Status Report From The American Acne & Rosacea Society On Medical Management Of Acne In Adult Women, Part 1: Overview, Clinical Characteristics, And Laboratory Evaluation

The document reported that acne in adult women was a common condition, often persisting from adolescence or emerging later in life, typically in the early to mid-20s. It highlighted the psychosocial impact of acne on women, who often found it distressing and sought effective treatments. The clinical presentation in adult women included mixed inflammatory and comedonal facial acne or a U-shaped pattern on the lower face and neck. Laboratory testing for androgen excess was not deemed necessary for all cases, but clinicians were advised to evaluate each case individually. A large survey indicated that acne vulgaris (AV) affected 50.9% of women aged 20-29, decreasing with age. An observational study of 374 adults showed that 47.3% had mild acne, with multiple facial sites involved in 89.8% of women. The study also noted a unique subset of women with localized mandibular acne, who reported higher stress levels and were less likely to have severe acne or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The document emphasized the need for further studies on the demographics and clinical characteristics of AV in adult females.