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Acne and wrinkles: A cruel irony of the skin

It seems so unfair, but it is true. Many people I see for BOTOX and fillers at SkinCare Physicians also complain about acne. Don’t despair, solutions exist to treat adult acne.

Adult acne affects 25% of men and 50% of women at some time in their adult lives. Just last week, I saw a woman who had clear skin as a teenager, and now at the age of 32 started to have painful blemishes on her chin and upper back. Later in the day, I saw a 41 year old man who started to break out at age 12, and is still waiting to grow out of it!

Some of the underlying factors of adult acne include stress, hormones, certain medications and cosmetics that lead to blocked pores, increased oil production and trapped bacteria.

There are several ways to battle these causes of blemishes:

1. Lose the washcloth and aggressive scrubs: Skin irritation can inflame your skin and be counterproductive. Using your fingertips, wash with gentle cleansers like Cetaphil, Neutrogena or SkinCare Prescription Ultra-Gentle Cleanser.
2. Look into a prescription cream: Topicals such as clindamycin, dapsone or benzoyl peroxide kill the bacteria and inflammation that are involved in acne. Topical retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin-A) and tazarotene (Tazorac) not only help to unplug pores, but also help fight the early signs of aging and fine wrinkling!
3. Consider an oral medication for deeper or more severe acne: Oral antibiotics, contraceptives, anti-androgens (spironolactone) and isotretinoin are all in the arsenal of therapies that dermatologists use successfully.
4. Schedule a treatment with a skilled aesthetician: A medical cleansing can improve the appearance of your skin through extractions and therapeutic masks. Glycolic peels are another terrific way to improve both acne and the signs of early photoaging.
5. Go high tech: Lasers are also used to fight acne! Blue light sources, such as the Tria Blue Light, kill bacteria. A more advanced laser, the Isolaz, utilizes pulsed light concurrently with vacuum pressure to mechanically clear clogged pores and destroy acne-causing bacteria with light. Treatments are painless and completely non-invasive.

For those who struggle with adult acne, know that you do not have to live this way! Come in to SkinCare Physicians in Boston and one of our medical dermatologists would be happy to customize a skin care regimen specifically for you.

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