Adults between the ages of 20 and 50 are most likely to experience hormonal acne, which is also referred to as adult acne. The following are the different types of bumps that can be caused by acne on your face, shoulders, chest, and back:
- Pimples
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Cysts
Acne caused by hormones is almost always caused by an overproduction of sebum in the oil glands.
Who is most likely to suffer from hormonal acne?
Although both men and women can be affected by hormonal acne, the majority of cases are seen in women, particularly pregnant women and women going through the menopause. Acne is the skin condition that affects the most people in the United States. In the course of their lives, close to eighty percent of the population will be afflicted by it. Acne caused by hormones affects approximately fifty percent of women in their twenties and twenty-five percent of women in their forties.
Hormonal acne vs fungal acne
Due to the fact that both types of acne originate in the hair follicles, fungal acne and hormonal acne are frequently confused with one another. Acne caused by yeast overgrowth is known as fungal acne, whereas hormonal acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum. Acne caused by fungi can cause whiteheads and itching, and the affected skin frequently turns red, irritated, and inflamed.
Causes for hormonal acne
Acne is brought on by blocked pores on the skin. Acne caused by hormonal fluctuations occurs when your skin’s oil production increases and your pores become clogged. Acne is caused when bacteria on the pores of your skin, which are also called hair follicles, interact with this oil because it contains sebum.
The following are the causes of clogged pores:
- Excess sebum (the oily substance created from the sebaceous glands in the middle layer of your skin)
- Dead skin cells
- Bacteria
- Controllable factors that may be causing your hormonal acne
- Stress
- Insufficiency of sleep
- Using hair and skin care products that contain oil or do not contain any ingredients that will prevent pores from becoming clogged (non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic)
- Changing hormone levels in women, including around your period, irregular periods, during pregnancy, during menopause, or after discontinuing birth control are some of the causes of hormonal acne that you can’t do anything about
- A history of acne in the family (genetic predisposition)
- An unwanted reaction to a medication (steroids)
- Conditions that were already present prior to treatment (polycystic ovary syndrome, other ovarian conditions and metabolic conditions)
A healthcare provider will look at the acne and evaluate the factors that may be contributing to the acne as part of the physical examination that is required to diagnose hormonal acne. This includes talking about the following:
- Products for the care of your skin that you utilize frequently
- Stress levels as well as sleeping patterns
- Current medications you use
- Alterations to your physical condition (hormonal changes)
Hormonal acne during pregnancy
When you are pregnant, hormonal fluctuations can cause acne. As your pregnancy continues, you may notice that your acne clears up. There are a few treatments that you should steer clear of if you are pregnant, including isotretinoin, salicylic acid, and topical retinoids. Talk to your healthcare provider about the most effective and secure acne treatment for you so that you can cut down on and even get rid of outbreaks while you are pregnant.
Signs of hormonal acne
Acne causes lesions, which are damaged patches of skin that can become inflamed, red, and painful or sore if they are scratched. Your cheeks are the most likely location for the appearance of lesions, but they can also show up in the following places:
- Face
- Neck
- Back
- Shoulders
- Chest
The following types of lesions are possible manifestations of hormonal acne:
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Papules (raised skin tissue, 2-5 mm in diameter)
- Pustules (skin bumps that contain pus, 2-5 mm in diameter)
- Cysts (pockets under the skin that contain fluid)
There are significant reasons that make the hormonal acne worse. Some of them are listed below:
- Stress
- Pollution
- High levels of humidity
- Picking or squeezing at blemishes on the skin
- Poor diet (specifically refined carbohydrates and sugars)
Treatment for hormonal acne
Depending on the severity of your acne, there are a variety of treatment options available to help reduce the production of sebum, the formation of pimples, and painful inflammation, including the following:
- A topical cream for blackheads and whiteheads is recommended (tretinoin)
- Benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoid, or topical antibiotics may be used to treat inflammatory acne, but benzoyl peroxide may also be used
- Antibiotics and/or isotretinoin are recommended for moderate to severe acne (retinoid)
- Steroid injection for acne with cysts (intralesional triamcinolone)
It is recommended to treat acne as soon as it first appears in order to prevent further breakouts from occurring, which, if untreated, could result in permanent scarring as well as potential issues with one’s self-esteem.
Breakouts of acne are caused by hormonal acne. If you do not get treatment for them, they will appear as bumps or lesions on your skin and, if left untreated, they will become red, swollen, painful, and sore. Scarring can result from acne of moderate to severe severity, as well as from acne that has not been treated.
Acne manifests itself uniquely in each person who has it. It may only last a few days, or it may continue for a few weeks at a time. Acne has the potential to linger for several months if it is not treated.
Acne treatment may vary from person to person, but the most important thing is to be patient. After beginning treatment, it may take anywhere from four to six weeks before you notice an improvement in the appearance of your skin. It is recommended that you continue treatment even if you are unable to observe any improvement in the condition of your skin as a result of the treatment in order to reduce the risk of developing additional acne.
It is recommended that you consult a dermatologist if the acne does not improve or if it gets significantly worse. Your acne can be brought under better control with the help of more advanced treatment, which can be provided by a dermatologist.
Preventive measures for hormonal acne
Other than these therapies, there are number of general lifestyle changes that help you to keep the hormonal acne away.
- Cleansing the face every day
- The regulation of reproduction (oral contraceptives)
- Change in diet
- Therapy with a laser or light
Even though hormonal acne is sometimes unavoidable, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the likelihood of getting breakouts, including the following:
- Make adjustments to your way of life to lower your stress levels, improve your quality of sleep, and improve your diet.
- Utilize skincare products that won’t cause your pores to become clogged.
- Your healthcare provider should be consulted about the various treatment options available for persistent acne.
Final words
Being proactive can be helpful in preventing breakouts related to hormonal acne, despite the fact that the exact timeline for hormonal acne varies from person to person. It can take anywhere from eight to ten weeks for a newly implemented acne treatment plan to begin producing the desired results.
If your acne is persistent, you should discuss a long-term treatment plan with your primary care physician or a dermatologist. They are able to adjust your current treatment plan and add in additional therapies in order to get the best possible outcomes.