When you have acne, you always ask yourself, "Why won't acne go away?"
Most acne is in the form of elephant-headed pimples and is difficult to cure, and what we are dealing with is hormonal acne.
What is hormonal acne?
The cause of acne is clogging dirt in the pores of skin. Hormonal acne also occurs for the same reason, but it is different in that it has hormones to stimulate the production of more oil from the sebaceous glands in the pores, resulting in further hormonal acne.
What types of hormonal acne are there?
- Whitehead clogging
- Blackhead clogging
- But the most common are inflammatory acne and elephant-head acne.
Get to know acne hormones that cause acne.
Androgens (male sex hormones which but they can also be found in females) are produced from the ovaries and adrenal glands, aiding in development of the reproductive system, giving them masculine characteristics. If this hormone is produced in excess, it stimulates the activity of the sebaceous glands, leading to easier pore clogging and acne
Testosterone is a hormone present in both men and women, with its highest production occurring during puberty. In males, this hormone affects reproductive organs, while in females, it contributes to stronger muscles and a more robust body. Testosterone also stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, making teenagers’ skin particularly oily. As a result, hormonal acne is common during adolescence.
Oestrogen is produced from the ovaries and is responsible for regulating female reproductive function. It stimulates the work of the uterus, causes menstruation and is associated with pregnancy. Oestrogen has the opposite effect of testosterone, reducing the production of sebum at hair follicles. If there is a decrease in oestrogen, such as before menstruation or menopause, it can cause acne to appear.
Progesterone is a hormone that plays an important part in a woman’s pregnancy period. If there is more progesterone, such as during menstruation, it will stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil in the skin. This hormone also raises body temperature and causes increased sweating. As a result, clogging around pores is more likely.
Insulin helps control blood sugar levels. Produced by the pancreas, insulin is indirectly involved in acne. It increases acne bacterial infections, and disrupts the wound healing process, making acne heal more slowly.
How to spot hormonal acne?
Age range when hormonal acne : For example, in adolescence, or around the age of 20, because this is when the female body is ready for pregnancy and having a baby, sex hormones are secreted in abundance in preparation. Hormonal acne can be found during menopause as well.
- Hormonal acne usually occurs on the chin and jaw line.
- Acne occurs at the same time repeatedly every month.
- Very stressful times. When the body is stressed, it secretes a type of hormone called cortisol. This hormone affects other hormones that cause acne.
- Very stressful times. When the body is stressed, it secretes a type of hormone called cortisol. This hormone affects other hormones that cause acne.
*NB. Elephant-head acne is a direct translation from the Thai name, but is not generally used in the West. Nodule / Cyst inflammatory acne or elephant-head acne called cyst acne, is the most severe, because collagen is destroyed, and it may turn into acne scarring. Patients should see a doctor for urgent treatment.
