses the skin with key nutrients including antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid,” says Dr Lohia.