How To Get Rid Of Men’s Acne
Just like women, men should take care of their skin as well. These recommendations can be followed by anyone, and it should be understood that skincare does not differ just because you’re a man or a women.
The Most Effective Treatment Options
Since acne is hormone-related, you cant treat men who have breakouts the same way you do women. And vice versa.
In women, medications used to stabilize the level of hormones include birth control pills or a medicine called spironolactone, which basically blocks the effect of testosterone at the hair follicle.
We dont use those medications in men at all because while you could put a man on birth control, he wouldnt be happy about it, Dr. Vij says.
What is used in men instead? There are three main strategies:
Topical medications. We do use a lot of the same topical medications in men as in women, Dr. Vij says. And because mens skin tends to be a little more oily than womens skin, we can often be more aggressive and use stronger topical medications since their skin is a bit more robust. These may include over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide or prescription retinoids.
Antibiotics. The tide is turning away from using antibiotics to fight acne. Were realizing that chronic courses of antibiotics increase your risk of developing bacterial resistance to them. That becomes a problem when you get a severe infection, like a MRSA infection, and end up needing to be hospitalized and given IV antibiotics, Dr. Vij explains.
Thats why the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using the minimum amount of antibiotics for the shortest course possible.
Body Acne Can Be Treated
Maybe you have acne on places other than your face. Lots of people do. Back and body acne can be treated too.
You can buy body washes made specifically for body breakouts at your local drug store, Target, Wal-mart, etc. The most effective will contain benzoyl peroxide.
If OTC products don’t work, prescription medications are needed. Because it can be really hard to smear a cream over your own back, an oral acne medication might be prescribed.
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Dry Skin And Sun Exposure
It is a common misconception that sun helps clear acne. In reality, sun exposure can make acne worse, including acne on the chest. Sun exposure can lead to dehydration and dry out already dry skin, causing acne to form.
In these cases, acne forms because the body starts to produce more oil to help rehydrate the skin. A person with chest acne may want to consider non-pore clogging moisturizers and limiting direct sun exposure.
Skin: Condition: Infomation Isotretinoin
This is a highly effective treatment for severe or persistent acne and the improvements can be long-lasting in those who complete a course of treatment. It does, however, have the potential to cause a number of serious side effects and can be prescribed only under the supervision of a consultant dermatologist.
Most courses of isotretinoin last for four to six months during which time the skin usually becomes dry, particularly around the lips. Regular application of a lip balm can be helpful. Often, acne becomes a little worse for a few weeks before improvement occurs. The improvement is progressive throughout the course of treatment, so do not be disappointed if progress seems slow.
Isotretinoin can harm an unborn child. The government medicine safety agency has strict rules for doctors prescribing this medicine. Women enrol in a pregnancy prevention programme and need to have a negative pregnancy test prior to starting treatment. Pregnancy tests will be repeated every month during treatment and five weeks after completing the course of treatment. Effective contraception must be used for at least four weeks before treatment, whilst on treatment, and for at least four weeks afterwards.
It should be emphasised that many thousands of people have benefited from treatment with isotretinoin without serious side effects.
More detailed information on isotretinoin and its side effects can be found on the BAD website.
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Can I Prevent Acne
There’s no sure way to prevent acne. But these tips might help reduce the number and severity of your breakouts:
- Washing your skin is the most important thing you can do. It helps remove excess surface oils and dead skin cells that can clog your pores. But washing too much can cause damage by making your skin too dry or irritating acne thats already there.
- Remember to wash after exercising because sweat can clog your pores and make your acne worse. If you work around greasy food or oil, if you’ve been sweating from heat or from working hard, wash your face and other acne-prone areas as soon as possible.
- If you use skin products, such as lotions or makeup, look for ones that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic, which means that they don’t clog pores.
- If you use hair spray or styling gel, try to keep them away from your face as much as possible. Many hair products contain oils that can make acne worse. Try to use water-based products.
- If you get acne on areas such as your chest or back, avoid wearing tight clothes, which can rub and cause irritation.
