Causes of Adult Acne in Men
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in testosterone and other androgens contribute to acne.
- Stress: Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, leading to increased inflammation.
- Genetics: Family history can significantly influence acne persistence.
- Diet and Products: High glycemic foods, dairy, and comedogenic skincare products can worsen acne.
Why Acne Persists in Adult Men
- Reduced Skin Renewal: As men age, skin regeneration slows, leading to prolonged healing.
- High Sebum Production: Persistent oil production clogs pores.
- Lifestyle and External Factors: Continuous exposure to stress and improper skincare routines contribute to prolonged acne.
Folliculitis (20-30%)
Acne Causes
For most people, changes in hormone levels trigger acne. These hormones create oils that can lead to clogged pores, which sometimes let bacteria grow. Both of these problems cause breakouts.
Men whose fathers had severe acne are more likely to have it, too. Some medications such as lithium, which treats bipolar disorder, and corticosteroids like prednisone can also bring on acne.
The Male Breakout
Men often get acne on the face and back.
Sweating can make it worse. Breakouts on the back often happen in hot weather or after exercising. They're harder to control than the kind on your face. But fewer people see your back.
Men also can develop an acne-like disorder known as folliculitis, Rahimi tells WebMD. Frequently, this comes from the tiny nicks caused by shaving too closely. Bacteria enter the follicles and cause infection.
“One way to distinguish a follicular pimple from acne is that with a follicular pimple, you often can see the hair shaft at the center of the lesion,” Rahimi says. “The pimples sometimes contain pus, and they may crust over or become surrounded by an area that’s red and inflamed. The infection may itch or be somewhat tender, but it usually isn’t painful.” But deep folliculitis, which affects the entire hair follicle, can cause large, painful, pus-filled bumps that may leave scars, he says.
Folliculitis is more common among Hispanic and African-American people, Rahimi says, because their hair tends to curl up under the skin and cause a pocket of infection. The best treatment is to switch to an electric shaver.
“The electric shaver doesn’t give as close a shave as a blade, but it causes fewer problems with irritation and inflammation around the hair follicle,” he says. “Also, I have [men with folliculitis] use salicylic acid or glycolic acid to unclog the pores, and then Retin-A once a week. The key is to use different medicines from different families to control bacteria, clear the pores, and bring inflammation down.”
Acne vulgaris (15-30%)
is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit, affecting around 85% of adolescents and frequently persisting into adulthood. This study explored a new treatment complex combining alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), niacinamide, and glycerin for managing different stages of acne. The research was conducted on 82 patients in Iasi, and the effectiveness of the treatment was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score to evaluate improvements in quality of life related to skin health.
Razor Bumps and Ingrown Hairs (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae): (50-60%)
- Prevalence: Nearly 50% to 60% of men experience razor bumps and ingrown hairs, particularly those who shave regularly.
- Description: Razor bumps occur when shaved hairs grow back into the skin, causing inflammation and irritation. This is more common in men with curly or coarse hair types.
- Symptoms: Red or dark
- bumps around shaved areas (neck, cheeks), pain, irritation, and the potential for infection if not properly managed.
Seborrheic Dermatitis (10% of men)
- In some cases, oily skin can contribute to seborrheic dermatitis, a condition characterized by red, scaly patches and dandruff, often found around the eyebrows, sides of the nose, and behind the ears.