Adult Acne Myths
Although many people assume that acne is a problem that only teenagers experience, that is simply not the case. 25% of all adults experience adult acne. What was embarrassing as a teenager can be downright frustrating as an adult, especially if your skin has a history of being relatively problem free. These days, there are many myths about adult acne. That is why we are here to set the record straight.
Myth: Eating Chocolate Caused My Acne
It is widely agreed that diet does have an impact on the presence of adult acne. However, it is usually unfair and inaccurate to blame the nightly chocolate fix. In fact, any food with a high glycemic index can worsen acne, which means that refined carbohydrates such as those found in breads and pastas can lead to those unwanted pimples on your face.
But it isn’t just your diet that can lead to an acne outbreak. Stress can create a hormonal imbalance that results in a pimple on the worst possible day. And many women experience adult acne as they transition into menopause. This is due to the hormonal shifts linked to the increase in estrogen during this time.
When it comes to chocolate, though, most professionals agree that dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70% or higher will not aggravate your acne, since higher cocoa percentages mean lower glycemic indexes.
Myth: I Didn’t Have Teenage Acne So I Won’t Have Adult Acne
Although many of us wish this were the case, that is simply not true. Unfortunately, the issues that cause acne as a teenager–changes in hormone levels, stress, diet– are pretty much the same issues that cause acne as an adult. However, adult acne is not as commonly thought of due to the fact that, for many people, the fluctuating hormone levels have leveled out by the time they reach adulthood.
However, women run a much higher risk of adult acne than men. This is due in part to the many opportunities that exist for a woman’s hormone levels to change during adulthood. Becoming pregnant and starting or stopping hormonal birth control are all times when hormones may become imbalanced, resulting in the appearance of adult acne. So, unfortunately, whether or not you had acne as a teenager, there is still a chance, especially for women, that you could develop acne as an adult.
Myth: Acne Is My New Normal
The good news is that you do not have to live with adult acne for the rest of your life. At Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey, we have experience with both teen and adult acne. Although the best treatment is prevention, we are adept at offering a wide variety of treatment options depending on the severity and location of the acne, as well as your unique needs. Rest assured, acne does not have to be your new normal.
So if you reside in New York or New Jersey and are seeking help with your adult acne, do not hesitate to contact us.