Things To Know Before Treating Acne
Since there are varying degrees of acne, there are different treatment recommendations. The degree of acne varies from person to person and can come and go, getting better or worse without prediction. Before deciding on an acne treatment, consider these tips:
- The goal of treatment is to reduce breakouts, prevent new breakouts and limit acne scarring.
- Treatment plans are gradual and take time and patience.
- Being dedicated to the treatment plan is important, so you can see if the treatment is working or causing side effects.
- Do not pick at or irritate acne because this can cause more inflammation.
- Laser hair removal, waxing and exfoliating should be avoided during acne treatment.
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How Do I Treat Hormonal Acne
Based on the severity of your acne, different treatment options are available to reduce sebum production, pimple formation and painful inflammation:
- Blackheads and whiteheads: Topical cream .
- Inflammatory acne: Topical retinoid and/or topical antibiotic and/or benzoyl peroxide.
- Moderate to severe acne: Antibiotic and/or isotretinoin .
- Cystic acne: Steroid injection .
Does Acne Go Away With Age In Men And Women
Continued
The statics below can explain that there is always a chance for acne to occur at any age acne still found:
Even there is still a chance of developing pimples in elderly people. According to this survey, about 7.3 percents of participants and 15.3 percent of participants reported noticing acne in their 50s.
For these explanations, we can conclude that the risk of developing acne decrease as we age. And women are more likely to have more episodes of acne than men, this is reasonable since women have more fluctuations of hormones in their life.
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When To Visit The Derm
There isnt one particular pimple that pops up to tell you to schedule a dermatology appointment. If home remedies or OTC meds dont do the trick, a dermatologist can help sort out what route to try next.
Deep, persistent cysts particularly around the inner thighs, armpits, or groin area could be a sign of a different condition called hidradenitis suppurativa.
Redness in the form of small bumps could also actually be rosacea. A dermatologist can help to treat your skins particular grievances so you dont have to play the guessing game with home remedies.
What If I Get Acne Anyway
Sometimes even though they wash properly and try lotions and oil-free makeup, people get acne anyway and this is totally normal. In fact, some girls who normally have a handle on their acne may find that it comes out a few days before they get their period. This is called premenstrual acne, and about 7 out of 10 women get it from changes in hormones in the body.
Some teens who have acne can get help from a doctor or dermatologist . A doctor may treat the acne with prescription medicines. Depending on the person’s acne, this might mean using prescription creams that prevent pimples from forming, taking antibiotics to kill the bacteria that help create pimples, or if the acne is severe, taking stronger medicines such as isotretinoin, or even having minor surgery. Some girls find that birth control pills help to clear up their acne.
If you look in the mirror and see a pimple, don’t touch it, squeeze it, or pick at it. This might be hard to do it can be pretty tempting to try to get rid of a pimple. But when you play around with pimples, you can cause even more inflammation by popping them or opening them up. Plus, the oil from your hands can’t help! More important, though, picking at pimples can leave tiny, permanent scars on your face.
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Pharmacy First Scotland: Acne Treatment From Your Pharmacy
Acne isn’t usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. If your acne is severe or appears on your chest and back, it may need to be treated with antibiotics or stronger creams that are only available on prescription. Your pharmacist can advise on whether you need to see your GP for further treatment.
If you develop nodules or cysts, they need to be treated properly through your GP to avoid scarring. Try to resist the temptation to pick or squeeze the spots, as this can lead to permanent scarring.
Hormones Testosterone And Acne
When it comes to young adult men and acne, hormones play a surprisingly bigger role than you might think. During the early teenage years and the onset of puberty, testosterone levels surge. Testosterone increases can cause oily skin and breakouts, regardless of age. If youve had steady acne from the time you hit puberty, or if you have reason to believe your body is producing more of the hormone , this hormone might be to blame.
