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How Long Does Acne Last?
20% of all adults have active acne in the United States. If a pore
becomes clogged, closes, and then bulges out, you have a whitehead.
If a pore becomes clogged but stays open, the top may darken and you're
left with a blackhead.
  
When the walls of the pore become damaged it
allows bacteria and dead skin to work their way under the live skin.
Damage is not necessarily caused by trying to pop the pimple or
blackhead area, but can be caused by friction, abrasive cleansers or
even a mild injury such as an accidental scratch to the face. This
leaves you with a red, but small infection called a pimple. Clogged pores that
are open deep in the skin cause cysts,
which are generally infections larger than pimples.
Individual outbreaks of acne can last between two and four days from
the formation of the acne to gradual fading of the acne pimple or blackhead.
Treatment can shorten the lifespan of the outbreaks by drying out the
areas and deep cleansing the pores.
When hormones cause acne, such as outbreaks that women experience around
their menstrual cycle, it usually lasts 2 to 5 days during the onset
of menstruation and clears up as menstruation passes. Each person is
different and the length of the outbreak is subject to the following
factors:
- Genetics
- hormones
- Treatment options (to see our recommended product, Tru-derma,
click here)
- Hygiene
- Stress
Parents, who suffered from acne as teens, are more likely to pass on
the predisposition to their children. Hormone imbalances, such as those
experienced during the flood of hormones in puberty, hormonal fluctuations
around a menstrual cycle and even the hormone increases that are experienced
during pregnancy, all affect the sebaceous glands and their production
of sebum.
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Most acne sufferers see their outbreaks end around the ages of 20 to
24, but adults do suffer from acne and may continue into their 40s.
Adult sufferers of acne should consult a dermatologist to verify whether
their acne is treatable with methods more geared towards their adult
physiologies rather than relying on products that served them as a teenager.
While acne is not caused by dirt, good hygiene leads to healthier
skin. Gently washing the face once or twice daily with a mild
soap and water removes dead skin cells and helps reduce the
amount of skin-based bacteria present, which in combination
with clogged pores
can lead to painful pimples. While high levels of stress (both
good and bad) do not directly cause acne outbreaks, they can
contribute to them as well as the length. During periods of
stress, the body releases hormones
into the system and can contribute to hormone imbalance. Feeling
pressured for time, they may skip washing their face or their
hair. Oily
hair pressing against the skin near the temples, cheek, and
jaw line can contribute to the formation of acne.
Picking at the sites of outbreaks can increase the length of outbreak,
inhibit the healing process and may actually lead to scarring. So while
individual acne outbreaks last an average of 2 to 4 days, some people
may suffer from acne for years.
Recommended Solution:
Acne is not curable, but it is 100% treatable and if acne is not responding
to over-the-counter methods or self-esteem is suffering, a person should
consult dermatologist. Dermatologists agree that three-step acne fighting
kits are an excellent way to treat acne without the harmful side effects
or dangers of oral drugs. A 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide kit is ideal, and
we strongly recommend our solution, Tru-derma, as it is backed by all
of the research and information on the Acne-Resource Center. Click
here to learn more.
Other Resources:
Acne.net
BringHealth.com
McKinley Health Center
A Guide to the Treatment of Acne (http://www.burnsurvivorsttw.org/acne.html)
American Academy of Dermatologists
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