Who Gets Acne - Are You Safe From It?
We all know that acne occurs mostly after puberty and affects mostly adolescents and young adults. Although not so common, acne also affects babies and small children and mature adults as well. These are the typical stages of life where acne may rear its ugly horns!
1) Neonatal/ Baby Acne
Not many people know that babies do get acne in their first month of life. It is a common condition that affects roughly 20 percent of newborn babies. Hyperactivity of oil-producing glands, stimulated by androgen at birth and in the following few weeks will cause acne on babies. Baby acne usually affects boys more than girls. Usually, comedones and scattered red inflamed papules and pustules are observed, mainly on the cheeks, forehead and chin. Baby acne usually resolves itself in a few weeks or months, so it is not a cause of worry.
2) Infantile/ Childhood Acne
Infantile acne starts later, and develops around 3 to 24 months of age. It is usually more persistent and severe and may last for many months or up to 3 years of age. Typically, non-inflamed comedones will be observed with papules, pustules on the cheeks and nose. Usually treatment is not required, as it will also go away on its own like baby acne, unless it gets more severe.
3) Adolescence/ Teenage Acne
Adolescence is the usual age where acne starts to set in. Tell tale symptoms that acne is about to strike is oily skin, and formation of whiteheads and blackheads, with inflamed papules and pustules on the forehead and cheeks. Sometimes, acne will affect areas of the body, like the chest and back as well. At this stage, treatment can be quite tricky, as acne may recur again. However, majority of these symptoms starts to get resolved as the adolescent moves into adulthood.
4) Adult Acne
Adult acne may hit women who are totally acne-free in their younger years. These may happen to those in their late thirties or early forties. The acne is usually mild, with whiteheads and some inflamed papules or pustules. Women who had acne in their adolescent years may also have persisting acne following them into adulthood. They usually observe a flareup in their acne around the period of their menstrual cycle.
For men, 15 percent of those who grew up with teenage acne could continue to suffer from it into their adulthood. Acne could still persist into their thirties and mostly affects their chin, jaw line, upper chest and back.
Another reason of acne affecting adults could be due to comodogenic make-up and cosmetics, such as foundation, anti-wrinkle creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, they put on their face. If the product is unsuitable, whiteheads or small inflamed pustules and papules may show up over the sites of application.
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