Acne 101: Your Guide to Managing Adult Acne in Men

If you have found this page, then chances are you are in your 30s or 40s and are struggling with adult acne–or maybe someone you know does. You may find it ridiculous and surprising that even at this age, acne can still cause problems when you may have believed that this unsightly skin condition only affects teens. Sadly, acne can make an appearance even when you have graduated from your teenage years. Read on to know more about this topic and the different adult acne treatments in Singapore available for men.

Adult Acne in Men

Adult acne is a skin condition in men and women over the age of 25 that occurs when the skin becomes inflamed and develops blackheads, cysts, and pimples in certain areas of the body, particularly the face, neck, and back. In men, persistent acne breakouts can happen and may be concentrated on the jawline, back, and neck.

Having a thorough understanding of the usual causes of adult acne in men is important to its management and prevention. The most common underlying factors that cause its development are:

  • Diet: The choices of food and beverages that you include in your daily meals can have a serious impact on your skin’s health. A diet that is packed with dairy products, processed sugars, and unhealthy fats can influence your body to produce excess sebum in the skin’s sebaceous glands, which can eventually be a cesspool for bacteria, dirt, and dead skin cells resulting in clogged pores and acne. If you love dairy, particularly milk, your acne may be due to this as milk has been found by studies to have hormones that also affect the overproduction of oil in the skin.
  • Genes: Acne can be passed on through genetics. Expect that there is a huge chance for you to develop acne in your adulthood if it is present in your family history. Your genes play a significant factor in influencing the function of your sebaceous glands and your body’s capability to shed dead skin cells. If you have large pores and have overactive sebaceous glands, then you are more prone to have blocked pores resulting in acne.
  • Environment: External factors found in your surroundings can have a bad effect on your skin. These include humidity, pollution, as well as certain chemicals that are harsh on the skin. Men who are constantly exposed to high levels of dirt, industrial chemicals, or oil may experience more bouts with adult acne.
  • Hormones: Similar to women, adult acne in men may be due to hormonal fluctuations. An important hormone when it comes to the production of oil is testosterone, which is the primary sex hormone. When there are changes in a man’s hormones, the levels of testosterone can rise and trigger the oil glands to produce more sebum. This can block pores, trap bacteria and dirt, and lead to skin inflammation resulting in breakouts of acne.
  • Medication: Certain medications like anticonvulsants, antidepressants, lithium, and anabolic steroids used for building muscles, can trigger the production of more sebum and develop acne. If you have been taking any of these medications and are suffering from persistent acne breakouts, you may want to consult with your doctor to find alternatives and see if these can help relieve your skin from acne inflammations.
  • Poor skincare: Some men may not be as particular to the products that they use on their skin. It is imperative that you are careful when choosing the products you apply to your skin as they may not be suitable for your skin type. There are many “skincare” products available in the market that still have ingredients that are harsh to the skin. This can bring irritation and form acne. Also, if you are too much of a cleanliness freak and tend to wash your face frequently in a day, this may contribute to acne formation as you strip the natural oils in your skin. Remember to cleanse moderately, use gentle skincare products, and avoid touching your skin so as not to aggravate it and worsen your acne.
  • Stress: Stress is another factor that affects the hormones in the body and causes acne development. The hormone that is responsible for stimulating the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum is called cortisol. The more that the body is exposed to stressful situations, the more cortisol is being released leading to blackheads, whiteheads, cysts or pimples to form.

Treatments for Adult Acne in Singapore

There are many approaches that can be explored when it comes to adult acne treatments in Singapore. While a one-size-fits-all method does not exist, the management and treatment for your acne can be customised according to its root causes and severity. Below are some treatments that are effective in reducing acne and improve the skin:

  • Oral medications: Antibiotics, hormonal therapy, and oral retinoids are treatments that are taken in the form of a medicine.
  • Antibiotics, such as doxycycline or tetracycline, are often prescribed to target bacterial growth and reduce skin inflammation. Antibiotics used to deal with active acne are potent and may have side effects, like antibiotic resistance or gastrointestinal issues.
  • Hormonal therapy is administered by taking medications like spironolactone to address hormonal imbalances in men. Spironolactone helps in lessening the production of sebum in the skin by blocking the effects of testosterone.
  • Oral retinoids: This treatment is best recommended for acne that are cystic in nature or those with severe conditions. For persistent acne, isotretinoin is commonly prescribed, but it is usually the last resort as it has severe side effects that may affect the skin and, in the worst case scenario, damage the liver.
  • Professional treatments: Professional treatments are treatments like chemical peels, extractions, and laser therapy. These are performed by dermatologists or licensed aestheticians as these require the handling of powerful chemicals and devices that should be administered with extreme care and caution.
  • Topical treatments: Topical treatments that are commonly used in treating adult acne are benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids.
  • Benzoyl peroxide works by targeting and killing the bacteria causing the acne and minimises the inflammation in the skin. It can be applied to the skin in the form of cleansers, creams, or gels.
  • Salicylic acid works by exfoliating the skin to unclog the pores from trapped bacteria, dirt, and oil. This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) can be used regularly to lessen the occurrence of blackheads and whiteheads as well as for future breakout preventions.
  • Retinoids like adapalene or tretinoin are topical treatments that have a proven track record of effectively treating acne. Retinoids work by speeding the turnover of the skin cells, which helps avoid blocked pores and promotes exfoliation of dead skin. Retinoids also protect the skin by minimising inflammation and improving its texture.

Conclusion

Adult acne in men can be stubborn and frustrating to deal with. However, there are many treatments that can be done to keep acne from forming and plaguing your skin. Having a proper understanding of its causes can help you avoid the things that can trigger their development and choosing the right healthcare provider to care for your acne prone skin is one step to achieve skin clarity. Visit One Face Clinic now to start your journey to clear skin.

Dr David Ng

One Face Clinic

1 Tras Link #02-03 Orchid Hotel

Singapore 078867

https://onefaceskincare.com

+65 6222 2262

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