Holy Hormonal Acne, Batman
“Ok hormonal acne. You can leave now, I’m 30. This is no longer funny.”
-Drew A. Head
You’re an adult now, you think teenage acne is in the rear-view mirror. But no, you wake up with new pimples on a regular basis.
Though often unavoidable, hormonal acne can be treated to prevent future breakouts from forming.
What is hormonal acne?
Hormonal acne, also known as adult acne, affects adults between the ages of 20 and 50. Acne causes bumps on your face, shoulders, chest and back in the following forms:
Pimples
Blackheads
Whiteheads
Cysts
What causes hormonal acne?
Acne is caused by clogged pores. Hormonal acne develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil your skin produces.
This oil interacts with bacteria on the pores of your skin where hair grows (hair follicles) and results in acne.
Clogged pores are the result of:
Excess sebum (the oily substance created from the sebaceous glands in the middle layer of the skin
Dead skin cells
Bacteria
Causes of hormonal acne that you can control
Stress
Lack of sleep
Using hair and skin care products that aren’t oil-free or free of ingredients that won’t clog pores (non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic).
Causes for hormonal acne that you can’t do anything about
Changing hormone levels in women, including around your period, irregular periods, during pregnancy, during menopause or after discontinuing birth control.
Family history of acne (genetic predisposition).
Side effect of a medication (steroids).
* Pre-existing medical conditions (PCOS and other ovarian conditions and metabolic conditions).
Is hormonal acne caused by pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, hormonal fluctuations can cause acne. Often, acne gets better as your pregnancy progresses. There are several treatments that you should avoid during pregnancy, including topical retinoids, salicylic acid and isotretinoin. Ask your healthcare provider about the safest acne treatment for you to reduce and eliminate breakouts during pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of hormonal acne?
Acne causes lesions (damaged skin tissue) that can become inflamed and be red, painful or sore.
Lesions are most likely to appear on your cheeks, but may also appear in the following places:
Face
Neck
Back
Shoulders
Chest
What can make hormonal acne worse?
Stress & Poor diet (specifically refined carbs and sugars)
Pollution
High humidity
Squeezing or picking at blemishes
When should I treat my hormonal acne?
It is recommended to treat acne when it begins to prevent breakouts from continuing, which could lead to permanent scarring and potential self-esteem issues if left untreated.
How can I reduce my risk of hormonal acne?
Though hormonal acne can be unavoidable, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of getting breakouts:
Make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, get better sleep and eat a healthy diet.
Use skincare products that won’t clog pores.
Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider for persistent acne.
Information sourced from the Cleveland Clinic