When To See Your Dermatologist
If at-home regimens have failed to produce any measurable improvements or your breakouts are getting worse, its time to see a dermatologist who can evaluate your skin and determine the best acne treatment options.
Our doctors will assess numerous factors to formulate a personalized treatment plan, including the severity of your acne, reactions to previous treatments, skin type, and candidacy for prescription medications. Some patients may also benefit from chemical peels and phototherapy to curb hormonal acne.Ready to discuss hormonal acne treatment options that are tailored just for you? Schedule a Dallas dermatology appointment today.
The 5 Natural Supplements You Need To Stop Hormonal Acne
Food is always the most powerful weapon in your arsenal to combat hormonal dysfunction, but natural supplements are essential for speeding up the process of healing and recovery.
Using the right natural supplements every day can get you to where you want to be much faster than using food alone.
Ready to recover your glowing complexion and regain your confidence? Here are my top five natural supplements for preventing and healing hormonal acne:
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.
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Things You Can Try If You Have Acne
These self-help techniques may be useful:
- Do not wash affected areas of skin more than twice a day. Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse.
- Wash the affected area with a mild soap or cleanser and lukewarm water. Very hot or cold water can make acne worse.
- Do not try to “clean out” blackheads or squeeze spots. This can make them worse and cause permanent scarring.
- Avoid using too much make-up and cosmetics.
- Avoid make-up, skincare and suncare products that are oil-based . Use water-based non-comedogenic products, as theyre less likely to block the pores in your skin.
- Completely remove make-up before going to bed.
- If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance-free water-based emollient.
- Regular exercise cannot improve your acne, but it can boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible once you finish exercising as sweat can irritate your acne.
- Wash your hair regularly and try to avoid letting your hair fall across your face.
Although acne cannot be cured, it can be controlled with treatment.
If you develop mild acne, it’s a good idea to speak to a pharmacist for advice.
Several creams, lotions and gels for treating spots are available to buy from pharmacies.
Products containing a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide may be recommended, but be careful as this can bleach clothing.
How To Prevent & Treat Hormonal Acne
So how do you treat hormonal acne, and better yet, how can you prevent it? Its a good rule of thumb to wash your face every morning and evening and to hydrate your skin with a moisturizer. If your skin is dry, that can also cause an increase in sebum production in an effort for the skin to hydrate itself, says Dr. Hartman. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to treat hormonal acne.
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Why Hormonal Acne Happens
Hormonal acne can accompany natural shifts in the menstrual cyclefor example, when youre moving from your ovulation phase into your pre-menstruation phase.. It can also be triggered by high levels of androgens and stress. Research suggests that the oil-producing glands in the skin can act as their own independent endocrine organs, responding to messages from hormones like testosterone and the stress hormone cortisol.
Women need androgens for optimal health , some stress in life is inevitable, and hormonal fluctuations during the month are not just normal but important. You want them to happen! But heres whats NOT a sure thing: acne.
Acne isnt an inevitable side effect of normal hormonal fluctuations and life stressors. Its a sign of endocrine dysfunction and a big SOS: your hormones are in trouble!. And this can happen any time in adulthood: During your 20s and 30s, during pregnancy, after baby, and even during perimenopause.
The good news is that sending help to your hormones, including using supplements to help heal and balance them, is easy.
How To Treat Hormonal Acne From The Inside Out
Theres clearly more to the hormone balance story than most of us have ever been taught. Based on what we know about the root causes associated with acne, I use the following steps to treat hormonal acne from the inside out. This approach supports the bodys natural ability to balance hormones, reduces inflammation by removing dietary and environmental triggers , supports the bodys natural detoxification process, and focuses on specific herbs and supplements that can provide additional support.
Step 1. Eat for Skin Health
The goals of eating for skin health are to
- balance your blood sugar to reduce insulin resistance,
- eliminate excess inflammation, and
- supply your body with the nutrients and important phytochemicals your body needs for skin health and hormone balance.
The healthiest diet for this is based on a Mediterranean-style of eating that emphasizes plenty of daily whole fresh foods, vegetables, fruits , balanced amounts of protein from fish and legumes, and healthy fats like those in fish, olive oil, and avocados, and slow-burning carbs from whole grains.
