Hormonal Acne and Acne Treatment

No one likes acne. It is a tough thing to deal with as a teenager going through puberty, but can be even harder when it pops back into your life as an adult. Behind the outbreaks are hormones, those chemicals in the body that control bodily functions and changes in the body. Hormonal acne in women is associated with the menstrual cycle.

Before letting you in on the three principles, we must understand more about the hormonal cycles in a woman which can cause acne.

The Biochemical Cause of Acne:

Hormonal acne occurs when the sebaceous glands are over-stimulated by androgens, the hormones which trigger oil production, and acne flare-ups are the result. Nearly half of all women experience acne flare-ups and increased facial oiliness during the week preceding menstruation. As androgens are released prior to the menstrual cycle, sebaceous glands are stimulated and sebum is produced. If this sebum becomes trapped in the pores, pimples may result.

From the beginning of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels in the female body steadily increase. Approximately 36 hours before ovulation, these levels will peak. Androgen levels rise, and it is actually converted into estrogen by the ovaries. This is why many women witness acne breakouts right before their menstrual cycles. The body needs the extra estrogen for ovulation to occur, and surprisingly it is the male hormone, androgen, that makes this extra hormonal kick possible.

Keeping Hormonal Acne at Bay, The Three Principles

Principle #1: Do Not Pick at Pimples

It is very tempting to pop pimples, for some people. But once you do the deed, you are actually doing yourself harm. Squeezing acne pimples actually spreads oil and bacteria on your face, which can clog other pores in the area, causing more pimples. Plus, the pimple is not fully ‘popped’ by squeezing, underneath there is still a clogged pore which will likely resurface as a pimple. Therefore, leave the pimple alone and wash your face twice a day with an acne targeted cleanser. There are also concealers which contain salicylic acid, an acne drying substance.

Principle #2: Reduce Stress in Your Life

Adult hormonal acne causes much anguish for many women. But there is a simple answer to control it and have healthy skin. Reduce stress in your life. Studies indicate that stress may trigger acne in women. Therefore, if you can manage to reduce the stress levels in your life, you can curtail the amount of androgens being produced in your body and get healthy skin.

It is understandable that some women’s lives are full of stress. But it is very important, besides the hormonal acne, for you as a person to learn how to de-stress. If you are fortunate enough to live near the ocean, simply observing its waves will lessen your stress. If not the ocean, try a park with beautiful trees. If this is not an option, simply thinking of tress or the ocean and visualizing them in your mind will de-stress you. You will feel better, and the hormone androgen will not be as stimulated as when you were stressed out.

Principle #3: Consume More Essential Oils

Consuming salmon and olive oil can actually help against hormonal acne. Researchers have found that essential oils found in fatty acids in these two foods actually block androgen receptors in the body. This means that the main oil producing hormone can be blocked by simply eating more delicious salmon. Replacing vegetable oil with olive oil in your salad will also help to block the oily hormone androgen.

Treatments for Hormonal Acne

There are several treatment options available for women with hormonal acne, including topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials (such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics), and oral antibiotics that are prescribed when the inflammation is more severe. Anti-androgen medication is also available.

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