When we reach our 20’s and 30’s, we might think that we’ve left the pains of adolescence behind. We look forward to being free of awkward growth spurts, bad fashion choices, and pesky acne breakouts. However, if you’ve recently become pregnant, are going through menopause, or have just started a new birth control, you might be in for a hormonal acne breakout.
Hormonal acne refers to specific breakouts that happen during adulthood, most commonly in women. Hormonal acne includes inconvenient blackheads and whiteheads and even painful cysts. Hormonal acne is caused by overproduction of oil, which then clogs your pores and causes rough breakouts. No matter how mild or severe your hormonal acne breakout is, it’s certainly not something you want to happen often. Though hormonal acne can be unavoidable, especially on certain birth controls, there are some steps you can take to avoid this problem.
What Is Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne is caused by blocked pores due to overproduction of oil in the skin, and while it can affect everyone, it’s common in pregnant people, those going through menopause, and people who just started a new birth control. Hormonal acne is different from other types of acne, as it is caused specifically by sebum, and can produce more painful cysts, rather than bacterial acne which might cause the skin to become itchy, red, and inflamed.
Can I Be Affected By Hormonal Acne?
If you’re someone going through significant hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, menopause, or starting on a new birth control, you likelihood of being affected by hormonal acne increases. Hormonal acne is more common in women than in men, but is commonly found in many adults. About 50% of women in their 20’s and 20% of women in their 40’s are affected by hormonal acne.
How To Treat Hormonal Acne
While we can’t always control our hormone levels, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the effects of hormonal acne. This would include making sure you’re getting enough sleep every night, minimizing external stress factors, and avoiding any hair or skin products that aren’t oil free.
If you need help managing your hormonal acne, come see the trusted team at Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN, and we’ll do our best to get you the care you need. To schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call, or book online.
