Androgen Acne
Acne is a disorder of the skin associated with excess oil production. This skin disorder is very common to grow on the face and is often experienced by many people. Especially those who are still teenagers and are going through puberty. Although it seems trivial, this one facial condition can certainly be a problem that interferes with appearance. One of the pimples that will be discussed is about androgen acne.
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| Illustrative image (Picture: practicaldermatology.com) |
There are several causes why acne on the face often appears repeatedly. One of the most common reasons is the condition of hormonal changes, namely the increased production of androgen hormones that usually become active during puberty. The increase in these hormones causes the sebaceous glands in the skin to enlarge and produce more sebum.
Androgen Hormone Acne
As per its literal meaning, hormonal acne is a type of acne caused by hormonal changes and fluctuations in the body. These hormonal fluctuations can occur when a person begins to enter the puberty phase.
However, individuals at any age can still experience acne problems due to hormones. Especially in women before the menstrual cycle arrives or enters the menopausal phase.
Also read: Acne Face Wipes.
Acne due to unstable hormones usually occurs due to excessive androgen or testosterone hormones in the body.
As a result, the oil glands produce more oil which causes clogging of the pores.
This condition is often experienced by women before menstruation, or when transitioning from one contraceptive to another.
Interesting Facts about Hormonal Acne
Here are various facts about hormonal acne that are interesting to know:
1. Appear at a Specific Time
It should be understood that although this type of acne is strongly associated with hormonal fluctuations, this is different from acne that appears in adolescence.
Hormonal acne or also called adult acne is a bump on the skin that appears at the age of 20 to 50 years that usually coincides with a person's menstrual cycle.
It can also appear when other hormonal changes occur in life, such as during menopause and postpartum.
2. Caused by Various Hormones
The hormones that cause this type of acne are fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone which both vary greatly throughout the menstrual cycle.
In addition, the ratio of each of these hormones to each other can also affect a woman's testosterone levels which can also be the cause of this type of acne. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can also affect all of these hormones.
Hormonal fluctuations are believed to increase oil production in the pores, thus making acne eventually appear.
Although more common in women, men can also experience this skin problem.
Some of the causes include undergoing testosterone therapy or excess androgen hormones.
3. Usually Appears on Chin and Jawline
When pubescent acne usually appears in the T-zone area, namely the forehead, nose, and chin, this type of acne usually forms on the chin and around the jawline.
For some people, these pimples can be cysts that form deep under the skin and feel painful.
4. Can Be Overcome with Drugs
You don't need to worry, because just like acne in general, hormonal acne can also improve over time.
It is a normal thing to happen and hormonal changes that occur in the body will eventually become balanced again.
However, if this type of acne is still very mild, over-the-counter drugs are usually not effective to overcome it.
That's why you may need to see a dermatologist to get a prescription for hormonal acne medication.
Here are some drugs that can be used to overcome these skin conditions:
- Oral contraceptives. This drinking drug contains ingredients that can target acne-causing hormones, such as ethinylestradiol plus drospirenon or norgestimate and norethindrone. Oral contraceptives are helpful during hormonal peaks, such as during ovulation.
- Topical Retinoids. This is the first treatment that doctors will recommend to treat mild to moderate hormonal acne. Retinoids can help exfoliate dead skin cells, so they don't clog pores.
- Anti-androgen drugs. Excess androgens can cause hormonal acne because they disrupt the hair follicles that regulate skin cells and increase oil production. Well, this drug can prevent the body from producing more androgens and make hormone levels stable.
5. The Risk Can Be Lowered
Although this type of acne may be unavoidable, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of acne appearing.
For example, making lifestyle changes to reduce stress, sleep better, and eat healthy foods.
In addition, also choose skin care products that will not clog pores.
That's a bit of information about "androgen acne". Hope it is useful.