She Magazine SEPTEMBER 2014 | Page 100

Ask the Experts Q beauty & A Katie Freel Smith, PA-C of Carolinas Dermatolgy Q: I am 38 years old, and I have a most perplexing problem. My skin is showing signs of aging - wrinkles and fine lines - all the while breaking out like ateenager. What is going on? What can I do to stopthe acne but keep the wrinkles from showingmore? A: While both teenage boys and girls struggle with acne, post-adolescent acne can be a problem for many women. The underlying cause, however, can vary from woman to woman and should be addressed by a dermatologist. For some women, it can be a continuation of adolescent breakouts. Yet, for other women, post-adolescent acne can be their first struggle with acne. Underlying causes can be related to hormones, smoking and cosmetics. Read the labels of your cosmetic products, and make sure they say “non-acne forming” or “non-comedogenic.” Topical retinoids, such as tretinoin or “Retin-A,” are the mainstay of topical treatment for acne, but they are also the treatment of choice as an anti-aging product. Retinoids, available by prescription, not only chemically open up pores and acne lesions, but they also soften the appearance of wrinkles and brighten overall complexion. Depending on the severity of a woman’s acne, however, your dermatologist may decide to add oral medicines, such as antibiotics or hormone therapy. Another crucial step in anti-aging is daily use of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, as UV radiation from sunlight plays a major role in aging skin. Leah Norwood 100 Mosaic Boutique, Lake City September 2014 Mosaic is located at 113 W Main St, Lake City Carolinas Dermatology is located at 1929 Mountain Laurel Ct, Florence shemagazine.com