The New Epidemic for Women 40+? Adult Acne.

Over 40 and still breaking out? You’re not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), up to 50 million adult Americans suffer from acne, and most of them are women. While ‘adult acne’
isn’t considered a serious medical issue, it can wreak havoc with women’s (and men’s!) self-esteem and confidence, especially when the cause is a mystery.

A recent article in Allure magazine quoted Dr. Doris Day, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the author of 100 Questions & Answers About Acne (Jones & Bartlett Learning), as saying, “as many as 50 percent of women will suffer from acne at some point in their adult lives.”

How is adult acne different from what we experienced as teens? Simple: location, location, location. The breakouts we experience in our younger years are mostly on foreheads and cheeks, but adult acne appears primarily on the lower third of the face: jawline, around the mouth, and neck areas.

Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, believes that adult acne — whether it’s a carryover from your teen years or a totally new and unwelcome experience — has multiple causes, including hormonal imbalances, bacteria, diet, stress, medications, and even using too many layers of products (following the K-Beauty way) as part of your skincare program. There are a few surprising reasons, too, such as hair products, cell phones, and facial hair removal.

If you’re over 40 and are either still breaking out or just starting to (medically known as ‘adult-onset acne’), the first line of defense is to make an appointment with your dermatologist so together you can determine the cause and best way to stop the break-outs from happening.

Your dermatologist will most likely recommend a combination of lifestyle changes (switching products, focusing on diet, managing stress and so on), as well as a prescription topical treatment. But, prescription topical treatments that contain retinoid acids or tretinoins — which are considered the gold standard of ingredients — are associated with irritation and severe dryness, causing many women to stop using the product before it can work its magic.

Fortunately, a new product has just been introduced (I attended the launch event in NYC) which is sure to be a game-changer in the field of adult acne and skincare.

Altreno Lotion, from Ortho-Dermatologics, the makers of Retin-A, is the first and only tretinoin product that has been combined with soluble collagen, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, resulting in an elegant lotion that hydrates skin and helps combat the drying and irritating effects of tretinoin.

Unlike other retinol products which must be used only at night, Altreno Lotion can be used during the day, as well! Another game-changing bonus? With your Altreno Lotion prescription there is no private or government insurance coverage, meaning you face fewer hassles. There are no copays, coupon cards, or need for reimbursement. You simply pay around $115 for your prescription, which lasts about 3 months. When you compare that to the cost of most over-the-counter products that promise to deliver, but rarely do, this is a true skincare bargain.

Talk with your dermatologist about Altreno Lotion, but you can also get more information by going to their website. 

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