Queen City Skin

37. Acne Isn’t Just for Teens | Why It Shows Up on Adults and What Actually Helps

• Dr. Elizabeth Rostan • Episode 37

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0:00 | 17:32

Adult acne can feel especially frustrating because it often looks and behaves differently than the acne many people remember from their teenage years. In this episode of Queen City Skin, Dr. Elizabeth Rostan explains why adult acne often shows up as painful cysts along the chin, jawline, or nose, how hormones, stress, birth control, IUDs, fertility treatments, pregnancy, and postpartum shifts can play a role, and when it may be time to move beyond over-the-counter products. She also walks through how the team at Charlotte Skin & Laser approaches treatment, from cyst injections and topical options to oral medications, follow-up care, and treatments for the red or brown marks acne can leave behind.

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Other Queen City Skin Episodes About Acne:

3 Key Takeaways for Managing Hormonal Breakouts:

  • Adult acne is different from teenage acne – it presents as deep cystic lesions on the chin and jawline, often triggered by hormonal fluctuations, stress, and life changes 
  • Over-the-counter treatments aren't enough. Professional intervention with in-clinic procedures, topical treatments, and oral medications is often necessary 
  • Prevention of scarring and aggressive follow-up care are critical! Avoid picking, use proper wound care, and schedule frequent follow-ups to adjust treatment as needed

Welcome to Queen City Skin, the podcast where skincare meets science. Hosted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Rostan, Founder of Charlotte Skin & Laser, this podcast here to cut through the noise — from social media myths to marketing hype — and bring you clear, evidence-based advice on caring for your skin at every stage of life.

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