Dreaded by adolescents, acne affects up to 50 million adult Americans annually. It is evidenced by the appearance of unsightly red and white pimples and blackheads. Housed on the face, neck, chest, or back, acne or pimples appear during puberty or in adulthood at the age of 20s because of the so-called “storm of hormones”. Hormones are one of the many factors that contribute to the appearance of Acne. To better understand this skin phenomenon and treat it, we have prepared a post that tells you everything you need to know about hormonal acne. Read on!
What is Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne is a skin condition in which you can suffer from pimples, blackheads, and subcutaneous inflammations because of your hormones. Both men and women are affected by hormonal. It is quite common. In fact, according to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 80% of people aged between 11 and 30 are affected by acne [1]. According to another source – AAD – it is estimated that 50% of women aged 20 to 29 have acne. The major reason behind its occurrence is hormones. Hormones have a big impact on your skin. They stimulate sebum production in your sebaceous glands. An increase in the ‘male’ hormone testosterone causes your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum [2]. Too much sebum can cause a sebaceous gland to become clogged. The result: pimples.
Symptoms – How to Recognize Hormonal Acne?
Several symptoms can put you on the trail of hormonal Acne:
- Red, inflamed pimples appear locally on the lower part of your face (jaw, chin)
- You notice small cysts that are rather painful to the touch.
- Blackheads and comedones occur.
If you are prone to regular hormonal breakouts related to your pre-menstrual syndrome, this is also a clue.
What are the Causes of Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal Acne is caused by fluctuations in your hormones [3]. The following hormones affect your skin.
- Testosterone –This hormone is usually seen as a male hormone, but all humans produce it. The production of testosterone increases from puberty. Testosterone makes you produce more sebum. Sebum is meant to keep your skin oily and lubricated. If your skin becomes too oily, your skin will become clogged, and you may suffer from hormonal breakouts.
- Estrogen – Estrogen keeps your skin supple and hydrated. It keeps your skin thick, making it more elastic, and stimulates collagen production. In addition, estrogen ensures that wounds in your skin heal quickly. As you get older, your body makes less estrogen. As a result, your skin becomes less supple and thick and just a bit more slack. Lines and wrinkles also become more visible. When your estrogen levels drop, testosterone gets more space, which can lead to hormonal acne.
- Cortisol – You may know Cortisol as the stress hormone. During periods when you are under a lot of stress, you are more prone to hormonal. A high cortisol level causes your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. This can clog your pores and cause hormonal breakouts. In addition, too much cortisol can cause skin aging. If your cortisol is too high, your skin becomes less elastic. Your skin will then show signs of aging more quickly, such as lines and wrinkles.
VOIBON TIPS
- Take good care of your skin.
- Use lukewarm water when cleansing your face.
- Try not to touch your face.
- Relax and lower your stress.
- Eat healthy.
If your hormonal acne is not changing despite these natural treatment attempts, then it is time to make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hormonal Acne
- How do you know if acne is hormonal?
According to Apothecopharmacy, if you are an adult and a breakout appears on your lower face, it is definitely hormonal acne.
- Does diet play a role in hormonal acne?
Foods that are too fatty or too sweet and alcohol can accentuate the effects of acne because they are inflammatory. The skin lesions can then be more important in the event of hormonal acne combined with an unsuitable diet.
- Is the pill effective against hormonal acne?
The pill is a hormonal contraceptive that can be prescribed against hormonal acne because it helps regulate the hormones responsible for the appearance of pimples. However, it can also trigger it if it is not suitable for you. The ideal is to talk about it with a gynecologist who prescribes you the contraception that suits you.
- Are antibiotics effective in treating hormonal acne?
If you suffer from hormonal acne, although it is not of infectious origin, certain antibiotics can be effective in clearing up skin lesions. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics when the acne is inflammatory and causing its famous red pimples. You can take this treatment for a maximum of 3 months and should not take oral treatment with isotretinoin at the same time, or take these antibiotics if you are pregnant. Effective antibiotics for hormonal include those from the tetracycline and macrolide families.
- How to improve hormonal acne naturally?
There are many ingredients that are helpful to treat your hormonal Acne if it is not considered severe:
- Vitamins. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of vitamins help to reduce acne, supplementing with vitamin D and B may be beneficial to Acne symptoms [4].
- Zinc. Studies have shown that zinc is important in maintaining skin health, it can improve the severity of acne [5].
- Green tea. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects of green tea provide benefits to decreasing [6].
- Vitex. Also called chasteberry, it has the effect of affecting certain hormones like estrogen, which therefore may reduce acne before menstruation [7].
- CBD. The strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of CBD (Cannabidiol) significantly decrease inflammation and regulate sebum production of the skin, therefore reducing acne lesions [8].
Reference:
[1] Zeichner JA, Baldwin HE, Cook-Bolden FE, Eichenfield LF, Fallon-Friedlander S, Rodriguez DA. Emerging Issues in Adult Female. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(1):37-46.
[2] Emiroğlu N, Cengiz FP, Kemeriz F. Insulin resistance in severe vulgaris. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2015;32(4):281-285. doi:10.5114/pdia.2015.53047
[3] Bagatin E, Freitas THP, Rivitti-Machado MC, et al. Adult female: a guide to clinical practice [published correction appears in An Bras Dermatol. 2019 Mar-Apr;94(2):255. Machado MCR [corrected to Rivitti-Machado MC]]. An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):62-75. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20198203
[4] Stewart TJ, Bazergy C. Hormonal and dietary factors in vulgaris versus controls. Dermatoendocrinol. 2018;10(1):e1442160. Published 2018 Feb 22. doi:10.1080/19381980.2018.1442160
[5] Bae YS, Hill ND, Bibi Y, Dreiher J, Cohen AD. Innovative uses for zinc in dermatology. Dermatol Clin. 2010;28(3):587-597. doi:10.1016/j.det.2010.03.006
[6] Ohishi T, Goto S, Monira P, Isemura M, Nakamura Y. Anti-inflammatory Action of Green Tea. Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2016;15(2):74-90. doi:10.2174/1871523015666160915154443
[7] Clark AK, Haas KN, Sivamani RK. Edible Plants and Their Influence on the Gut Microbiome. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(5):1070. Published 2017 May 17. doi:10.3390/ijms18051070
[8] Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713-3724. doi:10.1172/JCI64628
