Why Do I Still Get Acne?

Acne can really be a confidence killer, especially as an adult. Not only can it leave scars, but, depending on the type of acne you deal with, it can be painful as well.

At Atlantic Dermatology, Kenneth Warrick, MD, FAAD, and his team want you to love the skin you’re in. It’s important to find out what’s causing your acne so that you and your provider can come up with a proper treatment plan to kick your acne once and for all.

So what exactly is acne?

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. It occurs when the pores in your skin become clogged with dirt, oil, or bacteria. This results in a pimple, or blemish, forming that can potentially be large and painful. 

Acne usually pops up during the teenage years. Though teenagers are more prone to develop acne because of hormone levels, acne can continue well into your adult years, even into your 30s, 40s, and 50s.

The truth about adult acne

If you struggled with acne during your teens, the cause of acne then may not be what’s causing it now. To be able to make a plan to treat this skin condition, it’s good to examine what may be at the root of those pimples currently.

Hormone levels

Women tend to suffer from hormonal acne more than men because of fluctuating hormones. These types of breakouts could be triggered by your menstrual cycles or pregnancy. If you have recently changed birth control medication, it can also be the culprit of any new acne flare-ups. All these factors can influence the production of excess oils, which increases your likelihood of developing a blemish.

Stress

If you are under constant stress in your life, it may be contributing to your acne flare-ups. When your body is undergoing stressful conditions, hormones will fluctuate, and your body will produce more oil, raising the risk of a breakout.

Hair and skin products

It’s important to check the ingredients labels on your hair and skin care products. If you use products that have high oil content, it’s likely they will end up clogging your pores and giving you breakouts. Each night, it’s also important to remove any makeup you may wear to avoid clogging your pores. 

There can be other risk factors for acne, too, like diet, genetics, side effects of certain medications, or poor sleep.

The bottom line

If you’ve been struggling with acne, many factors could be causing it. It’s important to narrow down what you think is behind your breakouts, so you can start to get rid of those pesky blemishes. 

If you’re ready to take the next step to fight against your acne, call our office at 843-399-9965, or book an appointment online today.