Treating Hormonal Acne Without Birth Control
Are you frustrated that youre still dealing with acne well past your teenage years? ;Youre not alone. A significant amount of women experience breakouts well in their 40s.
While inflammation and bacteria are the two main culprits of acne for many women, hormones are the underlying trigger for breakouts. Specifically, androgen receptors in women tend to be particularly sensitive leading to excess oil production creating a perfect environment for bacteria.
Is Menopausal Acne A Form Of Hormonal Acne
Many women begin to experience menopause in their 40s and 50s. This causes a natural decline in your reproductive hormones, resulting in an end to menstruation.
Some women experience acne during menopause. This is likely due to a drop in estrogen levels or an increase in androgen hormones like testosterone.
You may still experience menopausal acne even if youre using hormone replacement therapies to ease your menopause symptoms. This is because some HRTs use an influx of the hormone progestin to replace the estrogen and progesterone your body loses. Introducing this hormone to your system can cause your skin to break out.
In most cases, prescription medication can clear up menopausal acne. Some women may find success using natural treatment methods. Talk to your doctor about which options may be right for you.
How To Treat Acne Caused By Birth Control
Acne caused by birth control can be treated with any methods used for acne in general. This can include: gentle cleansers and oil-free lotions, prescribed topical medications containing antibiotics or retinoids , prescribed oral medication, light therapy, chemical peels, and injectable treatments. Sometimes, a combination of these methods can work best as an acne treatment.
Recommended Reading: Does Melatonin Make It Hard To Wake Up
Decrease Your Stress Levels
There is a positive correlation between stress and acne, although the connection is not entirely understood. One theory is that increased levels of cortisol may have an effect on the sebaceous glands, leading to an increase in sebum production, promoting greater acne production. Getting enough sleep and exercise can help combat high stress.
Limit Caffeine And Alcohol
Limiting caffeine and alcohol is another way for how to treat PCOS acne without birth control. While caffeine and alcohol may not directly cause acne, they can have an affect on the body in ways that tend to lead to higher likelihood of acne, especially if you have acne-prone skin. Both caffeine and alcohol can affect your bodys stress response. An altered stress response can have a downstream effect on the rest of our hormones. Alcohol specifically can negatively affect your GI tract and balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which as we discussed can have a link to skin health. Limiting caffeine and alcohol can help to prevent acne before your period.
Recommended Reading: What Are Bioidentical Hormones Made From
Balance Your Blood Sugar
Balancing blood sugar is another one of the methods for how to treat PCOS acne without brith control. Blood sugar imbalances can lead to hormone imbalances, most notably elevated androgen levels like testosterone. Insulin is main hormone that controls our blood sugar which is a factor in our energy levels, hunger, and mood. When there are insulin imbalances, then this can cause testosterone and estrogen imbalances too. This explains why blood sugar imbalances are a common experience for those with PCOS. With blood sugar imbalances, insulin has a difficult time keeping up with demands, and the cells may become less responsive to allowing the sugar into the cells, where it is needed for energy. Over time insulin can signal the ovaries to start producing more testosterone, which can result in symptoms like acne. A way to prevent acne before your period is to balance your blood sugar. Do this by not skipping meals, eating consistently throughout the day, and including protein, healthy fat, and fiber at all meals and snacks.
How Long Does It Take For Birth Control To Help Acne
It can take as short as 4-6 weeks or as long as a few months after starting birth control pills to see a significant decrease in acne. It is common for women to experience an initial flare-up of acne after starting birth control, but this should eventually go away. The process takes a while because the body may need a few months to get used to the new hormones being introduced.
With all of that being said, women who have more severe acne will need to use topical medications like tretinoin cream or other acne treatment products to get the best results.
Don’t Miss: What Does Low Testosterone Do
How Can Birth Control Prevent Acne
Acne is a direct result of an imbalance of hormones produced by the ovaries: estrogen and progesterone . Sometimes, when the ovaries produce estrogen, it gets turned into progesterone it is the excess of this hormone that can lead to acne. Fortunately, birth control pills turn this function off, preventing the excess of male hormones in your system. More specifically, being on the pill creates a protein that binds to the extra male hormones, resulting in less production of them.
Dr Grosss Treatment Plan
While breakouts may seem totally random, they actually often are scheduled, says Gross, who is based in Manhattan. For example, they may routinely get worse the week before your period.
You have to make sure youre being consistent with your treatment for it to really work. Prevention is really the best treatment because it is important to realize that a blemish can begin to form up to two to three weeks before it appears on the surface of the skin, Gross says.
Read Also: How To Produce More Melatonin
How To Treat Hormonal Acne
Dermatologists usually treat hormonal acne in one of three ways: with birth control, Spironolactone, or retinoids. âThe Food and Drug Administration has approved several oral contraceptive pills for use in the control and management of acne,â Dr. Robinson explains. âThese pills can help regulate hormonal levels and their impact on skin.â Spironolactone, on the other hand, is actually a prescription blood pressure medication that blocks the effects of hormones on oil glands and acne. âTopical retinoids are helpful in all forms of acne, because of their effect on unclogging pores,â Dr. Robinson says. âThis can also help to control excess oil related to hormonal acne.â
While you should talk to your dermatologist about all of these standard options if you havenât already, thereâs research to support seven new, prescription-free methods for battling hormonal blemishes. Ahead, all the derm-approved options you probably havenât tried yet.