In my practice, I usually start my patients out with a 12-week elimination diet to identify any personal triggers, while they are following these dietary and nutritional recommendations:
Step 2: Remove Endocrine Disruptors
Step 3: Support Gut Health
GI symptoms are 37% more likely for those with acne and may play a role in acne in many more women than that.
Step 4. Support Natural Detoxification
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Increase Alkaline Foods And Decrease Acidic Foods:
Meat-based proteins coffee, alcohol, sugar and processed grains all foods that are a big part of the typical American dietare acid-forming in the system. This leads to a condition called acidosis. Acidosis is the technical term for over-acidification. The main symptom of acidosis is fatigue.
Other symptoms include loss of enthusiasm for life, loss of sex drive, poor sleep quality, depression and tiring quickly both mentally and physically. Advanced stage symptoms of acidosis include sensitivity to cold, low blood pressure, hypo or hyperthyroid and low blood sugar.
These symptoms are caused because the main minerals that are required to nourish the nervous system, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are the very same minerals that the body uses to neutralize acids!
Studies show that alkaline foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains help neutralize these acids Just by eating more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in replace of meat, sugar and other processed foods you will not believe how amazing you feel in just a few days!
Look Into Chemical Peels
Chemical peels or chemo exfoliation is a professional procedure that involves applying a blend of hydroxy acids to clear out the pores from the gunk thats causing acne breakouts and help soothe redness and inflammation.
Chemical peels vary in strength and depth therefore, its not a treatment that should be done too frequently or at all times of the year.
Due to their strength and risk of leaving the skin sensitive and reactive for a certain period of time after the procedure winter is the best time to do these treatments.
Usually, even the most stubborn acne clears out after 3-4 sessions. You should visit your esthetician and talk to them about things such as your skin concerns and expectations from visiting them, your budget, lifestyle, diet, etc.
We estheticians love it when our clients are upfront and honest with us, as this is how we are able to help them best. Dont be shy to ask your esthetician about whatever may concern you before and after having a treatment.
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Differin Gel Adapalene Gel 01% Acne Treatment
Utilizing the breakout-busting benefits of retinoids, the Differin Gel Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment promotes cellular turnover to speed up the lifecycle of your hormonal breakouts and expedite their healing. Also acting as a potent, professional-grade preventative treatment, this drugstore-favorite treatment gel unclogs pores, reduces redness and inflammation and creates a smoother, clearer complexion.
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Symptoms Of Hormonal Acne
During puberty, hormonal acne often appears on the T-zone, which includes your nose, chin, and forehead. Hormonal acne in adults may start on the lower area of the face, which includes the jawline and lower cheeks.
Acne may appear as comedones, which are of two types whiteheads and blackheads.
Blackheads open at the surface of the skin, and they appear black after sebum interacts with the air.
Whiteheads are closed beneath the skin surface and appear white on top.
Touching or picking at comedones may rupture the follicle wall, but some ruptures also happen spontaneously. When this occurs, sebum and bacteria from the ruptured pore can spread to the surrounding area, leading to inflammation. Inflammatory acne starts as papules, which are commonly referred to as pimples.
Acne may also appear as:
- Papules: Small, raised, red bumps from inflammation or infection of the hair follicles
- Pustules: Small and red pus-filled pimples
- Nodules: Similar to papules but larger in diameter, this type is also dense and painful and lies deep in the skin
- Cysts: Large lumps under the skin that contain pus and may be painful and tender
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How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Hormonal Acne
Though hormonal acne can be unavoidable, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of getting breakouts:
- Make lifestyle changes to reduce stress, get better sleep and eat a healthy diet.
- Use skincare products that wont clog pores.
- Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider for persistent acne.
How Is Acne Treated
Regular cleansing, twice a day, is ideal for removing those layers of old oil and makeup.
I often recommend a topical retinoid cream to unclog pores and exfoliate the skin. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory effects, and they increase the rate at which our skin cells divide. This helps to heal the skin faster. Many over-the-counter treatments contain retinoids.
Topical anti-inflammatories, like dapsone gel, can also reduce acne. An oral prescription medication called spironolactone can reduce the effects of male hormones. Chemical peels and blue light therapies also help if you want to clear up acne more quickly.
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How Can You Modify Your Diet To Improve Acne
Avoid excessive sugar, desserts and sodas.
In terms of healthful foods, leafy greens and a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C and beta-carotene can be helpful because these nutrients have an anti-inflammatory effect. Also, some studies have shown that the consumption of certain dairy products could be associated with acne.
