 More than half of all adult women and about a quarter of adult men have acne. Moreover, these effects appear to be rising. As the world begins to wake up to adult acne, it is becoming clear that the psychological, social and physical effects of this condition do not reduce with age.
It’s not exactly known why adult acne seems to be on the rise. The researches showed that the mean age of patients treated for acne had increased significantly over the course of a decade, from 20 years to 27 years. The incidences of adult acne are increasing; women are simply more concerned about their skin than they used to be.
Whether one’s acne lasts from adolescence to adulthood or strikes suddenly after 30 and have physical and psychological consequences. Dermatologists said that adult acne is more likely to leave permanent physical acne scars as the skin ages and loses collagen; it is much harder for it to back to normal after tissue damage.
Psychological scarring is much harder to treat. For many years, the prevailing perception was that older acne patients were less affected by their condition than younger patients, having accepted its symptoms as part of life. Many of these people felt too ashamed to step forward to get treatment. Adults with acne found themselves suffering silently — and most importantly, privately.
The researches showed that public conceptions are changing. Dermatologists have noted an increase in the number of adult patients coming to them for help. As the world's conceptions shifts to include adults in the group of acne-afflicted people, more adults are coming forward with their skin problems. In fact, today's adult acne sufferer is learning to be proactive.
As we begin to recognize acne as a condition for all ages, we can find better ways to fight it. Doctors are beginning to see acne as an adult problem. Fifty years ago, acne was just an adolescent problem. In addition, as public awareness increases, more people are likely to consider seeking treatment — and take the first steps toward an acne-free existence.
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