Cut Out Dairy: âElimination of dairy has helped many of my patients resolve acne,â Dr. Brighten says. âDon’t hate me! Often, women need to give it a good six weeks of zero dairy to see results.â Dr. Wood notes that skim milk is a major offender, and suggests swapping out the skim in your morning coffee for almond milk.
Stay Away From Cows Dairy :
Research shows that dairy can cause acne due to high levels of iodine. While milk itself does not naturally contain iodine, farmers give their cows iodine-fortified feed to prevent infection. They also use iodine solutions to sanitize cow udders and milking equipment. As a result, the iodine gets into the milk itself.
According to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology consuming dairy specifically, low fat/skim milk is much higher in teenagers who have acne. Safer options are goat and sheep milk.
Recommended Reading: Does Nugenix Have An Estrogen Blocker
How Do Birth Control Pills Work
Certain birth control types can help some women improve their acne by regulating preexisting hormone imbalances. Others, however, can have the opposite effect and make acne worse! Below is your guide to choosing the right birth control to help with acne. Birth control pills work by temporarily changing the hormonal balance in your body. These pills contain a different combination of estrogen
, IUDs, implants can all potentially benefit some women with acne. Unfortunately, they do not have the same effect across the board, and some birth controls that work well for certain women can be the worst nightmare for others.
Certain tend to affect the hormonal balance in a way that typically reduces breakouts, while other pills or IUDs tend to have the opposite and make acne worse. This effect typically depends on the dose of progesterone. As a rule of thumb, birth control that contains a higher level of progesterone will have a stronger androgenic effect and have a higher risk
The 5 Natural Supplements To Stop Hormonal Acne
Last updated on by Alisa Vitti
Is there anything more cruel than adult acne? Youve suffered through the skin;issues of adolescence only to discover that adulthood comes with its own host of blemishes. So unfair, right?
Trust me, Ive been there. Before I created and then lived, the FLO Living protocol, it took me an hour and a half just to leave the house. My face and back were covered in cystic hormonal acne that I had to cover with heavy makeup just to feel confident enough to carry on with my life. If that painful scenario sounds even remotely familiar, then youll really want to pay attention. Your skin shouldnt rule your life and hurt your self-esteem. By learning to heal your endocrine system naturally, you can regain control of your beautiful face and body and learn to love your skin again. I certainly did!
Read Also: Is Melatonin Safe To Take For Sleep
Patience & Consistency Is Key
THIS SUPPLEMENT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE.
I have suffered with adult acne in one way or another since puberty, I am now 27 and my cystic acne became out of control. 4 years ago I completed an intense & intrusive course of Roaccuate, which totally cleared my skin up… however it didn’t fix the ROOT CAUSE…. my hormones! This meant eventually my acne did return.
I started taking The Anti Acne Club supplements 4 months ago, I suffered a horrible purge which is to be expected around a month into the course, this for me lasted around 2 months. It was disheartening as I kept thinking to myself “There’s no cure for my acne, I will be the unlucky one where this supplement just doesn’t work for me” and how wrong I was. Everyday I would come online and read the reviews just holding on to hope that one day I would be saying the same.
These supplements have not only cleared up my acne but have also reduced my PMS along with mood swings around the time of month.
TIP: Make sure you take BOTH capsules at the same time with breakfast. I found the directions slightly misleading and took one with breakfast and one with dinner which I have now been told is incorrect.
I am so pleased I stuck to the course and can finally say I am acne free and I currently have my time of month!!!
My advice to anyone who is struggling through the purging stage is to KEEP GOING, TRUST THE PROCESS – THIS IS BACKED BY SCIENCE!
And for anyone who is considering going on Roaccuate – PLEASE TRY THESE
How Is It Hormonal
Hormonal acne is triggered by fluctuating hormone levels. Thats why you might get more breakouts if you have a vajayjay.
Females are more susceptible to hormonal acne since we experience fluctuations in female sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone monthly with our menses, says Zenovia Gabriel, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and hormonal skin care expert.
A breakout can be the first sign of hormonal imbalance. The pimples are proof your body is adjusting.
An increase in testosterone stimulates our oil glands to produce excess sebum, which is one major cause of acne, says Zenovia.
You May Like: Are My Hormones Making Me Gain Weight
Heres How To Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne
Before you get downtrodden about the finicky nature of hormonal acne, know first that its pesky, but perfectly normal. So normal, in fact, that there are many methods to help treat it.
Most people with hormonal acne have tried over-the-counter treatments to no avail. If they arent working for you, you may need to seek the help of a dermatologist, who can offer prescription hormonal acne treatments. In general, its a good idea to see your dermatologist if you have deep or cystic pimples, because they could be a marker of something more serious, such as a thyroid condition or abnormal hormone levels, adds Jegasothy. Keep reading to learn how to treat hormonal acne.