Exfoliate With Salicylic Acid
The best concentration of salicylic acid is up to two percent when you’re choosing an over-the-counter product. You want to look for a product that unclogs pores and reduces inflammation, Jeanine Downie, MD, New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist, says. She especially likes Benzac for adult hormonal acne. In addition to pore-clearing, skin-exfoliating salicylic acid, the line also contains East Indian sandalwood oil, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties without being harsh or drying.
Try these acne treatment pads from First Aid Beautythey contain maximum strength two percent salicylic acid meant to minimize inflammation in existing acne flare-ups and also keep new ones at bay.
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Try To Reduce Your Stress Levels
In addition to sticking to a hormonal acne-friendly diet and skincare routine, Dr. Zeichner recommends finding stress-reducing outlets, such as yoga or meditation. You should also make sure you’re getting the proper amount of sleep you need every night. Beyond that, if you’re looking for other ways to treat your acne naturally, ingredients like tea tree oil may help, though this may be a better choice if you’re only dealing with mild to moderate breakouts, rather than cystic breakouts.
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Acne can be caused by a ton of factors. Thats why you need to diversify your skin care regimen.
When treating hormonal acne, it is essential to use a multi-pronged clinical approach addressing the four causes of acne: follicular plugging, bacteria, excess sebum production, and inflammation, says Zenovia.
Some folks take a prescription medication to curb their acne. There are also lots of over-the-counter treatments to try.
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How Soon After Treatment Will Hormonal Acne Go Away
Treating acne can be different for each individual, but patience is key. Generally, it could take up to four to six weeks to see improvement in your skin after you begin treatment. Even if you dont notice that the treatment is clearing your skin, it is recommended that you continue treatment to prevent new acne from forming.
Try An Oral Contraceptive To Balance Hormones
If you’re comfortable and if a gynecologist says you’re a good candidate, oral contraceptives can help balance out your hormones, including those that are responsible for acne. Zeichner says that the best prescription options for hormonal acne are birth control pills and Spironolactone . Birth control pills help regulate your hormones and decrease testosterone levels, which can mean fewer hormone-induced breakouts. Zeichner notes the four birth control pills currently approved for acne: Yaz, Beyaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and EstroStep.
Another option is the aforementioned Spironolactone. Though not specifically designed to treat acne, it is often used for exactly that purpose because it prevents testosterone from stimulating the oil glands: “Less oil means less shine, fewer clogged pores, and less food to feed acne-causing bacteria,” Zeichner explains.
“Certain oral contraceptives have even been approved by the FDA to be used in the treatment of acne,” explains Fenton. “If you are already on birth control or thinking of going on it, make sure to ask your gynecologist for an oral contraceptive that will also help your acne.”
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The Underling Causes Of Hormonal Acne
As common as hormonal acne is, surprisingly, doctors and scientists will say we still arent entirely clear what causes it. But if you spend even just a little time in the medical literature, there’s quite a lot we can learn. Following are the main factors thought to cause or contribute to hormonal acne.
Androgens: Hormonal acne is definitely tied to monthly hormonal fluctuations, explaining why 83% of women with acne experience a premenstrual flare. Androgens are a class of hormones that include testosterone, which like men, women also produce, just typically in lesser amounts. Some women, however, either produce excess testosterone, or are more sensitive to even normal amounts. A major theory is that increased androgen production premenstrually causes increased sebum production leading to acne. Women with elevated testosterone have a higher rate of converting testosterone to a more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone , which is associated with sebum production and therefore, potentially, acne. Even women with normal androgen levels can have androgen-caused acne due to increased androgen sensitivity. The most common cause of elevated androgens or heightened androgen sensitivity is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , which many women dont know they have. Even women without PCOS, and who have normal androgen levels when measured, may be more sensitive to androgens and as a result, more prone to acne.
Got Adult Acne Get Answers From An Expert
If youre like a lot of women, you thought all you had to do was get through puberty and youd be rewarded with smooth, clear skin. So its a real blow when youre way past braces and school dances but still find yourself battling your skin.
If this sounds like you, youre not alone acne isnt strictly a teenaged plague. Adults can get it too, and women tend to have adult acne more than men, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dermatologist Mary Sheu, M.D. , medical director of the Johns Hopkins Dermatology and Cosmetic Center at Green Spring Station, explains what causes adult acne and how to treat it.
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