Surg Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;17(0):1-7
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Adult female acne (AFA) affects women over 25 years old. Although there are no solid data in the Brazilian literature, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors are believed to contribute to its pathogenesis.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of AFA and its possible risk factors in a sample of the Brazilian population.
METHODS: A cross-sectional clinical study was conducted with 258 women aged 25 to 55 stratified by race and age according to the Brazilian population (2010 census). The study analyzed their demographic, clinical, psychological, and exposure-related information.
RESULTS: Acne complaints were reported by 41.1% of participants, ranging from 15% in those aged 50–55 to 60% in those aged 25–29. Clinical examination confirmed lesions in 36.6% of women. In 70% of cases, acne had persisted since adolescence, and 13.2% of participants were undergoing treatment. Acne was significantly associated with age, race, age at menarche, hirsutism, smoking, oily skin, and makeup use (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Acne was a prevalent issue, especially before age 40, and was more common in Black and mixed-race individuals, those with clinical signs of hyperandrogenism, and makeup users. However, it was inversely associated with smoking.
Keywords: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Hyperandrogenism.
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