The hormonal acne treatment pyramid starts with good over-the-counter cleansers. When choosing yours, there are a few key ingredients to look for:
In acne patients of any age, most dermatologists will consider topical retinoids as the first step for treatment of mild to moderate acne, especially when its hormonal. Retinoids help your skin slough off dead skin cells at a more normal rate so the dead skin cells don’t bind together and clog your pores, explains Peredo. They are the preferred avenue for long-term treatment because of the limited severe side effects and are known for preventing new acne in the long term.
Related:
How To Control Hormonal Acne With Natural Cures
Right Here Are Several Basic Things You Can Do To Help Balance Your Hormones Overall:
1.) Hormonal Acne Diet Consume a Low GI Organic Diet
Reduce all bad food, especially stimulants and sugar. Consume low GI, healthy organic food. Reduce fruits as well. Despite the fact that they are good, dont eat too much because the sugar can be stimulating and add stress.
2.) Use Natural Anti-Androgrens
- Omega 3 Fish Oil
- Flaxseed Oil
- GLA from Evening Primrose Oil
6.) Destress Yourself
Please dont underestimate the impact this has on your hormones and acne. Whenever you are stressed your adrenal glands generates Cortisol that contributes to increased androgens and increased acne.
These are a few basic herbs and essential vitamins and suggestions of things that can be really helpful for balancing your hormones overall. Ensure to do your own personal research to make sure something is right for you.
Probably the most important thing you need to do first is to go and get your hormones tested using a saliva test. It is much more accurate than a blood test. It will give you a far better picture of what you have to work on. I will be writing a lot more articles on this website that go into detail on some of the things above which will give you more specifics and hopefully help you.
- How to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally at Home?
Things You will Need
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
- Tips and Warnings about Hormonal Treatment for Acne
You May Like: Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Migraines
Is There A Way To Balance Hormones Without Birth Control
There are several medications besides birth control that can help balance hormones and effectively treat acne. One of the most effective is called Spironolactone , an oral medication used to treat high blood pressure does not contain hormones or synthetic hormones. It’s actually a diuretic that works as an androgen blocker, which means it blocks the effects of male hormones in the body like testosterone, contributing to oil production and, ultimately, acne.
Be Mindful About Dairy
There is a possibility that dairy can cause acne for some people. Here are some potential explanations:
- Casein sensitivity. If youre sensitive to A1 beta-casein, a protein in cows dairy, it can cause an inflammatory reaction that shows up on your complexion. These are the people who have dramatic results when they cut out cows dairy. They also find that eating some goats and/or sheeps dairy is fine because these contain a different form of beta-casein.
- Whey sensitivity. This is another type of protein found in cows milk. Like casein, it can cause problems in some people. It also increases insulin. Together, these contribute to the bodybuilder acne that can develop when people eat lots of whey-based protein powder.
- Hormonal interplay. This is how dairy affects the rest of us. Youve likely heard that milk contains hormones -and the theory is that these hormones mess with your hormones and give you breakouts. But the interplay between acne and dairy is far more complex than this.
Dairy does contain some hormones, but its impact on acne likely stems from the messages its giving our bodies.
Studies show;that drinking milk causes our liver to create more of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor-1 .
As the name suggests, IGF-1 gives cells in the body the message that its time to start growth processes. Milk programs offspring to grow. Cows milk specifically is designed to help a calf double its birth weight in 40 days.
It may be worth a try for you, too.;
Also Check: Are Melatonin Gummies Safe To Take Every Night
Look For These Active Ingredients
Products containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid have been scientifically proven to help treat acne. They kill bad bacteria associated with acne and accelerate skin cell turnover.
Pro tip: Stick to face wash if you have sensitive skin. Leave-on masks and other products might cause irritation. Wash your face daily for the best results.
What Causes Hormonal Acne
As Dr. Jennifer MacGregor of Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York explained, its typically related to a womans menstrual cycle and the fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone that come along with it. In an article published by Self last year, Miami-based dermatologist S. Manjula Jegasothy said that these hormonal fluctuations are believed to cause increased oil production in pores, which could result in breakouts. Additionally, Jegasothy said the ratio of progesterone to estrogen can also have an effect on a womans testosterone levels, which can contribute to acne.
Hormonal acne occurs or gets worse in cyclic flares along with monthly menstrual cycles, MacGregor said. Its typically worst during the week right before your period starts, when progesterone is at its peak.
Women may experience hormonal breakouts during menopause as well, as female hormone levels drop during this time, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
If youre trying to figure out whether youre dealing with this type of acne, some signs to look out for, MacGregor said, are cyclic flares each month, distribution along the lower face, jawline and/or around the mouth and deeper, painful pimples .
If you have oily skin, T-zone acne, blackheads and/or whiteheads, then probably not hormonal acne, she said.
Another factor that may contribute to hormonal breakouts is stress.
Stress makes all inflammatory skin conditions worse! MacGregor said. This includes all types of acne.
Recommended Reading: What Is Hormone Negative Breast Cancer