Acne is very common in teenagers and younger adults. About 95% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne to some extent. Acne is most common in girls from the ages of 14 to 17, and in boys from the ages of 16 to 19. Most people can have acne on and off for several years, but often improves as they get older. However adult acne is increasing. Studies indicate that between 40 and 55 percent of the adult population age 20-40 are diagnosed with low grade, persistent acne and oily skin. About 3% of adults have acne over the age of 35.
This chart demonstrates 40% of people with acne, do nothing!! Why is this??
When it comes to skin and acne… To be honest I breezed through my teenage years and early twenties without much more than a few spots on my forehead, which quickly disappeared, with a little help from biactol! Wow who remembers that stuff? For those that don’t, it was a face wash to help with spots
However, at aged 25, the unthinkable happened; I began to be plagued by spots.
“Spots started on my chin, then cheeks and came up around that time of the month.”
After a few months they covered my chin, cheeks, jawline – rising up into hard angry lumps, which to quite frankly hurt. The impact was much more than skin deep and, seemingly, inexplicable.
“I was miserable, embarrassed and self-conscious,
I grew depressed, low and very emotional.”
As the owner of a beauty salon and someone who prided herself on knowing how to look good, my shame was all the more marked.
Extreme as it sounds, I am just one of an increasing number of people in this country affected by adult acne, an affliction doctors and dermatologists agree is on the rise, largely due to an increase in stress and poor diet.
It is like an epidemic. We have so many sufferers, in this country. It is important to acknowledge that it is a skin disease. A study of 92 private dermatology clinics last year found a 200 per cent rise in the number of adults seeking specialist acne treatment. A quarter of those who visit their doctor have skin problems – from acne to psoriasis or eczema – and women are five times more likely than men to be affected by late-life acne, due to fluctuating hormones during pregnancy, the menstrual cycle and changing methods of contraception (the pill, coil or patches) – Cameron Diaz and Victoria Beckham have, notably, suffered.
Acne is caused by the over-production of oil from sebaceous glands, usually driven by changes in hormone levels, leading to blocked and inflamed pores.
Personally, I believe our fixation with looking young is partly to blame. Genetics, diet, changes in hormones and stress, can all play their part, I believe choosing the wrong skincare is having a big influence. We are so conscious with looking younger that we begin investing in anti-aging skincare regimes.
These creams can be very rich and overload the skin and cause acne, in acne-prone individuals. Trying oil-free products could help…
Low-level changes in stress have long been linked to problematic skin as the hormone cortisol contributes to breakouts. Stress could be fuelling the rise, especially in women who are working full-time while simultaneously raising families. There are so many triggers; perceived shortness of time, general instability in lots of parts of the world, women being pressured at both work and home.
Mounting stress was definitely integral to the onset of my acne. Skin is a reflection of what is going on in the inside and I was burning the candle at both ends. I was working long hours, partying and not sleeping enough. It was definitely a contributing factor.
As well as causing physical scars, the emotional impact of poor skin can reverberate through relationships, work and home life. The British Skin Foundation found that 95 per cent of acne sufferers say it impacts their daily lives and 63 per cent experience lower self-confidence.
Diet and Lifestyle can play a massive part in your skin, as well as skincare. All avenues need to be looked at, not just covering with make up, as this will eventually just make things worse…
Dealing with acne is a long slog and there is no one quick fix, making dietary changes certainly will have a dramatic impact and so will skincare, but it is choosing the right one for the problem, not just because your friend uses it. Don’t go down the antibiotics or medication such as Roaccatane to treat acne, however in extreme cases maybe.
I created LA Skincare with acne sufferers in mind, it does help with anti aging too, but there is definitely a noticeable effect on spots and your skin feels clearer. www.LASkincare.co.uk
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