A woman's skin may be at its peak of beauty when she is in her twenties. Biologically speaking, the structure of a 20-something's skin is a marvel. An abundance of collagen and elastin, imparts a firm, plump healthy glow to the face. Wrinkles are virtually non-existent.
But the twenties aren't necessarily trouble-free times. Although beyond her teens, a woman in her twenties may be plagued with acne. Adult-onset or post-adolescent acne can strike all skin types. A recent study reported that 22% of women with adult acne had dry skin, 15% had oily skin, 43% had a combination of both and 20% were normal. According to Dr. David Aghassi, a dermatologist in private practice with Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates in Massachusetts, one quarter of women have acne beyond their teenage years. In those situations, the problem is classified as "persistent acne."
Dr. Aghassi said that the presence of acne in a 20-something woman may indicate a hormonal component. "This type of acne is more difficult to treat," said Dr. Aghassi, "but it may respond to increased amounts of estrogen in certain brands of birth control pills."
For an acne-prone woman, outside factors such as cosmetics, friction, heat and sunlight can also exacerbate breakouts. It is often tempting to use facial scrubs and strong chemical products to reduce acne, but experts, including Albert Kligman, M.D., PhD of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, say that these products do not treat the source of acne---deeply rooted blackheads. A better approach for acne treatment is salicylic acid-based products---cleansers or leave-on creams or lotions.
Dr. Aghassi recommends that women in their 20s who do not have dry skin should avoid using heavy moisturizers. "Use a light non-pore blocking moisturizer for the face. Look for the label non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic if your skin tends to be oily or combination skin." Although most women in their twenties do not have wrinkles, signs of premature aging can be present and should serve as a warning:----USE SUNBLOCK---AND AVOID SUN EXPOSURE. Dr. Aghassi says that permanent freckling, for example, as well as a roughened texture of the skin can be early signs of sun damage for women in their twenties. Oil-free or gel-based sunscreens work best in this age group.
|
