Are you tired of your blotchy, irritated skin? Do you have breakouts, which you can’t seem to control? Is acne making life difficult? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, your hormones could be the major cause of your bad skin. Hormone levels have a significant impact on your skin and so the number of breakouts may be a result of changing hormone levels in your body.
About Hormones
Most of us are aware that hormones exist within our bodies, but what exactly are they and what do they do? Hormones are chemical messengers, which provide a number of functions within the body. Hormones are produced by endocrine glands and secreted into the bloodstream, which then travel to various parts of the body to carry out a range of different functions.
The main hormones linked to the skin are sex hormones.
In males, the sex hormones are linked to acne and many teenage boys experience acne as a result of increasing levels of testosterone within their blood.
In females, the levels of sex hormones go up and down through puberty and adult life and this is why women are more susceptible to skin changes later in life. Many women may not suffer from poor skin during their teen years but may become susceptible to it during their twenties and thirties.
The skin has receptors for many different types of hormone, including oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone, which is an androgenic hormone. In women, the levels of oestrogen start to decline in the late twenties and early thirties, which then contribute to the onset of features that are usually associated with males. These features include facial hair growth and increased oil production, which can cause the pores to become clogged, resulting in outbreaks.
Hormones & Acne
Research suggests that most cases of acne are associated with high levels of androgenic hormone. However, women who have acne do not always have increased levels of androgenic hormones and this may suggest that sensitivity to androgenic hormone may be a risk factor for acne.
Many women find that they have breakouts before they have their period.
• This is due to the increasing levels of progesterone during the second stage of the menstrual cycle, which can affect the oestrogen receptors found in the skin.
• This in turn reduces the effects of oestrogen, which tends to limit the production of sebum. Increased sebum production is a proven major cause of acne and spots.
There is additional information regarding acne, which can be found here: http://www.dermatologist.org.uk/acne.html
How Is Acne Treated?
There are a variety of treatments and remedies available to minimise the impacts of acne breakouts. Many women find using the contraceptive pill helps to clear up acne, as it regulates the hormone levels in the body and boosts oestrogen levels. Hormone therapies can also be helpful for women who suffer from acne and have hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Medication can also be prescribed to treat acne and the most common forms include:
• Topical antibiotic creams, such as benzoyl peroxide
• Antibiotic tablets
• Medicines containing Retinol, which is a derivative of vitamin A.
Other treatment options include laser skin treatment, microdermabrasion and phototherapy. Phototherapy involves using intensive light therapy to heal the skin.
Natural remedies, including tea tree oil, can also be beneficial for the skin and healthy eating can help to keep the skin clear. Vegetables, berries, nuts and seeds are good for the skin and it is always a great idea to drink plenty of water.
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