How to Get Rid of Stubborn Acne

Acne is a common frustration during the teenage years. It is just one of those things that suddenly seem to show up in the teenage body, along with extra hair as well as pockets of muscle and fat. As with most new developments that confound us during puberty, it should either lose its novelty or just plain go away. For a lot of people though, acne continues to be a problem well into adulthood. Even after years of treatment, some acne just refuse to go away. What's a baffled, frustrated acne victim to do?

What Causes Stubborn Acne?

Stubborn acne can have different causes. Heredity may play a role - for example, having parents who struggled with adult acne will make you more likely to have adult acne too. Sudden changes in hormone levels play a more significant role. You'll notice that acne is more common in women compared to men. That's because a woman's hormones fluctuate during the course of the menstrual cycle, causing hormonal acne breakouts right before menstruation. Pregnant women may also get acne because of the hormonal changes that go on inside them. Men are not immune to acne though - men who do get acne tend to have more severe forms of the condition. Taking steroid supplements can also cause hormonal changes that cause acne, as do some hormone therapies.

Certain cosmetics can also clog the pores and cause acne - these include hair products, shaving creams, face creams, and makeup. Certain types of prescription drugs can also trigger acne attacks. The workplace can also be a source of acne. People constantly exposed to pollutants and irritants such as halogens (PCBs and chlornapthalenes, for example), coal tar oils, crude oil, and cutting oils get nasty acne that should be treated immediately. Neglecting to wash the face and back can also worsen acne, as well as stress and sleepless nights.

Treatments Against Stubborn Acne

Back in your high school days, dabbing a bit of ointment with tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may do the trick against acne. Their mode of action involves penetrating the pores to remove oil and dead skin cell buildup that causes acne or killing the bacteria that inflame acne. Over time however,  these topical treatments lose their efficacy as the skin starts to adapt. At this point acne comes back with a vengeance and becomes even harder to get rid of.

It is a good idea to look into systemic acne treatments - these include oral antibiotics, prescription medications, hormone therapies, and vitamin supplements that work to treat acne from inside the body. Vitamin B5 is an anti-acne vitamin discovered to work effectively against stubborn acne. This vitamin regulates the hormones that cause acne as well as minimizes oil production on the skin. In this way it prevents acne from forming in the first place. When used in combination with topical treatments, it can effectively reduce acne and prevent it from coming back.