Do You Have a Solution for Adult Acne?

Acne is something only teenagers get when they hit puberty – right? Wrong. Acne can strike at any age, even adults who are well past the hormonal changes of puberty.

Adult acne is tough to deal with when you don't know the root cause or how to treat it. The pimples and redness may have you hiding in your house and avoiding social situations.

But you don't have to hide anymore—the team at Meridian Plastic Surgery offers skin rejuvenation treatments that clear your skin and boost your self-confidence.

Dr. Mark S. Elliott and Dr. Lee K. Thornton are two board-certified plastic surgeons offering cosmetic procedures and surgical treatments to enhance your appearance and help you feel good about your skin and body.

Causes of adult acne

Anyone can develop acne as an adult, but it's more prevalent in women than men. You may experience occasional breakouts or constantly have redness and pimples all over your skin.

Some people are more prone to adult acne than others, especially those with acne in the family. Unfortunately, you can't change your genetics. There are other causes of adult acne as well, including:

• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Stress
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Certain medications
• Diet
• Skin and hair care products

Women going through menopause typically experience extreme hormone fluctuations that make them more prone to acne breakouts. However, men also are at risk for adult acne from medications and diet.

Identifying the cause of adult acne is the best way to avoid further breakouts. To keep your skin clear, you may need to change medications, develop a better skin care routine, or take hormone therapy.

Can home treatments help?

Some adults with mild to moderate acne may be able to care for breakouts with lifestyle changes and a good skin care routine – but that doesn't work for everyone. However, you could try home care first if you only have small pimples or mild breakouts.

The first step in managing acne is to wash your face daily to remove dirt and bacteria from your skin and pores. Choose a gentle cleanser that won't irritate your skin or make it too dry. Other remedies for adult acne include:

• Probiotics
• Aloe vera
• Vitamin A
• Tea tree oil
• Zinc
• Green tea extract

You may also choose to try over-the-counter acne products to fight off breakouts. While these products are suitable for mild acne, they won't help with deep, cystic acne that plagues many adults.

A good skin care routine, managing stress levels, and changing particular hair or skin products can help, but not everyone benefits from these changes. If you still have breakouts and are embarrassed about acne, our team provides professional treatments to clear your skin of pimples and redness.

Other treatments for adult acne

Meridian Plastic Surgery offers several cosmetic treatments to even your skin tone, remove acne scars, and reduce breakouts. We recommend treatments based on your skin type, acne form, and scarring severity.

We suggest one or multiple treatment types to give you a glowing, clear complexion. A few of the treatments we offer for bothersome acne include:

Forever Young BBL™

The Forever Young BBL treatment is a laser therapy that we use to treat various conditions, including acne. It uses broadband light to heat the skin and gently stimulate collagen and elastin production.

The result is smoother, more precise, and youthful skin in as little as one treatment session. It quickly eliminates unsightly acne scars and may prevent further breakouts.

Chemical peels

We use chemical peels to remove old, damaged skin and reveal the healthier, glowing skin underneath. Various forms of chemical peels are available, from simple lunchtime peels to invasive deep peels.

Our team evaluates your skin and specific goals to determine which chemical peel suits your needs.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is another effective treatment we offer for acne and scarring on the skin. During a microdermabrasion session, we use a specialized instrument to essentially "sand" off the top layers of skin to reveal a clearer complexion.

Microdermabrasion is a professional exfoliation that eliminates blackheads, acne, scarring, and enlarged pores for the glowing skin you love.

We may also suggest a HydraFacial™ or microneedling in conjunction with some of the above treatments for optimal results and reduced acne.

To learn more about our skin rejuvenation treatments, call Meridian Plastic Surgery today at 601-693-7742 or request an appointment on the website.