Acne is the most common skin condition. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 40 million to 50 million Americans have acne at any one time. For many people, blackheads and whiteheads and pimples are normal parts of puberty but for others particularly in women, acne can be a stubborn problem that occurs even beyond their teenage years. This article will help you to know about hormonal acne treatment methods and after reading it you can Check it out for yourself.
What Does It Mean To Have Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne is the same as what it sounds like – acne tied to fluctuations in your hormones. It is associated with hormonal fluctuations during puberty, hormonal acne can affect adults of any age. It is especially common in women. A number of factors contribute to this including menopause and menstruation.
It is estimated that 50% of women age 20 – 29 have acne. It affects about 25% of women aged 40 – 49.
The hormones are not a factor in adult acne for hormonal imbalances that contribute to acne in adults with underlying medical conditions. In other cases, adults with acne may not have any hormonal issues. This makes diagnosis and treatment challenging.
Characteristics of Hormonal acne?
During puberty hormonal acne mainly appears in the T zone. This includes your forehead and nose and chin. Hormonal adult acne forms on the lower part of your face. This includes the bottom of your cheeks and around your jawline. In some people, hormonal acne takes the form of blackheads and whiteheads and small pimples that come to a head or cysts.
Traditional Treatments For Hormonal Acne.
Over-the-counter products (OTC), are not successful unless your hormonal acne is mild. This is because hormonal acne takes the form of cystic bumps. These bumps form under the skin, and are out of reach of most topical medications.
Oral medications work from the inside out to balance the hormones and clear up the skin. Options include oral contraceptives and antiandrogen drugs.
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives used for Acne treatment contain ethinyl estradiol plus one of the following –
- Drospirenone
- Norgestimate
- Norethindrone
Together these ingredients target the hormones that contribute to acne. This can be helpful during peaks in hormones such as during ovulation.
Oral contraceptives cannot be an option for you if you have a history of blood clots, breast cancer, or high blood pressure. You should not take these even if you smoke.
Anti-androgen Drugs
Antiandrogen drugs work by decreasing the male hormone androgen. Both women and men have natural levels of this hormone. Excess androgen can contribute to acne issues by interfering with hair follicles that regulate skin cells and increase oil production.
Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure, it has antiandrogen effects. It can prevent your body from producing more androgen and allow your hormone levels to stabilize.
Retinoids
If your hormonal acne is mild, you may be able to use topical retinoids. They are derived from vitamin A. Many creams and lotions of retinoids are available in the market. But you have to see your doctor about the prescription. A prescribed product is the most effective way to keep your skin consistently clear. If you add topical retinoid to your regimen, it’s important to apply sunscreen daily. Retinoids can increase the risk of sunburn.
The exact timeline for hormonal acne varies from person to person, being proactive can help prevent related breakouts. It takes about 8 to 10 weeks for a new acne treatment plan to come into full effect. If your acne persists consult a Dermatologist about a long-term treatment plan.
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