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