Studies show that higher levels of testosterone cause more activity in the sebaceous glands, and that it can increase the size of these glands by as much as 89 percent. While a moderate amount of oil on the surface of the skin is normal, its excess oil that blocks pores and causes acne breakouts. Certain prescription acne medications can effectively lower testosterone production and prevent excess sebum. But lowering testosterone levels is not always an ideal method of treatment, as it causes plenty of unpleasant side effects.
Besides testosterone, there are other potential acne triggers that affect twenty-something guys. If youve recently started a new skin care routine or tried a new product, you might be experiencing whats known as skin purging, a condition that causes skin to temporarily worsen before improving when trying a new product. Not frequently or properly cleansing the skin is another major contributor, and genetics may also play a role. Stress and diet can also lead skin to breakouts.
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I’m Experiencing Male Acne In My 20s Why
If youre old enough to rent a car, buy beer or go to war, you shouldnt still have acne, right? Sadly, it doesnt work that way. Acne comes for people of all ages and, unfortunately, it seems to enjoy taunting those of us in post-adolescence the most. While twenty something acne can be caused by all sorts of things, there are some ways to pinpoint what might be causing your skin to revert back to its blemish-heavy days. Your 20s are the ideal time to start thinking a bit about skin care and finding the best mens skin care products for your specific skin issues.
Here are three of the things you should know:
How Is Acne Treated
Over-the-counter products work to help clear up acne for some teens. It may take time to find one that works best for you some may not help and others may irritate skin. OTC acne products come in different strengths. The most popular and effective OTC acne-fighting ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. Another ingredient, salicylic acid, can help dry up pimples.
If OTC products don’t work for you, get a doctor’s advice. Doctors can prescribe special gels or creams, pills, or a combination of both. It may feel a bit awkward to talk about your acne with someone, but your doctor is trained to help get your skin looking its best.
It’s tempting, but popping or squeezing a usually won’t get rid of the problem. Squeezing can actually push infected material and pus deeper into the skin, which can lead to more swelling and redness and even scarring, which can be permanent.
If you’re taking a prescription acne medicine, finish your entire prescription even if your skin clears up, unless your doctor says its OK to stop. If you stop too early, there’s a chance your skin could break out all over again.
Eating nutritious foods can help keep you healthy and your skin will benefit from getting enough vitamins and minerals. But you don’t need obsess about what you eat or how often you wash your face to control acne. If no OTC product works for you, talk to your doctor or a about how to manage acne.
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Skin: Condition: Infomation Topical Treatments
These are usually the first choice for those with mild to moderate acne. There are a variety of active anti-acne agents, such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics , retinoids , azelaic acid and nicotinamide . They should be applied to the entire affected area of the skin and not just to individual spots, usually every night or twice daily depending on the treatment.
Some topical treatments can be irritating to the skin, so it may be advised that the treatment is initially used on a small area of affected skin for a few applications before being applied to the entire affected area. It may also be recommended to gradually increase the use of the treatment, for example using it once or twice weekly, progressively building to regular daily use if tolerated. Consult your doctor if the treatment causes irritation of the skin.
Some topical treatments, such as retinoids can lead to the acne getting worse for a few weeks before it gets better.
How Can Acne Be Treated
If you have acne but have had no success with over-the-counter products then it is probably time for you to visit your doctor. In general, most treatments take two to four months to produce their maximum effect.
Acne treatments fall into the following categories:
- Topical treatments, i.e. those that are applied directly to the skin
- Oral antibiotics, i.e. tablets taken by mouth
- Oral contraceptive pills
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Does Acne Require A Medical Diagnosis
Typically, your general practitioner can diagnose you by just looking at your skin but treatment options depend on severity. Most cases dont require a diagnosis but it helps to see a doctor to better understand your skin type and ways of maneuvering through common skin conditions.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article intend to inform and induce conversation. They are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Pandia Health, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
References:
- The Lifespan of a Pimple: How Its Born, How It Lives, and How It Dies written by Amanda Montell Updated Feb 23, 2021 reviewed by Dr. Morgan Rabach Dermatologist
