Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne in its true sense does not only affect teenagers but adults as well.  Numerous researches had been conducted on this matter and most of them have found out that the onset of hormonal acne is greatly triggered by the production of hormones known as androgens. 

Speaking of androgens, these hormones are actually male hormones, but present in both males and females.  It has been found out in some hormonal acne studies that the androgen production kindles the sebaceous or oil-producing glands and causes them to enlarge.   So those individuals who develop hormonal acne have over kindled sebaceous glands.  In addition, the androgen production typically goes into full force between the ages of 11 to 14 especially when most of the young teens go through the period of puberty.   It was also found out that the hormonal acne in women may be influenced by certain hormonal changes in their body that are correlated with the menstrual cycle, stress, pregnancy, ovarian disease, and imbalance of the endocrine.

Most of the hormonal acne studies further noted that the androgen-kindled sebaceous glands, prior to the occurrence of the hormonal acne, emit more sebum or oil.  Sebum is actually natural oil that helps the skin to feel soft and waterproof.  This oily sebum then builds up in the follicle as it moves up the hair shaft where it blends with the normal skin bacteria known as P. acnes as well as the follicular skin cells.  In this process, the dead cells are usually get squashed to the surface where they are expelled.  As such, if the sebaceous glands produced excess sebum, there is a greater chance of clogged follicles that potentially result in hormonal acne.

Another explanation for the occurrence of hormonal acne lies on the idea that when hormonal changes occur, like an increase in the production of androgen, the sebaceous glands as well as the inner lining of the skin within the follicle also changes.  With an increase in sebum production, the dead cells then stick together and clog the hair follicles.  So once the follicles are clogged, it then becomes the breeding ground of bacteria, which ingests sebum and produced chemicals that can cause irritation and inflammation in the follicle and surrounding skin, therefore giving birth to hormonal acne. 

It is somehow important to know that anyone can develop hormonal acne, although some people are predisposed to some forms of this condition.  Just like the other types of acne, hormonal acne also needs medical treatment.  Fortunately, a number of hormonal acne treatments are now out there to help you treat and prevent hormonal acne from forming.  It is just wise to talk with your doctor first before opting for one of them.