Do you have frequent acne breakouts? Acne as an adult can be frustrating. After all, didn’t you already go through it as a teenager? But there are ways to treat your adult-onset acne without resorting to harsh treatments or expensive procedures. We’ll show you how microneedling works and what you should know about the treatment before trying it out yourself.
How Many Adults Struggle with Acne?
Acne in your 40s is common, but some people start experiencing acne at a later age than that. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 1 million Americans suffer from severe acne in their 40s. The most common type of acne occurs during puberty when hormones cause oil glands under the skin to produce excess sebum. This leads to clogged pores and pimples. But the same thing happens as you get older and experience changes in hormones due to aging or menopause.
What Causes Adult Acne?
The same thing that causes acne in adolescence! Many factors contribute to acne development, including:
Hormonal changes. As we age, our hormone levels change, leading to increased acne. In addition, hormones play a role in regulating sebum production, so if they’re not appropriately balanced, acne will likely occur.
Skin inflammation. Inflammation can also trigger acne outbreaks. Sometimes, this inflammation comes from bacteria on the skin’s surface. It also comes from a reaction to a substance like dirt or makeup.
Dietary habits. Certain foods and drinks can aggravate acne. For example, caffeine can increase blood flow to the face, causing redness and irritation. Alcohol consumption can dry out the skin, making it prone to clogging and infection.
Stress. Stress can make acne worse by increasing cortisol levels.
Sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can lead to hormonal imbalances and acne flare-ups.
Excessive sun exposure. Sunlight can damage the skin and create blemishes.
Exercise. Exercise helps reduce stress and improve overall health. It can also help keep your body strong and healthy. However, exercise can worsen acne because sweating increases oil production.
Types of Acne Scars
What are the types of acne scars?
Boxcar scars. Boxcar scars are caused by deep acne lesions that heal into scar tissue. They usually appear after a significant breakout that lasts several weeks. These scars tend to fade over time.
Rolled scars. Rolled scars form when the skin around a pore becomes inflamed. This results in a raised bump on the skin. When the bump heals, it leaves behind a permanent mark.
Atrophic acne scars. Atrophic scars are thin, flat marks that look similar to stretchmarks. They often develop after a long period of acne. They can be very noticeable, mainly if they cover many skin areas.
Hypertrophic scars. Hypertrophic scars are thicker, rougher versions of rolled scars. They typically appear after a small breakout that doesn’t last long enough to leave behind a scar.
Treatment Options for Adult Acne Scars
If you’ve been dealing with acne since your teens and have the scars to show it, there’s hope for improvement in your skin quality with microneedling sessions with Skin Pen.
Acne Scars
After a blemish or breakout, you may notice a scar or scars left behind. Why? Acne scars develop due to inflammation of the skin. The body’s immune system reacts by producing collagen and other proteins that form new tissue over the affected area. This process is called wound healing. As with any wound, some areas heal faster than others.
Depending on where the injury occurs, the new tissue will look different from the old tissue. For example, the tissue will grow thicker and darker if the damage happens near the hair follicles. If the injury occurs around sweat glands, the tissue will become more raised.
In addition, the color of the scar will depend on the person’s pigmentation. Some people have lighter skin tones, and therefore their scars tend to lighten up after they heal. Others have dark skin, and their scars stay darker.
Skin Pen Microneedling Treatment for Acne Scars
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a handheld device to make tiny needle punctures that stimulate the growth of new skin cells. It has been used successfully to improve the appearance of acne scars and other signs of aging, such as wrinkles, lines, and creases on the face, neck, chest and back.
Skin microneedling treatment stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the dermis. Collagen is a vital protein in the body and helps keep our skin firm and elastic, while elastin gives us smooth, youthful-looking skin.
When the tiny needles puncture the skin during microneedling, they create a micro-injury. The body begins its repair process to regenerate skin cells, collagen and elastin as a response.
The result is an improved appearance to your acne scars, smoother skin and less visible fine lines.
Benefits of Microneedling for the Treatment of Acne Scars
Microneedling is a safe, non-surgical option for treating acne scarring and other signs of aging. It also reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Here are some additional benefits of this treatment:
- Improves skin texture and skin tone
- Increases the thickness of the epidermal layer
- Promotes the formation of new collagen
- Decreases the appearance of sunspots
Can Skin Pen Treat Active Acne?
Yes! Skin Pen works great for active acne and can be combined with topical acne medications. These include benzoyl peroxide gel, salicylic acid or retinoids to help treat active blemishes.
Can Skin Pen Be Combined With Other Procedures?
Yes. Skin Pen treatments can be combined with other procedures like chemical peels, laser resurfacing, Botox and more.
Learn more about Skin Pen and how it can help your acne scars. Call us today to schedule an appointment.