Acne may be the most common teenage skin concern, but it affects plenty of adults, too. In fact, one in four adults (25%) — and up to half of all women (50%) — have periodic acne outbreaks in their twenties, thirties, and forties.
But sometimes, an apparent case of adult acne turns out to be something else entirely.
Luckily, our seasoned team at Keehan Dermatology can help you differentiate between adult acne and other skin conditions frequently mistaken for acne.
In recognition of Rosacea Awareness Month this April, Dr. Patrick Keehan explains why rosacea is often confused for adult acne — and how the right diagnosis is key to getting the treatment you need to maintain clear skin.
Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition that arises when hair follicles and pores become blocked with natural oils (sebum) and dead skin cells. Whether it occurs at the age of 14 or 40, all acne breakouts emerge in three basic steps:
Essentially, clogged pores are an ideal breeding ground for p. acnes bacteria, allowing them to multiply and trigger the outbreak of pus-filled surface lesions — commonly known as pimples, zits, papules, blackheads, or whiteheads.
“Adult acne” refers to breakouts that continue (or start) after the age of 25. Women are more likely than men to experience regular breakouts in their thirties, forties, and beyond.
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that triggers recurrent flare-ups of skin redness, flushing, swelling, visible blood vessels, and acne-like breakouts across the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.
While it’s commonly mistaken for mild adult acne in its early stages, rosacea is a recurring and progressive condition that’s often set off by certain triggers, such as:
Without proper care, rosacea tends to worsen over time; what starts as mild flushing and rash-like redness can lead to more frequent outbreaks of inflammatory bumps that look a lot like pimples. Although young people can develop rosacea, it’s most common in middle-aged and older adults.
Adult acne and rosacea may appear to be similar at first glance, but they’re quite different. Let’s take a closer look at their various defining characteristics:
Acne and rosacea are both inflammatory conditions, but their pathway of inflammation is very different. With acne, clogged, bacteria-filled pores trigger acute inflammation to cause skin blemishes. With rosacea, it’s systemic inflammation — or an exaggerated immune response to various stressors — that drives symptom flares.
Acne presents as a variety of lesions, with blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples being most prominent, and cysts and nodules appearing in more severe cases. Skin redness is limited to the small area around an acne lesion. Oily skin, especially in the “T zone” of the forehead, nose, and chin, is common.
Rosacea typically appears as widespread redness, or flushing, that looks more like a cohesive rash than separate lesions. It’s very common to see tiny, dilated blood vessels — a product of the deeper inflammatory response — within the redness.
Rosacea redness may persist, or come and go in the form of flare-ups that leave your skin feeling extra sensitive. Even when rosacea inflammation causes bumps and “pimples,” it never causes blackheads or whiteheads.
Acne breakouts are common on your face, jawline, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest.
Rosacea primarily affects the central face, including your cheeks, nose, chin, and middle forehead. Sometimes, rosacea redness may extend to your scalp, neck, chest, or upper back. Rosacea can also affect your eyes, leaving them red, swollen, and/or bloodshot.
Females are more likely than males to develop both acne and rosacea, but when males get either, their symptom breakouts tend to be more severe and longer lasting.
People of all races and skin tones get acne. While rosacea can also affect any skin color and type, it’s significantly more common in people with fair skin.
Fortunately, when it comes to coping with acne and rosacea, the right treatment approach is often all it takes to achieve and maintain clear skin.
That’s why a proper diagnosis is so important — acne treatment typically involves using over-the-counter acne products along with prescription medications, while rosacea care focuses on trigger identification and avoidance along with prescription oral and topical medications.
Wondering if your acne breakouts might actually be rosacea? We can help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at Keehan Dermatology in Fort Worth, Texas, today.
