When Does Acne Stop? Its Life Cycle & Treatment Options

What Is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory chronic skin condition. Your skin holds billions of pores responsible for maintaining body temperature, skin pH, and hydration level. Acne usually occurs when these pores get clogged with sebum, oil, and dead skin debris. This blockage of skin pores causes blackheads, whiteheads, and dry or pus-filled pimples.

Trivia

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting over 50 million annually. Nearly 85% of people between the ages of 12- 24 and 15% of women between 30-40 are affected by it (2).

While the most common age when acne occurs is between 13 to 25 years, this problem can last longer in many men and women. To understand when acne usually stops for teenagers and adults, let’s understand how pimples are formed.

What Is The Life Cycle Of A Pimple?

A pimple usually takes around 1-2 weeks to fully develop (1). While you may think that they develop overnight, in reality, it is a long process that includes weeks of developing and growing.

Microcomedones – tiny bumps that are not visible to the naked eye – first begin to form on the skin. The oil glands in the epidermis get stimulated by hormones that become overcharged and start secreting excess oil (1).

Numerous infected spots break out from the whiteheads or pimples already existing in the area within the skin pores. Bacteria can get stuck between these pores and start multiplying to create acne.

Now that you know how pimples form on the skin, let us see how long they take to disappear.

When Does Acne Really Go Away?

To understand when acne stops for guys and girls, you also need to recognize the underlying cause behind the skin condition. Based on the cause of the breakouts, you can figure out when the acne will diminish.

1. Puberty

During puberty, many hormonal changes occur in the male and female bodies, resulting in breakouts and inflammation. Androgens, estrogen, and progesterone are some hormones that not only change physical appearance but also amp up oil production and acne in both sexes (3). However, acne during puberty or adolescence usually fades with time (as you grow out of puberty) or medical assistance.

2. Genetics

If someone in your immediate family has a medical history of mild or severe acne, chances are you have the same problem. One study found that 81% of acne is attributable to genetics (4). If acne runs in your family, it may not completely go away. Hence, consult a dermatologist and inform them about your family acne history to get appropriate treatment.

3. Stress

Stress is a very common cause of acne. Excess stress increases the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your body. This hormone can lead to higher sebum production and inflammation in the skin, leading to breakouts (5). In some cases, identifying the cause of stress and finding healthy ways to cope can help you treat acne effectively.

Among 6700 participants of a global survey, 51% experiencing acne face high levels of stress. Also, 54.6% of those with acne reported sleep difficulties compared to those without. These findings suggest a strong connection between stress and acne, highlighting stress as a significant contributing factor to the development of acne.

4. Adult Acne

Adult acne is the most critical form of acne that usually starts after 25 (6). While men are also prone to adult acne, this problem is more common in women. Some of the most common causes include PCOS and menstrual disorders.

If you are experiencing mild or severe adult acne, addressing these underlying issues with the help of lifestyle changes and medication can help control the breakouts. However, the acne may take time (a few months) to fade away.

If you have adult acne and are looking for skin care tips to prevent further breakouts, read the next section to know more.

How To Address Adult Acne

Are you wondering when your hormonal acne will stop? Here are some efficient ways to address your adult acne.

1. Use A Gentle Cleanser

Using skin care products with harsh chemicals can aggravate your acne problem. Instead, pick a salicylic acid-based cleanser that gently cleanses your pores. This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can eliminate acne-causing bacteria (7). Avoid BHAs in case you have irritated skin and use a mild cleanser.

2. Choose The Right Shampoo

Using the wrong shampoo is claimed to be another cause of adult acne, especially near the hairline. Some shampoos contain oils that block the pores and cause acne. If you think this is the cause of your adult acne, you can try switching to a different shampoo.

3. Avoid Touching Your Face

Constantly touching your face can transfer oil and dirt from your hands to your face, thus worsening the acne. Picking on pimples can further lead to scarring and inflammation. However, if you feel you cannot keep your fingers away from your face, consider using pimple patches to heal your breakouts faster.

4. Stay Away From Comedogenic Products

If you have adult acne, make sure that your skin care routine includes products that are oil-free and non-comedogenic. Using an oil-free product ensures that the pores do not get clogged and also reduces breakouts.

5. Consult A Dermatologist

If your adult acne persists, you must immediately consult a dermatologist who can prescribe the appropriate medication according to your acne severity and skin type.

Quick Tip

Avoid excessive exfoliation and cleansing, as they do not help clear acne but rather aggravate the problem. They dry out the skin and lead to more oil production.

Check out some popular treatments for adult acne below.

What Are The Treatments For Adult Acne?

Dermatologists usually prescribe the following treatments for adult acne:

• Gel, Lotions, And Topical Creams: These medicated skin care products contain acne-fighting ingredients like tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide (8 ), (9).
• Oral Tablets: Pills, such as oral contraceptives, are prescribed by dermatologists to treat severe acne (10).

What treatments are available when these acne leave scars? Find out in the section below.

What Treatments Are Out There For Adult Acne Scars?

You can undergo various treatments to address adult acne scars. These techniques offer effective solutions to improve skin texture and appearance.

Common dermatological interventions like laser therapy, microneedling, and chemical peels help diminish scars by stimulating collagen production and resurfacing the skin.

Laser treatments, such as fractional laser therapy, target scarred areas, promoting skin renewal and reducing the appearance of scars. Microneedling involves tiny needles that create controlled injuries, triggering the body’s natural healing process and enhancing collagen formation. This can help reduce the visibility of scars over time. Chemical peels exfoliate the skin’s top layer, encouraging new skin growth and minimizing scars’ prominence.

Apart from hormonal imbalance, there can be numerous other causes of adult acne. Find out what these are below.

Other Reasons Behind Adult Acne

Often, the cause behind your acne has nothing to do with hormones – instead, it could be a reaction to some other external factor. By addressing the following causes, you can minimize your acne and get clearer skin.

1. Allergies

If your skin breaks out when you consume certain foods or step into a dusty place, you are probably allergic to those foods or dust. Consult a doctor and get an allergy test done to identify the triggers of your acne.

2. Change In Medication

Changing your medication can create a hormonal imbalance and result in breakouts. One such common medication is birth control, which typically contains estrogen and progestin. When you stop taking this medicine, it may cause acne.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will acne go away if I ignore it?

In some cases, acne may go away on its own, while in some other cases, ignoring it may lead to more pain and discomfort. You may need a proper skin care routine and treatment to get rid of acne breakouts.

Should I just leave my acne alone?

It is always best to leave acne alone instead of popping the pimples. However, you should also treat it with the right products and wait for it to heal.

Why do I have acne in my 20s?

Excess oil and bacteria, stress, and fluctuating hormones are the most common causes of acne in your 20s. Find out what is causing your acne and seek proper treatment.

Does ice help acne?

Yes, applying ice may help reduce the inflammation caused by acne.

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Dr. Madhuri AgarwalMBBS, MD

   

Dr. Madhuri Agarwal is an aesthetic dermatologist with over 16 years of experience and the Medical Director & CEO of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic. She caters to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, including top names from the television and fashion fraternity, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, and delivers injectables and advanced technologies to her clients. Prior to this, she was...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more