Think acne is just a teenage rite of passage? Think again. While adolescence is the prime time for breakouts, millions of adults (especially women) continue to battle stubborn pimples well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Teenagers & Acne Breakouts
It is no secret that puberty brings a wave of skin changes. Acne is most common in teenagers, affecting up to 85% of young people between the ages of 12 and 24. The surge of hormones during puberty stimulates the sebaceous glands, leading to excess oil production that clogs pores and creates the perfect environment for breakouts.
Acne in Adult Women vs. Acne in Adult Men
While teenage boys and girls experience acne at similar rates, a significant shift occurs in adulthood. The two biggest populations we treat at Minars Dermatology are teenagers and adult women.
Adult acne is significantly more common in women than in men, a trend that continues through multiple decades of life.
The Role of Hormones in Women’s Skin
Why do women continue to struggle with acne long after their teenage years? The answer largely comes down to hormones.
- The Menstrual Cycle: Hormonal fluctuations are a massive trigger. In fact, up to 85% of adult women report a worsening of their acne in the days leading up to their period. This type of hormonal acne frequently presents along the lower face, chin, and jawline.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Women with underlying endocrine conditions are also highly susceptible. Studies show that the prevalence of acne among women with PCOS is between 43% and 49%, making it roughly 1.6 times more common than in women without the condition.
“If somebody has a real syndrome like PCOS, having that treated by their gynecologist or endocrinologist is helpful because it’s very hard to treat that kind of hormonal acne unless you also treat the underlying endocrine/hormone issue.” – Dr. Todd Minars
Men on Testosterone Therapy
While adult men generally experience less acne than adult women, there is a specific subset of men who are highly prone to breakouts: those taking exogenous hormones.
Men undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) frequently develop acne, often on the shoulders, chest, and back. Research indicates that up to 70% of patients on long-term testosterone therapy report experiencing acne. The sudden increase in testosterone stimulates the sebaceous glands, leading to an overproduction of oil that traps dead skin cells and bacteria.
Speak With a Certified Dermatologist in Hollywood About Your Acne
So, who gets acne the most? The data paints a clear picture: teenagers navigating puberty, adult women dealing with hormonal fluctuations and PCOS, men on testosterone therapy, and individuals with a strong genetic predisposition. Understanding which category you fall into is the first step toward finding a targeted, effective treatment plan with a board-certified dermatologist.
