What Is Hormonal Acne and How Do I Get Rid of It?

What Is Hormonal Acne and How Do I Get Rid of It?

Hormonal acne, often called adult acne, affects adults between 20 and 50. Unlike teenage acne, which is mainly driven by puberty, hormonal acne sticks around or even shows up later in life.

You might notice bumps on your face, shoulders, chest, and back. These can appear as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or even painful cysts. The root cause? An overproduction of sebum from the oil glands is often triggered by hormonal fluctuations.

Who Gets Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne doesn’t discriminate much, but it does have its preferences. Women are more often affected than men, especially during pregnancy, menopause, or other times when hormones go haywire. It’s estimated that hormonal acne hits a significant majority of women, particularly in their 20s and 40s.

Will Your Skin Condition Flare Up More?

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the U.S., affecting nearly 80% of the population at some point in their lifetime.

This isn’t just a teenage problem. About 50% of women in their 20s and 25% of women in their 40s experience hormonal acne, making it an all-too-familiar companion for many. The confusion between fungal and hormonal acne often arises because both start in the hair follicles.

But while fungal acne is driven by an excess of yeast, hormonal acne results from excess sebum. Whiteheads, itchiness, and skin that turns red, irritated, and inflamed are all hallmarks of hormonal acne, though fungal acne tends to be itchier.

Why Is Treating Hormonal Acne So Tough?

Treating hormonal acne can be frustrating. Traditional acne creams, such as topical retinoids or antibiotics, often fall short. Even Isotretinoin (usually known as Accutane) doesn’t always work.

And to make matters worse, hormonal acne is notorious for coming back even after a successful course of Roaccutane. The condition can lead to prolonged redness, scarring, and pigmentation issues. The persistent comedones on the face, particularly around the temples, cheeks, and jawline, can also enlarge the pores on your nose and cheeks.

Living with hormonal acne isn’t just about managing the breakouts. It’s about maintaining your quality of life. Fungal acne might show more minor, more evenly sized spots that can be confused with hormonal acne, but they’re different in location and treatment.

What Causes Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne happens when hormonal changes increase the oil your skin makes. This extra oil mixes with bacteria in your pores and hair follicles, causing clogged pores. The result? Acne in various forms.

Sebum from the sebaceous glands in the middle layer of the skin can also play a significant role. When dead skin cells and bacteria get trapped in clogged pores, breakouts follow.

A few things can worsen hormonal acne, like stress, lack of sleep, or skin care products that aren’t oil-free or labelled as non-comedogenic. On the other hand, changing hormone levels in women during their period, pregnancy, menopause, or after stopping birth control can make things even more challenging.

Men undergoing testosterone treatment or those with a family history of acne might also see more breakouts. Sometimes, a side effect of a medication like steroids or a pre-existing medical condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome, other ovarian conditions, or metabolic conditions can lead to hormonal acne.

How Do I Know If I Have Hormonal Acne?

Identifying hormonal acne starts with a visit to your healthcare provider. During a physical examination, they will assess your acne and consider various contributing factors.

These include your use of skin care products, your stress and sleep habits, and any current medications and recent hormonal changes. Understanding these factors is crucial in diagnosing whether your acne is hormone-related.

Treatments for Hormonal Acne

Treating hormonal acne can be different from dealing with regular acne. Your doctor might suggest topical creams or oral medications like antibiotics or oral isotretinoin. Aviclear acne laser treatment could be a choice for a more drug-free option.

However, anti-androgen treatments are often necessary to manage the effects of androgens. Medications such as Spironolactone or a combined oral contraceptive pill that contains oestrogen and progesterone may help. In some cases, Metformin is used to regulate hormones like IGF-1, which are linked to acne. Your dermatologist will guide you through these options, considering the best treatment plan for your situation.