Who Can Get Acne?
Sunday, December 21, 2008 13:37Acne is very common, especially among teenagers. However, just about anyone can experience acne no matter what age—even people in their fifties and sixties can develop acne. Acne is caused when the pores on your skin get plugged up. These pores may be on your face, neck, back, chest, arms, or even legs—basically, anywhere on your body.
Anyone of any age, race, or occupation can get acne, although some may experience more acne than others. People with very dry skin, for example, sometimes have more acne issues than others. Moisturizers may help these individuals control their acne. Likewise, diet and stress can affect acne, although the same types of food or the same level of stress will not affect everyone the same.
But what causes acne to get better or worse? Well, no one actually knows for sure other than the blocking up of pores. It’s hard to determine exactly when a pore will become clogged and when it won’t. There are, however, some contributing factors.
First, teens often experience worse cases of acne than others because of their changing hormone levels. Some teens experience worse acne than others, but generally, by the time they reach their late teens or early twenties, the worst of the acne will be cleared up.
Rubbing your skin harshly can also lead to more acne. This is why it’s important to gently wash your face and avoid harsh soaps. Likewise, if you’re around anything that dries out your skin or irritants your skin, you may experience more acne than others.
If you pick, squeeze, or pop your acne, this can also make it worse. Allow your acne to vanish naturally or apply topical creams—do not pop it as this can make your acne either last longer or cause permanent scars.
