While most teenagers experience some form of acne, many adults suffer from the condition well beyond their 20s and sometimes even into their 50s. The longer a client has acne, the worse their skin tends to get, often never completely repairing. Some clients never suffered from acne in their teenage years but develop acne as adults. The condition is sometimes so severe that it interferes with their ability to succeed in their lives. It also affects their health because redness, such as with acne rosacea, is inflammation that causes free radical damage and cell death, prematurely aging the skin. It is also believed to affect health in general. Acne ScarsFor those who had acne when they were young and have little or no visible scars for years, the damage to the dermis tends to appear as they age. This appearance occurs because age and hormonal changes after the age of 40 cause the skin to become thinner, therefore, scars get more visible and appear deeper.Acne in teenagers is often a grade 1 or 2, meaning that it does not include inflammation (redness, grade 3 acne) or cysts (grade 4 acne). While grades 1 and 2 acne do not cause large scars, they do cause permanently-large pores. Acne ProductsMany acne products on the market can cause harm as they are drying and/or irritating. Skin care products are often made with alcohol, benzoyl peroxide (a carcinogen and hormone disruptor), and petrochemical-based synthetics. These ingredients cause the skin to become dull, lose its freshness and natural glow, and age prematurely. Acne-Causing FactorsAlthough acne is hormone-related, it is aggravated by a number of other factors, including drying and irritating skin care products and makeup; pore-clogging skin care products and makeup; a diet high in sugars, fried foods, and processed foods; intolerance to certain foods (such as gluten and chemicals); high levels of free radicals; stress; and not properly washing the skin with non-irritating and non-stripping cleansers.Other factors include the rubbing of bra straps or clothing on the shoulders and back; baseball caps; keeping sweaty clothes and caps on after exercising; poor lifestyle habits, such as a lack of sleep; drug use; certain laundry detergents; self-trauma excoriation (scratching of pimples or extracting pimples without the proper skill set or hygiene); and climate and environment (hot and humid weather causes swelling that clogs the pores). Experience supports that preventive skin care can immediately address an acne condition when it starts; it prevents the condition from getting out of hand and helps control its severity. This solution is valid at any age, especially in the young age group. Practicing good skin care and getting expert advice is more beneficial than hoping the acne will go away on its own.Want to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.