Hormonal acne is the type of acne that appears on the skin due to the fluctuations of the hormones in the body. About 25% to 50% of women get affected by hormonal acne, depending on what phase of age they are going through. Hormonal Acne often occurs on the skin during the menstruation period. This acne can be so painful and severe that it may cause headaches, itching, and distract you from doing important work. They may also affect your appearance and make you feel less confident in front of others.
Such types of acne are so common that we simply call it ‘acne.’ These acnes occur due to the production of testosterone, women’s bodies also produce them in small amounts and the other hormones like androgens.
Fortunately, such pain causing acne can easily be treated by using some effective and safe medications treatment. The occurrence of the hormonal acne can be lowered, and by the time they stop to breakout.
Go through this complete guide, and we have discussed all the essential parts of the hormonal acne. What are the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hormonal acne?
What Is Hormonal Acne?
Basically, all types of acne are hormonal. Acne appears on our skin when it produces increased amounts of hormones that lead to the production sebum in the pores. The normal amount of sebum keeps your skin lubricated, fresh, healthier, and supple. However, the large amounts of sebum production lead to clogging the hair follicles and developing acne.
These acnes typically depend on the puberty and age of an individual. Moreover, the sensitivity of skin towards hormonal changes varies from person to person. This means that if one person is affected by certain types of hormonal acne, it is not necessary that other people also get affected by the same. So, the occurrence of hormonal acne varies from person to person, and the severity of this acne also varies from different individuals.
What Are The Causes Of Hormonal Acne?
The main cause of hormonal acne is due to the production of male hormones in the female body. During puberty or menstruation time, women’s bodies produce small amounts of male hormones like testosterone and androgens that circulate throughout the body. The female body produces these hormones for essential energy levels required for strength and fitness purposes in the body. Hormones that our body produces remains balanced throughout the body. A slight increase in any hormone affects the body’s appearance and health that is also noticeable.
Hormonal acne occurs when the body produces more amounts of androgens than the body required. The production of androgen hormones takes place when women are going through their menstruation period. This acne is also common in puberty duration. At this time, adolescents’ bodies produce huge amounts of androgens like testosterone hormones that increase the level of sebum that clogs into hair follicles and leads to a breakout.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal Acne occurs on the T-zone of the face like chin, nose, and forehead. They may also tend to affect the other parts of the face like cheeks, jawline, or area around the lips. Such acne can range from mild to severe breakouts. Mild acne is those types of pimples characterized by non-painful blackheads and whiteheads. Such type of acne requires very less or no medication treatment, they can simply be cared for with a daily skincare regimen.
Symptoms of Hormonal Acne Are:
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Pustules
- Nodules
- Cysts
However, these non-painful blackheads and whiteheads do not cause any swelling or pain unless they become inflamed. If these become inflamed, they turn into heavy and painful pustules or cysts. These inflamed lesions are extremely painful, red, and sore, which can also cause a headache.
The lesions may appear on the body parts like face, back, neck, shoulders, and chest. These are severely painful, can cause pain if you accidentally touch them with even light hands.
This acne usually affects the people in the age of 11 to 30 years old, and mostly among the 14 to 19-year-old adults. However, some people also face hormonal acne even after the age of 30 years; in such cases, they need proper medical advice and treatment from the dermatologist.
Treatment Of Hormonal Acne?
Before you lose your self-confidence, let’s lose the acne from your lesions. Acne may lead to depression, and stress as they make you look unsightly and unpresentable in front of others, whether you’re a student, professor, or do a job incorporate. You may have tried some home remedies, but they haven’t worked so effectively, and you feel like you still appear the same. Here are the best dermatologists suggested hormonal acne treatment methods that help you in getting rid of acne completely within the month of regular practice.
- Use Mild and Acne-Prone Skin Cleansers: Cleansers like salicylic acid or glycolic acid are the best ingredients to clean and exfoliate the acne-prone skin. Almost all dermatologists suggest salicylic or glycolic acid cleansers to treat such acne.
- Use Probiotics Cleansers: Probiotics cleansers are so effective and control the bacterial, microbiome, or yeast infections from the environment. Probiotic cleanser keeps the pH balance of the skin to normal, helps in removing dead skin cells, and clear clogged pores. They also help in reducing the other effects due to the increased hormone levels and side effects of medicines on the skin.
- Retinoids: Most of the dermatologists suggest the topical application of retinoids for the first step to treat mild and moderate hormonal acne. Marina Peredo, M.D., medical & cosmetic board-certified dermatologist, said that “Retinoids help your skin slough off dead skin cells at a more normal rate, so the dead skin cells don’t bind together and clog your pores.” Apply less concentrated retinoid d in the night time or before going to bed.
- Birth Control Pills: Taking birth control pills can help in reducing the inflammation levels. These contraceptive pills are made by using the Ethinyl estradiol that effectively works to alter the effects of hormonal changes taking place in our body.
You can use these treatments to lower the effects of hormonal acne. However, it is always recommended to ask your dermatologist before using and applying on your skin. They know your skin in a much better way and recommend the best products to lower such pain causing hormonal acne.
