No Longer in Your Teenage Years? 5 Signs You’re Dealing With Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne affects between 29 and 49 per cent of women, although it’s most common in people aged 20 to 30. Unlike normal blackheads and whiteheads, hormonal acne is often painful, prone to leaving scars, and much more difficult to deal with. Read on to find out about the signs that frequent acne outbursts are actually hormonal acne.

Age of Onset

Many young women assume that once they get out of their teenage years their acne will suddenly subside. In reality, hormonal acne is likely to flare up during their 20s. That’s because women in their 20s are in their peak childbearing age, making them more prone to the intense hormone fluctuations that are often to blame for inflammatory acne.

Even women who see their acne subside as they enter their 30s aren’t completely off the hook. Menopause can cause a resurgence of hormonal acne. No matter their age, women struggling to control painful outbreaks can find the products they need to get relief online at reneerouleau.com.

Type of Pimples

While blackheads and whiteheads typically occur on the surface of the skin, hormonal acne occurs beneath the skin where it is more likely to become infected or inflamed. Cystic acne is usually painful and it is resistant to manual extraction, even by an esthetician. Since it’s found beneath the surface of the skin it usually requires clinical treatment like hormonal birth control, antiandrogen drugs, or isotretinoin.

It’s important to note that while strong pharmaceutical medications like isotretinoin are effective up to 85% of the time they come with a few hassles of their own. Speak with an esthetician about what changes to make to skincare routines to treat side effects like dry skin and increased risk, of sunburns.

Location of Pimples

Hormonal acne typically pops up in the same place over and over. Most consumers notice breakouts on their chins and jawlines, although some women also get hormonal acne breakouts on their cheeks, noses, or even down their necks. Experts don’t exactly know why hormonal acne tends to target these spots but some believe it’s because the chin and jawline have more oil glands, making the pores in these areas more likely to become clogged.

Monthly Cycles

Just like women’s menstrual cycles, which are also dictated by hormone production, cystic acne tends to follow set patterns. Women who notice increases in the frequency and severity of breakouts preceding or during their periods are likely dealing with hormonal acne. Those who don’t intend on becoming pregnant may want to note that oral birth control can help to reduce the severity of monthly breakouts in some patients while simultaneously tackling other unpleasant side effects of hormonal fluctuations.

Breakouts During Periods of Stress

Monthly hormonal fluctuations aren’t the only thing that can cause hormonal acne. The stress hormone cortisol can also impact estrogen and progesterone production, so hormonal acne outbreaks also tend to pop up during times of extreme stress. The right skincare routine can still help to minimize breakouts during these periods of stress, though.

The Bottom Line

There are several kinds of acne. Hormonal acne is tied to natural fluctuations in estrogen and progestin, so it often pops up at the same time and in the same place every month or during periods of extreme stress. Women dealing with this problem may want to speak with a qualified esthetician or schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to learn about their options.