Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Adult Acne: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

By Alexander Chase

The common understanding that acne is simply a teen problem is false. In fact, many adults suffer from this condition, which is appropriately called, adult acne. Nearly 80 percent of all adults in their twenties and thirties suffer from acne, particularly women. In fact, this is a major problem among adult women because women are statistically more likely to suffer from adult acne than men. The cause of adult acne is essentially the same as teen acne; however, in some ways the mechanisms that trigger it are different. So, let's look at a few causes of adult acne and how to treat it holistically.

Adult Acne causes

Here are several causes of adult acne, particularly in women.

Hormones -- Hormones is a problem when it comes to women. Many women suffer from acne because of Hormonal swings. This can occur when women go through hormonal changes due to menstruation, stopping the pill, or pregnancy.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Another cause that of adult acne in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome. Excessive production of male hormones is the source of this disorder. Because of the hormonal imbalances that occur with this medical problem, many women who suffer from it end up dealing with acne as well.

Medications and Chemicals - Medications and chemicals can also be a cause of adult acne in some cases. There are a variety of medications that are known to cause acne in adults, such as anabolic steroids, medications for epilepsy, and medications that contain rifampin, iodine, and lithium. Some chemicals, such as chlorine can also cause acne in adults as well.

Friction and Pressure - In some cases, friction or pressure to the skin can also cause adult acne to breakout as well. Often it occurs where backpack or purse straps chaff the skin or even where something is held against the face, such as a violin.

Holistic Treatment of Adult Acne

If you are suffering from adult acne, treating it holistically is often your best choice. Surely, there are many acne medications available on the market, but many have bothersome side effects and others can cause additional problems. With these many side effects, it's no wonder holistic treatments have gain in popularity in recent years. Holistic regiments can include eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water, eating plenty of whole grain and other low-glycemic foods, taking both herbal and vitamin supplements, like chlorophyll and echinacea are all helpful in treating acne. - 16732

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