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Hormones and Adult Acne

It’s depressing to think that you have to battle acne as a teenager and again as an adult. Some people have that kind of skin. Adult acne can be hormonally driven which makes it even harder to deal with. Learn how hormones contribute to adult acne.

Adult acne is more common than you think. It affects both men and women but more women than men. Why women? They have more hormonal changes going on in their bodies than men.

We all have hormones. They regulate certain functions in the body. Hormones play an important role in puberty, bringing about the secondary sex characteristics that change us from young boys and girls to growing men and women.

For women, hormones bring on the menstrual cycle – the process that signals the beginning of the childbearing stage of a woman’s life. Two main hormones, progesterone and estrogen contribute to menstruation and the symptoms you feel before and during your period.

What do these hormones have to do with adult acne? Normally sebaceous glands (sweat glands) produce an oily substance called sebum. When you sweat, the oils come out on your skin. When you wash your face, using warm water opens the pores so the cleansers can wash out dirt, oils and other debris (like dead skin) that can cause infection and clog the pore.

For women, a monthly menstrual cycle increases the levels of female hormones in the body. These hormones can cause more oil to be produced. Excess oil can clog pores and lead to whiteheads (closed pimples). These whiteheads are filled with the excess oil that is trying to leave your pores. So, besides bloating, cramps and irritation you also have to deal with tender, painful acne.

Unfortunately, that’s not all. In post-menopausal women, the levels of female hormones are reduced. That means that estrogen and progesterone are not causing excess oil but androgens (hormones produced in the adrenal glands and the reproductive organs) levels are now higher in your system. Testosterone causes hair growth on your face in places you don’t want hair. If not cleaned properly, these hair follicles can get infected leading to - you guessed it - more adult acne.

How is adult acne treated? Doctors will prescribe over-the-counter medications that become part of your cleansing routine. If these don’t work there is also oral medication.

For women, doctors sometimes prescribe birth control pills. The pills keep hormone levels stable so acne doesn’t get worse. If too much androgen is still being produced, there are drugs that suppress its production in the body so excess oil is not a contributing factor to acne.

Hormones help the body to function properly but they can also contribute to adult acne. If you notice acne becoming a problem at certain times of the month, consult your dermatologist.

SBI!