Hormones and Acne

What is acne
Acne encompasses blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Most of the times, abnormal change in hormones is the main reason for acne on face, neck and back. Anyone can suffer from acne, from teenagers to adults and it causes skin blemishes which is upsetting. Some of the pimples can lead to permanent scarring. Acne is of two types viz. non-inflammatory and inflammatory. Non-inflammatory acne are whiteheads and blackheads. Check out the link All about blackheads and whiteheads to know more about them. These non-inflammatory acne do not contain pus. Papule and pustule are the inflammatory acne which are infected. Pustules are often referred to as zits or pimples. Let us discuss the relationship between hormones and acne. Hormones and adult acne are associated with each other.

Hormones and Acne in Women
There are many causes of pimples or acne in which hormones and acne are both related. Hormones in women keep on fluctuating from time to time. Acne is the outcome of the festering oil glands and the major cause of hormonal changes in women. Puberty, pregnancy and menopause are those time periods when women experience the outburst of acne. Apart from these time periods, acne is observed in women taking birth control pills. Androgens are male hormones that are present in both men and women. Androgens are responsible for the excess oil precipitated in the skin pores. Acne is the result of bacteria growth in the choked hair follicles.
In puberty, the male hormones, like, dehydroepiandrosterone, which are produced in the adrenal glands, stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete the oil. Increased oil secretion leads to clogged pores and is responsible for onset of acne.
During the menstrual cycle, the estrogen levels in the female body increases. Progesterone is another hormone which is produced after ovulation in the ovaries. Both estrogen and progesterone are responsible for excess oil secretion in the sebaceous glands. Hence pregnant women also experience the onset of acne. Some women experience acne after menopause because the estrogen levels taper off and the testosterone levels increase. This was all about female hormones and acne.

Hormonal Treatment for Acne
Oral contraceptives and anti-androgens are the two hormonal treatments that are prescribed for treating acne. Mild oral contraceptives are used to treat acne for women who have irregular menstrual cycles and excessive production of facial oil. The hormonal treatment for acne is also prescribed for women who experience acne prior to the monthly periods.
Oral contraceptives are used to reduce the excessive oil secretion in the sebaceous glands. This in turn reduces the outburst of acne. Anti-androgens are block the secretion of male hormone called testosterone. The anti-androgen treatment can free you of the disfiguring acne that you face every month.

Adult acne is commonly observed in people and now that you are aware of the connection between hormones and acne, you must consult a doctor to check whether they are hormonal acne. Apart from hormonal treatment there are various topical treatments that cure zits and pimples. Acne must be properly treated, otherwise they can cause permanent scarring on face and neck. Acne due to hormonal change is also due to stress. Stress is an important factor leading to the onset of acne. Drinking lot of water and having a balanced diet can keep you stress free and away from these disfiguring acne. A regular exercise schedule along with balanced diet is important to keep acne away. A good cleansing routine is important as poor hygiene can lead to the acne breakout. When outdoors, protect your skin from sunlight and dust. Sunlight has harmful UV-rays that can damage your skin. These are some of the precautions you can take for acne prevention. It is recommended to consult a doctor for acne treatment.