People of all races and ages get acne, but it is most common in teens and young adults. When acne appears during the teenage years, it is more common in males. Acne can continue into adulthood, and when it does, it is more common in women.
Certain things may trigger or worsen acne: Hormonal changes. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormone changes during midlife, particularly in women, can lead to breakouts too.
Acne is the most common dermatological diagnosis in non-Caucasian patients. In a community-based photographic study, clinical acne was found to be highly revalent in Black/African American (37%), Hispanic/Latina (32%), and Asian (30%) women, more so than in Continental Indian (23%) and White/Caucasian (24%) women.
Adolescents and young adults between ages 12 and 24 tend to be the most affected group. It usually begins during the start of puberty, affecting girls earlier than boys. Typically people will outgrow acne but about 12 percent of women and 3 percent of men may still have acne even in their 40s.
Genes influence everything from eye and hair color to hormone production, so naturally some people have a propensity for producing higher levels of hormones than others. Therefore, some people are simply more susceptible to acne due to heredity. If your parents were prone to acne, the chances are that you will be also.
Oily skin is a type of skin prone to acne, because people with oily skin are often affected by genetic factors and hormone changes. Besides, dry skin can also cause acne because the environment or skin care habits irritate and clog pores.
Genetics play a large role in determining who does and who doesn't get acne. Chances are that if your parents or siblings suffer from acne, you probably have it too. Your genes influence how sensitive your skin is to hormonal and environmental factors.
The truth is, it is quite common to see acne persist into adulthood. Although acne is commonly thought of as a problem of adolescence, it can occur in people of all ages.
Lead author of the study, Dr Simone Ribero, a dermatologist from the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology at King's, said: 'For many years dermatologists have identified that the skin of acne sufferers appears to age more slowly than in those who have not experienced any acne in their lifetime.
Most often, acne will go away on its own at the end of puberty, but some people still struggle with acne in adulthood. Almost all acne can be successfully treated, however. It's a matter of finding the right treatment for you.
Although there were no differences in total number of acne visits across racial/ethnic groups, Hispanic patients were less likely (odds ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.70-0.88) and black patients were more likely (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09-1.31) to be seen by a dermatologist than white patients in adjusted analyses.
Key takeaways. There's no specific acne gene. However, genetics can play a role in whether you're prone to acne. In addition to genetics, hormones and lifestyle factors can also affect skin and breakouts.
Thus previous studies showed a heritability estimate ranging from 50-90% for acne. In other words, approximately 50-90% of acne was due to genetic variation in the affected individuals. A large UK study involving 400 twin pairs showed that 81% of acne was due to genetic factors.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. By now, you've probably read that a group of scientists at King's College London released the findings of a new study that showed that acne-prone skin may not age as quickly as the rest of ours does. How do they know this?
"For many years dermatologists have identified that the skin of acne sufferers appears to age more slowly than in those who have not experienced any acne in their lifetime," lead author Dr. Simone Ribero said in a King's College press release.
Good News: People With Acne Appear to Be Protected Against The Signs of Ageing. It might be cold comfort for those of you struggling with bad skin right now, but a new study has found that people with acne tend to have younger-looking skin as they grow older.
Stress, hormones, and certain medications can also contribute to chronic acne. Studies also indicate that a diet high in dairy and carbohydrate-rich foods may worsen acne. Your diet won't cause acne, but it can make it harder to get rid of.
Most pimples take 1-2 weeks to go away on their own. Some can take up to 6 weeks. Although they can't be cured overnight, they can be treated with many different methods that have been proven to work such prescription acne treatment like tretinoin and topical antibiotics.
If you have acne that just won't go away, you may want to take a closer look at your skin. It's possible that you don't have acne. Other skin conditions can look a lot like acne. Stubborn acne can also be a sign of something serious going on inside your body.
The bacteria that cause acne live on everyone's skin, yet one in five people is lucky enough to develop only an occasional pimple over a lifetime.
Prevents Pimples and Acne. Certain kinds of toxins will clog your small pores on your epidermis and can cause issues like acne and pimples. By drinking more water, you ensure that you won't suffer from severe pimples and acne. The more hydrated your skin, the less your pores will clog.
"If you notice big, cystic bumps every so often, you can be considered acne prone," says Katie Rodan, M.D., dermatologist and Proactiv co-founder. Another giveaway that you are acne prone is if you've got an oily scalp or dandruff, she says.