For women, acne solutions should be chosen carefully, particularly when they are in their 20s and above. Women's skin tends to be more prone to other conditions, not just pimples, when they grow older and skin breakouts become harder to heal. This makes adults more likely to develop scars or other skin marks than younger people.



The role of hormones in acne

Women's bodies experience more biological imbalances than the opposite sex or younger individuals that could lead to skin problems. Once a woman starts her monthly period, she would be more prone to occasional zit breakouts. A few days before their period, most women experience pimples due to more active hormones. Although pimples caused by menstruation can disappear after a few days, it is still advisable that precautions are taken when dealing with occasional bursts of pimples.

Some pregnant women also suffer from acne. This, again, is due to the high level of hormonal activity in their bodies that could then cause their skin to produce more oil than what is normal and result in clogging the pores of the skin. In some cases, women entering the menopausal period (when they start hitting their 40s) also suffer from acne breakouts. The imbalance in hormonal activity is usually pinpointed as the culprit in these cases.

For women who use oral contraceptives or birth control pills, their bodies usually need to adjust first before they can find a balance to the changes caused by these pills. For some, the first few weeks of using the medications coincide with acne breakouts. They might disappear over time as the body learns to adjust to the changes. In any case, finding the right contraceptive should be done with the help of a gynecologist or a physician.

What to do with adult acne

In all of these cases, the first thing that a woman needs to do, or not to do, is to pinch, touch, pick or squeeze their acne. If the condition is only temporary, touching or squeezing will do more harm than good. Instead of these zits disappearing after a few days, they might remain in your skin for a long time in the form of scars. Remember that the older we get, the more difficult it is for our skin to heal.

Adult women should always balance their acne treatment with basic skin-care. If you are using an antibacterial or any topical ointment, make sure that you still moisturize your skin every night to replace the oil stripped by the medications you use. You might be able to get rid of the pimples using these medications, but you should also take steps to prevent your skin from drying.

Acne solutions during pregnancy should also be chosen carefully. The possible side-effects of each option should be discussed thoroughly with a doctor, particularly if they have the potential to harm your unborn child. Whatever the cause of your pimples might be, choosing a treatment without consulting a doctor first is not advisable.