How to Get Rid of Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne-like condition is when breakouts form in adulthood and might all be about range from blackheads and whiteheads to painful cysts. Hormonal acne-like condition is linked to the overproduction of sebum (which is an oily substance in skin glands) that shall clog pores, which might lead to the pimples-like condition. Though often unavoidable, hormonal acne-like conditions can be treated to prevent future breakouts from forming.

What Is Hormonal Acne?

Acne might develop due to clogged and inflamed pores. Pores are known to be tiny holes in the skin which shall secrete sebum which is an oily substance, which shall seal in the moisture. If a pore might be blocked by sebum or other substances, a pimple can be formed.

Many Factors which can lead to acne formation, are mentioned below:

  • Having oily skin
  • Wearing pore-blocking (comedogenic) products
  • Genetics
  • Taking some specific medications
  • Too much sunlight exposure
  • Hormones

Hormonal acne is known to be an informal term that people might use for acne that might appear to be caused primarily by hormonal changes.

People with some hormonal acne might notice that they are more prone to breakouts:

  • Before or while being in a period
  • During or after pregnancy
  • After starting or stopping birth control pills
  • During perimenopause or menopause

It is not usually possible for distinguishing acne, which is mainly due to hormones from some other types of acne. However, for some people, the timing of their breakouts might be well an indication.

Hormonal Acne Treatments

Some of the professional hormonal acne treatments are mentioned below:

Oral medications (birth control, Accutane, spironolactone, antibiotics)
Prescription topicals (retinoids, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics)
Laser treatments

At-home hormonal acne treatments are mentioned below:

Lifestyle alterations (including managing stress, examining foods consumed, and getting more sleep)
Skincare and spot treatments

Now just let’s break them down so one might know what one might expect before making that dermatologist appointment or buying some more skincare products.

Try Hormone-Regulating Acne Medication/Solutions

You have got two major options when it might all come to regulating and stabilizing the hormones: oral birth control and spironolactone. Both of these medications shall work well by limiting, regulating, or lowering the effects of acne-stimulating androgens in the body (androgens that might include testosterone, are thought of as male sex hormones, though they are found in all humans at varying levels).

Consider Accutane For Hormonal Acne

STOP! Please do not just scroll by with a big ol’ “nope!” Despite one might be about the myths and supposed horror stories one might have heard; Accutane is just not as dangerous as you have been led to believe. Yes, it is all a serious solution (it might need some monthly blood tests and birth-control monitoring, and the temporary side effects which can range from dry eyes to body aches), but it is quite honest about the closest thing to an acne cure that dermatologists have, and it is usually completed with just one six-month treatment.

Experiment With Acne Lasers

There are some different types of in-office lasers that the dermatologist might be used to target and destroy bacteria that are present on your skin, the most popular of which is Aerolase. “Aerolase is known to penetrate the skin, it kills bacteria that is well involved with acne, and might also deliver what is called as a heat shock, which shall shrink the oil glands and might help to cut down on oil production.

Try Prescription Topicals

The dermatologist shall all find the best cocktail for your skin condition, but in general, prescription retinoids are known to be the first line of (topical) defense against hormonal acne. Retinoids might be about speeding up and regulating the shedding of the oil glands, so bacteria do not have anything for feeding off to create inflammation. The prescription-strength retinoids are known to be the most effective solution against cystic acne, which are specially formulated since many of them are formulated with additional acne treatments, including topical antibiotics and some anti-inflammatories.

Try Some Custom-Compounded Acne Treatments

One might be going to tell you, again and again, to go to a dermatologist, but in case you might be about affording it (health insurance, fun!) or do not have access, your next-best bet is Curology, who is an online service/skincare brand, which shall match you with a medical provider (that is well usually about a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant) for creating custom prescription creams for the skin needs.

Get A Great Skincare Routine

Again, there is only so much one can do from a topical standpoint at home when it might all come to treating hormonal acne. As long as one might have a good skincare routine (and, ideally it shall be about a retinoid), the only other powerful cystic-zit fighter one might be trying is benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide not only kills acne-causing bacteria, but it might also lower oil production by decreasing lipid and fatty acid production, and might have some mild whitehead and blackhead-fighting abilities.

Take A Look At Food Consumed

This is just nobody’s favorite topic. But in case your “meals” might currently consist of pizza and cookies and shredded cheddar cheese straight from the bag, all might be well washed down with the consumption of multiple glasses of wine, one must know that you are not exactly helping the hormonal acne situation.

Take Better Care Of Yourself, But Seriously

This might feel like the most frustrating piece of health advice, right? Oh, you are well stressed? Just while working harder at being just less stressed! Just while trying to squeeze in some meditation, performing yoga, doing exercise, therapy, baths, nature walks, sleep, etc.! How easy is that! No pressure! Just breathe! Yeah. Don’t let anything bother you.

Final Notes

Annoyingly, there is only so much one can do at home to help with hormonal acne. There is no shame in working with a dermatologist for trying to get clear skin quickly and do not be afraid to voice any concerns one might have about a treatment that plants your derm. Be your advocate, just come prepared with several questions, and know that your zits will not last forever.

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