How to Stop Acne - Acne Through the Ages

How to Stop Acne

Acne Through the Ages
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Acne occurs most commonly after puberty and affects adolescents and young adults. However, it can also occur during infancy, and even in adulthood . Although its appearance may vary at different ages, the basic lesions of comedones, inflamed papules and pustules remain the same. And the methods on how to stop this acne is definitely the same.

Neonatal Period (First Month of Life)

Hyperactivity of oil-producing glands stimulated by androgens at birth and in the following few weeks, may cause acne in the first month of life. This is known as neonatal acne. Males are more often affected than females. Comedones and red inflamed papules and pustules are seen, mainly on the cheeks, The eruption is usually mild and clears after a few months.

Childhood

Infantile acne starts later, at around 3-24 months of age, and tends to be more severe and persistent, lasting many months or up to 5 years of age. Non-inflamed comedones predominate, with inflamed lesions such as papules, pustules and even nodules, occurring mainly on the cheeks. Scarring occasionally results. If it is severe and persistent, or if its onset occurs after the age of one. An underlying hormonal abnormality should be ruled out.

Pre-pubertal children may start developing comedones and an oily complexion from about 10 years of age, heralding the onset of puberty.

How to Stop Acne

Adolescence

This is the usual age where acne sets in. It is often preceded by increasingly oily skin and formation of whiteheads and blackheads, culminating in the appearance of red, inflamed papules and pustules on the forehead and cheeks. Sometimes acne may involved the chest and back (truncal acne). Most adolescents will have at least a few acne lesions at some time or other. In more severe cases, nodules and cysts develop, resulting in scarring and disfiguration.

Adolescence is the most common age where acne starts to appear. At this stage, acne frequently recurs, even after treatment. However, the majority of acne sufferers will notice improvement or resolution in early adulthood.

Adulthood

Acne is widely regarded as a problem of adolescence, and in most cases, resolves by early adulthood (mid-twenties). However, about 15% of male acne sufferers, particularly those with more severe facial and truncal acne, continue to suffer fro it well into adulthood; that is, past their thirties. The jaw line, chin upper chest, and back are sites that are preferentially affected in adulthood.

About one-third of female acne sufferers will continue to have acne persisting into adulthood, mostly in a low-grade form with premenstrual flares, that occur around the period of menstruation. Adult acne tends to stop by menopause in women or the equivalent in men.

How to Stop Acne