Affecting up to 50 million people each year, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States.
This condition is the result of pores in your skin being blocked by oil, dead skin cells, and other materials, which leads to pimples, bumps, whiteheads, blackheads, and other issues. Acne is a common problem for teenagers, but many adults find themselves dealing with it for a variety of reasons.
If you live near Yuma, Tucson, or Tempe, Arizona, and you’re dealing with acne and other skin problems, you can get help from our skilled aesthetic and medical staff at Peach Skin & Laser. Our treatments offer you the latest technology and techniques combined with an experienced team ready to help you look your best.
Let’s look at how acne affects you, what factors increase your chances of dealing with it, and who’s most likely to have it.
How does acne affect your skin?
When your pores are blocked, it can lead to different types of acne, such as:
- Blackheads: open bumps on your skin filled with excess oil and dead skin with dark spots
- Whiteheads: bumps that are closed by oil and dead skin
- Pustules: pus-filled pimples resembling whiteheads surrounded by a red ring
- Papules: small, inflamed red or pink bumps
- Nodules: large, painful, solid pimples located deep in your skin
- Cysts: another type of pus-filled pimple that can cause scars
- Fungal acne: itchy, inflamed bumps caused by an excess of yeast in hair follicles
Both acne and its scars can have an impact on your appearance. Severe acne can leave lasting scars on your skin if it penetrates the skin deep enough.
What factors increase your chances of getting acne?
The risk of acne rises when dealing with triggers like hormonal changes, stress, specific diets (foods high in carbohydrates, like breads, bagels, and chips), and medications like corticosteroids, testosterone, and lithium. Oily lotions and creams can also increase your risks, as well as a family history of acne, and friction or pressure on your skin.
Who’s most likely to deal with acne?
The most common age group for acne is teenagers who are still developing and are dealing with a surge of androgen hormones like testosterone, which is produced by men and women.
However, hormones can play a part in adults at many ages, such as when women are menstruating or pregnant, or the reduction of hormones as people age (especially while women are going through menopause).
People may also experience acne as a symptom of other conditions, like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
So even though teens are more likely to deal with acne, people of any age can suffer from it for a variety of reasons. If you’re dealing with acne, regardless of how mild or severe, and you want to be rid of it, contact Peach Skin & Laser today to get healthier-looking skin.