What is hormonal acne and how can I cure it?
Hormonal acne, also known as adult acne, occurs in adults between the ages of 20 and 50. Unlike teenage acne, which is primarily caused by puberty, hormonal acne persists or appears later in life.
Bumps may appear on the face, shoulders, chest, and back. These can appear as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and even painful cysts. What is the root cause? Overproduction of sebum from the oil glands is often caused by hormonal fluctuations.
Who gets hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne is not often differentiated, but there are preferences. Women are more affected than men, especially during pregnancy, menopause, and other periods of hormonal imbalance. Hormonal acne is estimated to affect the majority of women, especially those in their 20s and 40s.
Will my skin condition get worse?
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the United States, affecting nearly 80% of the population at some point during their lifetime.
This isn’t just a problem for teenagers. Approximately 50% of women in their 20s and 25% of women in their 40s experience hormonal acne, making it a familiar friend to many. Fungal acne and hormonal acne are often confused because they both develop in the hair follicles.
However, fungal acne is caused by excess yeast bacteria, whereas hormonal acne is caused by excess sebum. Whiteheads, itching, and red, inflamed skin are all hallmarks of hormonal acne, while fungal acne tends to be more itchy.
Why is hormonal acne so difficult to treat?
Treating hormonal acne can be frustrating. Traditional acne creams such as topical retinoids and antibiotics are often insufficiently effective. Even isotretinoin (commonly known as Accutane) isn’t always effective.
To make matters worse, hormonal acne is notorious for returning even after successful treatment with Roaccutane. This condition can cause long-term redness, scarring, and pigmentation problems. Persistent comedones on the face, especially around the temples, cheeks, and chin, can cause enlarged pores on the nose and cheeks.
Living with hormonal acne doesn’t just mean managing breakouts. It’s about maintaining quality of life. Fungal acne can present with smaller, more uniformly sized spots that can be confused with hormonal acne, but the location and treatment differ.
What causes hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne occurs when hormonal changes cause an increase in oil in the skin. This excess oil mixes with the bacteria in your pores and hair follicles, causing them to become clogged. result? Acne in various forms.
Sebum from sebaceous glands in the middle layer of the skin also plays an important role. Pimples occur when dead skin cells and bacteria become trapped in clogged pores.
Several things can make hormonal acne worse, including stress, lack of sleep, and skin care products that aren’t labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic. On the other hand, changes in a woman’s hormone levels during menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or after stopping birth control can make the situation even more difficult.
Men undergoing testosterone treatment or who have a family history of acne may also experience an increase in breakouts. In some cases, side effects of medications such as steroids or pre-existing medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, other ovarian diseases, or metabolic disorders can cause hormonal acne.
How do I know if I have hormonal acne?
Identifying hormonal acne begins with a visit to your health care provider. During the physical exam, we will evaluate your acne and consider a variety of factors.
These include skin care product use, stress and sleep habits, current medications and recent hormonal changes. It’s important to understand these factors to diagnose whether your acne is hormonally related.
How to treat hormonal acne
Treatment for hormonal acne may differ from treatment for regular acne. Your doctor may suggest topical creams or oral medications, such as antibiotics or oral isotretinoin. Aviclear acne laser treatment may be an option for a more drug-free option.
However, anti-androgen therapy is often required to manage the effects of androgens. Medications such as spironolactone or combined oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progesterone may be helpful. In some cases, metformin is used to regulate hormones such as IGF-1, which are associated with acne. Your dermatologist will guide you through these options, considering the best treatment plan for your situation.
Q: How can I prevent hormonal acne outbreaks?
Blackheads and whiteheads: Use topical creams such as tretinoin.
Inflammatory acne: Topically apply retinoids, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, or a combination of these.
Moderate to severe acne: Consider antibiotics or isotretinoin (a type of retinoid).
Cystic acne: Steroid injections (intralesional triamcinolone) may be effective.
Q: How do I know if my acne is hormonal?
Answer: Hormonal acne is often easy to identify. Pimples along the chin and jawline are closely related to the body’s reproductive system, so hormonal acne usually occurs in these areas. Additionally, if you experience frequent breakouts, it may be hormonal in nature.
Q: How can I treat hormonal acne naturally?
How to treat hormonal acne naturally
Cleansing: Gently wash your face once or twice a day with a pH-balanced cleanser to control oil and remove makeup without over-drying your skin.
Moisturize: Dry skin can increase sebum production, so it’s important to keep your skin hydrated.
Sunscreen: Protecting your skin from the sun is an essential part of any skin care routine.
Q: When does hormonal acne stop? What causes it and how can it be treated?
Answer: Hormonal acne often persists into your teens and can continue into your early 20s. Some adults may still experience it later in life. Many women find that their acne gets worse just before their menstrual cycle and often clears up during pregnancy.
Q: What can I take to treat hormonal acne?
Answer: The vitamin C in lemons brightens your skin, and green tea, rich in catechins and powerful antioxidants, boosts immunity, skin health, and overall well-being. ” Recent research has shown that the polyphenols found in green tea can suppress sebum production, making your skin less prone to acne.
