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Almost all of us suffered through those
awkward teenage years when we were plagued by acne. Whether it’s an
occasional blemish or horrendous constant break-outs, having pimples is
pretty much a right of passage that starts to clear as we get
older—but unfortunately, not all of us grow out of breakouts. Yup, acne
can become a persistent problem that only gets worse in adulthood.
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Adult hormonal acne is one of the most frustrating things to deal
with. How are you supposed to feel confident as an adult when your face
is still acting like it’s going through puberty? And no matter what you
do, you feel like nothing is working to give you the smooth, flawless
complexion you’ve always wanted. We wish we could wave our magic wands
and make all the acne in the world disappear, but unfortunately we
can’t. What we can do, however, is provide you with a list 10 things to
know about hormonal acne that could really help you out in the long run.
1. Adult hormonal acne is more common than you think
We normally associate acne with being a teenager, but research shows
that over 50% of people in their twenties and 25% of people in their
thirties suffer from acne. You’re not alone!
2. Hormonal acne is most prevalent around the chin, mouth, and jawline
Teenage acne tends to pop up in the T-zone area (forehead, nose and
chin), but adult hormonal acne will almost look like a beard, appearing
on the lower part of your face.
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3. Male hormones are the problem
Androgens, which are male hormones found in both men and women, are a
huge contributing factor to the presence of acne. With hormonal acne,
androgen levels can be either elevated or normal, but in both cases they
overstimulate the oil glands, therefore causing acne.
4. Painful, cystic bumps are normal
If you’re experiencing sensitive, almost cystic bumps, it’s probably
hormonal. Hormonal acne tends to produce deep and painful pimples that
don’t come to a head. It’s important to remember not to pick at these
spots, as these are the most likely to leave a scar.
5. Topical treatments don’t work well
In some cases of hormonal acne, breakouts can be quite resistant to
topical treatments. This is because the problem is coming from within
your body, and not from what’s happening on the surface. In the cases
where acne doesn’t respond to creams or face washes, it may be best to
seek professional medical advice.
6. You can have your hormone levels checked
Hormonal testing can be done to specifically check for any hormonal
imbalances that may be causing acne. Doctors will then be able to
provide a more targeted treatment. This can be especially helpful for
people with moderate to severe acne that is also accompanied by other
hormone-related issues, such as weight gain and hair growth.
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7. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause
If you’re experiencing acne along with facial and body hair growth, irregular periods and trouble controlling weight, polycystic ovary syndrome
may be the cause. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that often causes small
cysts to grow on your ovaries. In addition, it also results in a slew of
other hormone-related problems. If the symptoms we mentioned sound
familiar to you, it’s time to visit a doctor.
8. Oral contraceptives can help regulate your hormones
A common way to get hormones under control and to clear up acne is to
go on the pill (Sorry, boys. This won’t work for you). By taking birth
control, you are lowering the levels of testosterone in your body, which
is what normally triggers oil production and causes acne. By lowering
these levels, the amount of acne usually clears up, or is significantly
reduced.
9. Spironolactone can help, as well
Spironolactone, or Aldactone, is a medication most commonly used for
high-blood pressure but, when used in conjunction with oral
contraceptives, is known for producing excellent acne-clearing results.
This medicine is an anti-androgen, which means it blocks the androgens,
or the male hormones, in our bodies. This, in turn, allows for less
hormone fluctuations and less acne!
[post_ads_2]10. Your diet could be the issue
If absolutely nothing is working for you, then it may be what you’re eating that’s causing the problem.
For example, while not proven, there have been links connecting dairy consumption with acne, as dairy products contain hormones which can throw off our bodies. If possible, try eliminating certain foods for a while and see if it helps. It’s also important to remember to eat lots of vegetables and to stick to foods with a lower glycemic index.
