How to Get Rid of Hormonal Acne

Seeing pimples on the skin in adulthood can be upsetting given that they are more common in adolescence.
Acne is the most common skin disease in the United States, affecting nearly 80% of the population during their lifetime. Hormonal acne affects about 50% of women in their twenties and 25% of women in their forties.

About Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne is a direct result of excess sebum in the sebaceous glands. Adults between the ages of 20 and 50 are affected by hormonal acne, sometimes referred to as adult acne.. Acne causes bumps on the face, shoulders, chest and back in the following forms: pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts.
Hormonal acne affects both men and women, but most cases occur in women, pregnant women, and postmenopausal women.
Hormonal acne usually occurs in the T-zone during puberty, and this includes the forehead, nose, and chin.
Adult hormonal acne typically appears on the lower face. This includes the lower part of the cheeks and around the jaw.
In some people, hormonal acne takes the form of blackheads, white pimples, and small pimples that develop into heads or cysts.
Cysts form deep under the skin and do not reach the head at the surface. These lumps are often painful to the touch.

What is Fungal Acne Compared to Hormonal Acne?
Fungal acne is often confused with hormonal acne because both types of acne start in the hair follicles. Fungal acne is caused by yeast overgrowth while hormonal acne is caused by excess sebum. Blackheads from fungal acne are itchy and can often cause redness, irritation, and swelling.

Symptoms and Causes of Hormonal Acne

Acne is the result of clogged pores. Hormonal acne occurs when the skin becomes oilier due to hormonal changes. This oil affects the bacteria in the skin's pores (follicles) where hair grows, causing acne. Causes of clogged pores are:

• Excessive sebum production (oily substances produced by the sebaceous glands in the middle layer of the skin)
• Dead skin cells
• Bacteria

Hormonal acne can be caused by the following hormones:

• Menstruation
• Menopause
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Elevated androgen levels

These specific hormonal fluctuations can cause acne problems.

• Systemic dermatitis
• Skin cells trapped in hair follicles
• Formation of oil (sebum) in the pores
• Propionibacterium anesis, the bacterium that causes acne, is produced

Causes of Hormonal Acne

Controllable hormonal causes of acne
Stress, Lack of sleep, Use oil-free or non-comedogenic (non-comedogenic or non-acne) hair and skin care products.

Causes of hormonal acne that you can’t control
Menstruation, irregular periods, changes in female hormone levels during pregnancy, menopause or after stopping birth control.
Men treated with testosterone.
A family history of acne (genetic predisposition).
Side effects of medication (steroids).
Pre-existing conditions (PCOS, other ovarian and metabolic diseases).

Is Hormonal Acne Caused by Pregnancy?

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can result in acne. Acne often improves as pregnancy progresses. There are many treatments to avoid during pregnancy, including topical retinoids, salicylic acid, and isotretinoin. Ask your doctor about the safest acne treatments to reduce and eliminate acne breakouts during pregnancy.

Is Menopausal Acne A Form of Hormonal Acne?

For many women, menopause begins between the ages of 40 and 50. This naturally causes your reproductive hormones to drop, resulting in a missed period.
Some women experience acne during menopause. This may be due to decreased estrogen levels or increased androgen hormones such as testosterone.
You can still get postmenopausal acne even if you use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve menopausal symptoms. This is because some HRT uses the influx of the hormone progestin to replace the estrogen and progesterone that your body loses. Getting this hormone into your system can cause your skin to break out.
In most cases, prescribed medications relieve postmenopausal acne. Some women may succeed with natural remedies. Consult your doctor about your alternatives since they may be the best ones for you.

Symptoms of Hormonal Acne

Acne causes lesions (damaged skin tissue) that can become inflamed and red, tender, or tender. The lesions most often appear on the cheeks, but they can also appear in the following areas:
Face, neck, shoulders, back and chest.

Hormonal acne can manifest itself in the form of the following types of lesions:
Whiteheads, papules (raised skin tissue 2 to 5 mm in diameter), pustules, pustules (pus-filled bumps on the skin 2 to 5 mm in diameter), and cysts (pockets of fluid under the skin)

Hormonal acne can be exacerbated by stress, pollution, high humidity, stress wrinkles or breakouts, or poor nutrition (particularly refined carbohydrates and sugar).

How Do I Know If I Have Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne is diagnosed during a physical exam by a health care provider who monitors acne and evaluates contributing factors. This includes conversations about:
Products for skin care that you regularly use
Medicines you are currently taking
Stress and sleep habits
Changes in your health (hormonal changes)

Treatments for Hormonal Acne

Treatment is recommended at the onset of acne to prevent further breakouts, which can lead to permanent scarring and potential self-esteem issues if left untreated.
Depending on the severity of your acne, several treatment options are available to reduce oil production, acne breakouts, and painful inflammation:

• Blackheads and pimples: topical cream (tretinoin)
• Moderate to severe acne: antibiotic and/or isotretinoin (retinoid)
• Inflammatory acne: topical retinoid, topical antibiotic, and/or benzoyl peroxide
• Cystic acne: steroid injections (intralesional triamcinolone)

How to Treat Hormonal Acne

Unless hormonal acne is mild, over-the-counter (OTC) products generally don't work.
This is because hormonal acne usually takes the form of cystic pimples. These bumps form deep in the skin, and cannot be reached by most topical medications.
To regulate hormones and cleanse the skin, oral drugs might act from the inside out. Common options include birth control pills and antiandrogens.

Oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives used to treat acne contain ethinyl estradiol and one of the following active ingredients:

• Drospirenone
• Norgestimate
• Norethindrone

Together, these ingredients act on the hormones that contribute to acne. This is especially helpful during periods of high hormone levels, such as ovulation.
Oral contraceptives may not be right for you if you have a history of blood clots, high blood pressure, or breast cancer. It should also not be taken if you are a smoker.

Anti-androgen drugs

Antiandrogen drugs work by reducing the male androgen hormone. Both men and women have normal levels of this hormone. However, too much androgen can contribute to acne problems by disrupting the hair follicles that regulate skin cells and increasing oil production.
Despite being primarily used to treat high blood pressure, spironolactone (Aldactone) also possesses antiandrogenic properties. In other words, it can prevent your body from producing more androgens and stabilize your hormone levels.

Retinoids

Use topical retinoids if your hormonal acne is mild. Vitamin A is the source of retinoid.
There are numerous over-the-counter retinoid creams, gels, and lotions available. But in order to receive a stronger prescription, you might need to visit a doctor. Often, a prescription product is the best method to maintain clear skin.
When adding a topical retinoid to your regimen, it's important to use sunscreen daily. Retinoids can increase the risk of sunburn.

Treatments for Hormonal Acne Naturally

In some cases, botanical treatment options can be used to clear up mild hormonal acne. Natural remedies are usually free of the side effects that prescription options sometimes cause. But it cannot be effective. Research on natural options is lacking and nothing has currently been shown to be effective. Talk to your doctor about the potential risks and make sure the treatment doesn't interact with any medications you're taking.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil reduces the inflammation that contributes to acne. One study found that 5% tea tree oil topical reduced symptoms in participants with mild to moderate acne.
Many skin care products, including cleansers and toners, include tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can also be applied topically as a remedy.
Before using, always dilute tea tree essential oil with carrier oil. Common carrier oils include coconut, jojoba, and olive. As a rule of thumb, add about 12 drops of carrier oil for every one to two drops of essential oil.
It is also important to do a skin test before using diluted tea tree oil. For this, apply the diluted oil on the inner side of the forearm. If you don't feel any irritation or swelling within 24 hours, it's safe to use somewhere else.

Green tea

Inflammation in the body can be decreased by drinking green tea. For a more comprehensive approach, consider drinking a few cups a day as part of your local skincare routine. Here you will find a large selection of green teas. Liquids and gels containing at least 2% green tea extract can help.

Alpha hydroxy acid

The plant acids known as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are predominantly obtained from citrus fruits. The extra dead skin cells that obstruct pores can be removed with the use of alpha hydroxy acids. As an added bonus, alpha hydroxy acids can help reduce the appearance of acne scars.
AHAs are found in many over-the-counter masks and face creams. Like retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids can make skin more sensitive to the sun. Always wear sunscreen when using products that contain alpha hydroxy acid.

Other Treatments for Hormonal Acne

To get rid of hormonal acne, it is important to establish a proper skin care routine.

• In the morning and again at night, wash your face.
• Do not use more than a pea of ​​any acne product. Excessive use can lead to dry skin and increased irritation.
• Use sunscreen daily.
• Use only non-porous products to reduce the risk of clogged pores.
• Daily cleansing of the skin
• Changes in your diet
• Birth control (oral contraceptives)
• Laser therapy or light therapy

Hormonal Acne and Diet

It is still unclear exactly how food and hormonal acne interact. Certain foods can help prevent acne, especially anti-inflammatories.
Plant foods rich in antioxidants can help reduce inflammation and improve skin tone. Skin inflammation can be decreased by omega-3 fatty acids.
Contrary to popular belief, fast food alone does not cause acne. But overeating some foods can increase inflammation.
You can specify: sugar, dairy products, refined carbs, such as white bread and pasta and red meats.

FAQs about Hormonal acne

How can I reduce the risk of hormonal acne?
Although hormonal acne is inevitable, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing acne.
Make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, sleep better, and eat healthy food.
Utilize skincare items that won't clog pores.
Discuss treatment options for persistent acne with your doctor.

When does hormonal acne go away after treatment?
Acne treatments can vary from person to person, but patience is key. In general, it may take four to six weeks after starting treatment before you see any improvement in your skin. Even if you do not notice that the treatment clears your skin, it is recommended to continue the treatment to prevent new cracks from forming.

How does hormonal acne affect my skin?
Hormonal acne causes acne. A lesion or blister appears on the skin that, if left untreated, can become red, swollen, tender, and painful. Moderate to severe acne and untreated acne can lead to scarring where the lesions have formed.

Should I see a dermatologist for hormonal acne?
If acne does not disappear or worsens, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist. Dermatologists will be able to offer more advanced acne-fighting treatments.

How long is hormonal acne?
Acne affects each person differently. It may persist for a few days or several weeks. If left untreated, acne can persist for several months.