Overview
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports that 85 percent of those between the ages of 11 and 20 will suffer from acne over the course of 1 year. However, adults get acne too, and it’s often driven by hormone fluctuations similar to those that drive the teenage variety. Acne stems from several interrelated factors, including too much oil production in the skin, excess shedding of dead skin cells and proliferation of bacteria. Fortunately, there is medication available for adult acne that can target each of these causes and should help clear up the problem.
Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid
Adult acne treatment generally starts with topical medication that includes benzoyl peroxide, a traditional first-line acne treatment, according to the AAD. Benzoyl peroxide medication, available over-the-counter and by prescription, fights acne by killing acne-causing bacteria and by slowing the shedding of dead skin cells. Salicylic acid, which also is available over-the-counter, also slows dead skin cell shedding and clears pores, reducing the number of new acne lesions and gradually clearing skin.
Prescription Medication
If topical medication containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid fails to curb a bad case of adult acne, women may seek help from a dermatologist, who can prescribe stronger medication. In these cases, topical medication with benzoyl peroxide might be combined with a type of topical antimicrobial to fight the acne-causing bacteria that has over-proliferated in the oily skin. Dermatologists often prescribe medication that contains clindamycin or erythromycin for this purpose because they’ve been shown to be effective against the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that’s found in almost all acne cases, the AAD says.
Tretinoin
Another potentially helpful medication, tretinoin, helps the skin renew itself, clearing clogged pores in the process, according to the AAD. Tretinoin, a type of vitamin A known best by the brand-name Retin-A, unclogs pores and prevents new whiteheads, blackheads and acne lesions from forming. Tretinoin also has the added benefit of reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging in the skin. This medication can cause severe sun sensitivity, so users must remember to wear sunblock whenever they venture outdoors, even for short periods, the AAD says.
Oral Contraceptives
If other medications fail to clear up a woman’s bad case of adult acne, dermatologists may consider turning to oral contraceptives, according to the Mayo Clinic. Birth control pills often can control difficult cases of adult acne, since they attack one of the root causes of pimples: the sebaceous glands that are producing too much oil. Oral contraceptives tend to moderate hormone fluctuations and reduce the level of circulating androgens in the body, which slows oil production. Three oral contraceptives, including Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yaz and Estrostep, hold U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval specifically for use as acne medications.
Time Frame
Adult acne can take months to clear, and those who suffer from it may need to try several different types of medication before they find one that works, according to the AAD. But a patient working together with a dermatologist most likely will hit upon a combination of different medications that works. Regardless of medication choice, the AAD stresses that patients with adult acne need to take good care of their skin, which means avoiding irritating cleansers and strong scrubbing, and applying sun protection daily.
About this Author
J.M. Andrews has been a professional freelance journalist for nearly two decades. She specializes in health and medical content for both consumers and health professionals, and has written for the magazine “Young Physicians.” Her background in medicine and science has earned her credits in a wide range of publications both online (including eHow) and in print media.
