Acne is an embarrassing and debilitating condition, affecting people of all skin types and ages.
Hormonal acne occurs as a result of fluctuating hormone levels associated with puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, medications or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This leads to an increase in oil production that clogs hair follicles and traps dead skin cells within them, creating acne breakouts.
Causes
Hormonal acne occurs when hormonal fluctuations cause sebaceous glands to produce too much oil, leading to clogged pores. When this happens, excess sebum gets trapped within hair follicles and trapping dead skin cells known as comedones forming comedones; then when immune system attacks bacteria trapped inside these clogged pores creating inflammation which eventually results in papules pustules nodules and cysts appearing resulting in hormonal acne which commonly develops among teenagers and women during menstruation cycle perimenopause or pregnancy.
As hormone levels fluctuate, our skin produces extra oil (sebum) to lubricate and protect itself. This helps avoid breakouts. When levels of androgens like testosterone or progesterone or oestrogen fall too low they may trigger breakouts; this explains why women often experience flare ups right before their period and why hormonal fluctuations in postmenopausal women can lead to breakouts too – these fluctuations could stem from menopausal hormones or hormonal birth control use as well as fluctuations caused by menopausal hormones or using hormonal contraception.
Treatments
Although there’s no cure for acne, treatments exist to help reduce sebum production and inflammation. Altering your diet by cutting back on dairy, sugar and processed food consumption could reduce breakouts; while taking fish oil supplements could also help ease inflammation and clear pores more quickly.
If over-the-counter cleansers aren’t helping, your dermatologist may prescribe stronger topical treatments like retinoids derived from vitamin A. Retinoids have proven successful at improving mild to moderate hormonal acne cases.
Other medications, including birth control pills (both combined and progesterone only minipill) and anti-androgens such as spironolactone, have also been proven effective at alleviating hormonal acne symptoms. Many individuals must try several combinations of treatments before finding something suitable to them.
Hormone Balancing Tips
Hormonal acne is often brought on by hormonal fluctuations that increase androgen levels and oil and sebum production, leading to blocked pores with bacteria and dead skin cells clogging them, and redness, inflammation, cystic breakouts forming on chin, cheeks, nose, back chest shoulders or foreheads.
Hormonal acne can be effectively managed using over-the-counter cleansers, topical creams, and medications like oral anti-androgen spironolactone (commonly referred to as bicalutamide). Birth control pills also serve as effective solutions.
Diets that eliminate inflammatory foods and high glycemic foods can significantly lessen the severity of hormone-related acne. Eating more fatty fish, whole grains, low glycemic fruits and vegetables, fermented foods like kimchi or kraut for microbiome balance and mineral-rich oysters is all great treatments options to consider when trying to manage this form of acne. Sleep is another key component in supporting overall health while helping balance hormones; getting at least 7-9 hours restful sleep each night can support overall health while maintaining hormone balance in terms of overall health benefits as well as balanced hormone levels in terms of overall health benefits to promote overall health benefits in balance hormone balance for balance in all areas.
Visit a Dermatologist
Hormonal acne is often brought on by fluctuations in hormones. This condition often appears during puberty for teenagers and perimenopause for adult women as well as pregnancy or health conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). When fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone and androgen hormones increase, sebum production can become blocked leading to pimples, sores and whiteheads to form, usually in the lower third of the face near mouth/jawline areas but they may also appear on forehead/nose areas as well.
As these blemishes can often be deep and cystic, it’s best to consult a dermatologist if you suspect your acne may be hormonal rather than caused by bacteria or other factors. A dermatologist may prescribe oral treatments such as Spironolactone – normally prescribed to treat high blood pressure but also offering anti-androgen properties which help lower sebum production – for treating this type of acne.
These treatments may help manage and prevent acne breakouts before your period, when testosterone levels tend to be elevated.
