The cause of acne in women is often hormonal disorders. Sicken ovaries or adrenal glands are responsible. Excess male hormones, or androgens, are responsible for a whole range of adverse changes, including acne. There are numerous changes difficult to treat on the neck, chin, face. Treatment of hormonal acne in a woman over thirty is based on the use of creams, ointments and sometimes also hormones.
Acne – what are the reasons?
Acne develops most often during adolescence. This is the so-called teenage acne. Adult people, both women and men, report to this issue more and more often in dermatology. Acne after the thirties affects mainly women (about 12 percent), most often at the age of 20-30 years, so some time after puberty. Sometimes it happens that these are people who during their adolescence did not complain about skin problems. All the more they do not understand the cause of the formation of pimples and lumps on the skin.
Acne in adults usually appears on the face, chin, back in the mouth area. Lesions on the skin are less frequently seen on the mandible and neck. In turn, typical youth acne usually appears on the forehead and temples.
The formation of acne is associated with abnormal differentiation of epidermal cells, multiplication of bacteria and an increased amount of sebum. The causes of adult acne are not yet well known, certainly the surrounding environment plays a large role. This is because the production of sebum is regulated by the hormone – dehydrotestosterone, secreted by the adrenal glands, both by women and men. The activity of this hormone depends on the special enzyme found in the skin, which in turn is dependent on many factors surrounding the environment. Among the most important should be mentioned poor diet, fertilizers and chronic stress. Often, the eczema appear suddenly, taking the form of permanently persistent inflammatory changes.
Hormonal acne in women
The cause of hormonal acne in women may be an increased amount of androgens, the so-called male hormones. In addition to acne, hyperandrogenism manifests itself as seborrhoea, hirsutism, or hair in places typical for men, irregular menstruation and male pattern baldness, and sometimes even a lowering of the tone of the voice. These disorders lead to so-called virilization.
The origin of excessive androgens in women may be adrenal or ovarian. In the first case, hyperandrogenism is caused by innate adrenal hypertrophy or adrenal hormone-producing adrenal nodules.
Usually, hyperanogenism is associated with excessive production of androgens by the ovaries, which is most often associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. The disease is a complex endocrine problem that affects about 10-15 percent. women of childbearing age.
In addition to the excessive amount of androgens found in laboratory tests, rare ovulation or their lack is common, often hindering pregnancy. It should be remembered that the most common manifestation of hormonal disorders are irregular menstruation. If they occur, always consult a physician.
How to treat hormonal acne in women
Treatment of hormonal acne may be local, applied to altered skin and systemic with the participation of oral preparations. Treatment of acne lesions caused by hormonal disorders can be done by an endocrinologist or gynecologist. Most patients, however, go to a dermatologist for an appointment.
Specialists recommend the use of antibiotics, in more severe cases, the doctor may include hormonal treatment with contraceptive pills. It works best for women over 20 who have already stabilized hormones and if they also want to use contraception.
A strong drug to fight acne in adults that is resistant to other treatments is a vitamin A derivative – isotretinoin. It is necessary to take it under strict medical supervision and to use contraception (hormonal or mechanical) during treatment, because it has a teratogenic effect on the fetus (it damages it).
It’s good to know that acne treatment in adults is a long and difficult route, so be patient and work on a healthy lifestyle. How we live translates into the condition of the entire organism. Regular sport, quit smoking, a well-balanced diet are invaluable during therapy.
Diet and acne – what to eat and what to avoid?
The bad diet is also often mentioned in adults. The healthy appearance of the skin is particularly damaged by products with a high glycemic index (IG), ie those that in a short time after eating lead to a large increase in the level of sugar in the blood. A rapid increase in the level of sugar leads to a significant ejection of insulin. The emerging hyperinsulinaemia negatively affects the skin, leading to the formation of acne.
High GI products are, for example, popular fast food, beer, white bread, chips, many sweets. Some studies have also pointed to the negative role of milk in the development of acne resulting from the hormones contained in it. Other acne-causing ingredients are artificial dyes, aromas, benzoates and other synthetic compounds found in many popular products.
It is important to carefully read labels of food products when purchasing food. Irregular meals, constant stress life, smoking cigarettes, short sleep are certainly not conducive to healthy skin. Recently, the harmful effects of using the contraceptive pill too early, which in effect relieve acne acne for later years are discussed.
Methods for acne in adults
In addition to a visit to a dermatologist, dermatologist or gynecologist who may recommend appropriate hormonal treatment, proper daily care of acne skin is very important.
- Accurate facial cleansing – the use of makeup remover is definitely not enough, it is worth washing the face with a tonic or micellar liquid. After cleansing the skin, the swab should be completely clean.
- The use of exfoliants – grainy peels are the most recommended. Usually, one treatment per week is enough. They should not be used by people with delicate, sensitive skin because they can irritate it.
- Limiting the make-up – it is not recommended to use a thick layer of foundation and powder, which additionally blocks the sebaceous glands and intensifies inflammatory changes in the skin.
- For skin care it is worth choosing a good acne cream. Preparations containing salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic, glycolic acid or azelaic acid have anti-seborrhoeic, exfoliating, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Diet and acne – what to eat and what to avoid?
The bad diet is also often mentioned in adults. The healthy appearance of the skin is particularly damaged by products with a high glycemic index (IG), ie those that in a short time after eating lead to a large increase in the level of sugar in the blood. A rapid increase in the level of sugar leads to a significant ejection of insulin. The emerging hyperinsulinaemia negatively affects the skin, leading to the formation of acne.
High GI products are, for example, popular fast food, beer, white bread, chips, many sweets. Some studies have also pointed to the negative role of milk in the development of acne resulting from the hormones contained in it. Other acne-causing ingredients are artificial dyes, aromas, benzoates and other synthetic compounds found in many popular products.
It is important to carefully read labels of food products when purchasing food. Irregular meals, constant stress life, smoking cigarettes, short sleep are certainly not conducive to healthy skin. Recently, the harmful effects of using the contraceptive pill too early, which in effect relieve acne acne for later years are discussed.
Methods for acne in adults
In addition to a visit to a dermatologist, dermatologist or gynecologist who may recommend appropriate hormonal treatment, proper daily care of acne skin is very important.
- Accurate facial cleansing – the use of makeup remover is definitely not enough, it is worth washing the face with a tonic or micellar liquid. After cleansing the skin, the swab should be completely clean.
- The use of exfoliants – grainy peels are the most recommended. Usually, one treatment per week is enough. They should not be used by people with delicate, sensitive skin because they can irritate it.
- Limiting the make-up – it is not recommended to use a thick layer of foundation and powder, which additionally blocks the sebaceous glands and intensifies inflammatory changes in the skin.
- For skin care it is worth choosing a good acne cream. Preparations containing salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic, glycolic acid or azelaic acid have anti-seborrhoeic, exfoliating, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Picture Credit: Sharon McCutcheon