[Specificity of acne in women older than 25 years]

Our aim was to examine the specific clinical and therapeutic characteristics of acne in women seen in our practice.

This retrospective observational study included all women older than 25 years seen in our practice between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2003.

The mean age of the 79 women included in the study was 31.8 years; 67% reported a family history of acne; 79% reported at least one acne-promoting factor, 62% regular cosmetic use. Acne began at a mean age of 16.6 years, and only 13% had lesions before menarche. Before referral, they had received an average of 2.3+/-1.6 systemic treatments and 43% had already been treated by isotretinoin. Over an average follow-up period of 11 months, 83% of those for whom we prescribed isotretinoin had complete remissions, and 17% a partial response.

Acne in women seems to be a persistent form of juvenile acne. Most of the cases we saw were inflammatory acne, with extrafacial lesions in one third of cases. The high frequency of familial history and severe seborrhea suggest a genetic factor. We also noticed the influence of the premenstrual period, stress, sun exposure and cosmetic use. Isotretinoin treatment produced the best therapeutic response.