How to Get Rid of Hormonal Acne

Have you ever felt a new spot, bump or a breakout right before an exciting party? or on a normal relaxing Sunday with no heads up? That’s not your regular acne. It’s called hormonal acne. Appearing out of nowhere with no intention of leaving soon, hormonal acne can be frustrating. Fear not! This blog will give you an ultimate guide to understand hormonal acne completely.

What is Hormonal Acne?

Roughly about 40-50% of people experience hormonal acne. It is all the crazy action of the hormones. Hormonal acne is just like those few partygoers who show up unannounced on your doorstep and refuse to leave. And as a result, your skin takes a hit. Hormonal acne occurs during hormonal fluctuations. This sudden increase or decrease of hormones increases the oil production in your body. This increased oil production causes pimples, bumps and breakouts on your skin, particularly in the lower area of your face which includes jaw, chin and lower cheek area. To manage hormonal acne, it is important to understand the cause of it.

Hormonal Factors in Acne Development

We all have severe mood swings. Likewise, hormonal acne occurs when your skin is experiencing mood swings. It can be quite difficult to pinpoint the exact cause but can be fairly easy to manage once you get to the root problem. Hormonal acne, with its high and low phases can easily change your once-smooth and clear skin into a bumpy, rocky road. Variation in hormone levels amplifies the oil cycle which makes your skin sad and spotty. And it’s time to stop dodging the bullets and face them and attack.

What causes Hormonal Acne?

We all have thought about the fact that hormonal acne always appears before something exciting is about to happen. Before a party, or a new job interview. It is all the result of hormones. When you feel happy or sad, your body releases a variety of hormones. Commonly known hormones are testosterone and estrogen. These usually happen when an individual is going through pregnancy, puberty, menopause or any other anxious situations. The shifts and spikes of these hormones send a huge green light to the oil production factory in your body, causing them to overproduce oil. This excess oil then clog pores in your skin with the help of dead skin cells. The acne you see after forgetting to wash your face after a windy day outside is different from hormonal acne. Hormonal acne chooses the lower part of your face for its shenanigans. It is necessary to identify the reason and cause to choose the right treatment.

Differentiating From Other Types of Acne

Differentiating between different kinds of acne is like playing a game called “Spot the difference”. Hormonal acne usually affects the areas of the chin, around the jawline, and primarily the cheeks. These bumps and pimples caused by hormonal acne are much different than the typical acne. Moreover, these often get mixed up with blackheads and whiteheads. In party terms black and white heads are like your best friends who never miss out on a good party. But hormonal acne is those friends who come out when you least expect them to and stays the longest. Identifying the difference between these two are essential to tackle the right one at the right time.

Lifestyle Changes

One of the most powerful secret weapons to get rid of hormonal acne is lifestyle changes. Hormonal acne is like the unwanted weeds in your backyard that just require good effective tools. Similarly, the first tool is eating healthy. Add a wide variety of green vegetables and juicy fruits in your diet along with beans, whole grains, and seeds instead of refined, processed food. Getting enough sleep is another important tool to keep the spots away from our skin. A good 7-9 hours of sleep allows our skin to rest and repair from within. On the other hand, stress and tension are like overwatering your precious plants. It triggers the hormones which increase the oil production, resulting in acne.

Quick and Simple Skincare

Simple skincare should be your skincare mantra. Your skin is already in a panic state, you don’t want to make it more frantic. A gentle cleanser, a reliable moisturizer, and a trusty SPF, that should be your trustworthy trio. It’s comparable to having a morning coffee, like an everyday habit. When you spot the breakouts and spots, don’t panic. Treat them with soft care using dependable salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Treat your skin with gentle care.

Medical Treatment Options

Getting rid of hormonal acne alone is quite challenging. Which is why the next step is to call in the dermatologist. These experts offer much more insights than over-the-top moisturizers and medicines. For example, many dermatologists suggest topical treatments. It includes retinoids that unblock the pores to make room for the new clean skin. For women, oral contraceptives are an additional option that can help control the hormone levels that are creating chaos. In extreme situations, doctors also recommend isotretinoin as a way to give your skin a “reset.” It’s like having a customized armory at your disposal under the direction of an expert in the channels of acne.

Hormonal Balancing Strategies

To get rid of hormonal acne is to create a complete balance of hormones in your body inside and out. Along with using treatments and medicines, it is quite important to harmonize your body from the inside. This includes a perfect lifestyle with a healthy diet. Eliminate the use of processed food and replace it with high-in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. The next change is regular exercise. Keeping in shape and physically active not only keeps you healthy but also keeps your hormones in a neat little happy bubble. Even a few minutes of workout can do magic. Add in a touch of 8-hour sleep and you’ll get a flawlessly balanced lifestyle that will not only help you get rid of hormonal acne but also create harmony.

Professional Procedures

There are times when dealing with hormonal acne can be a continuous drag. With no skincare or lifestyle tweaking working, it’s time to call the professionals. The professional procedures to get rid of hormonal acne include chemical peels, microneedling, and laser therapy. These procedures are designed to help you refresh and invigorate your skin. The best way to choose the one for our skin is to consult a dermatologist.

Prevention Tips

Getting rid of hormonal acne and keeping them at bay is not a quick fix. Here’s a simple prevention guide to help you keep your hormones in place:

• The most important; stay hydrated!
• Follow a simple skincare routine with non-comedogenic products
• Balance your diet with fresh greens with limited sugar intake
• Exercise regularly to balance the stress
• Relax with a good 8-hour sleep
• Try finding relaxing methods such as long walks, yoga, etc.
• Consult a dermatologist for advanced treatment options.

Conclusion

Dealing and getting rid of hormonal acne can be a real hassle but is easy to manage. By identifying the causes and changing a few lifestyle choices, you can get clearer, acne-free skin. Keep working on our recommended tips with a little patience and self-love and say goodbye to hormonal acne.