Guthy Renker Corporation
Guthy Renker Corporation

Is There An Acne And Hormone Connection?

 

Acne and its development is said to have a close connection with changes in hormones. People suffering from acne often have oily skin due to the high level of the androgen and testosterone hormones present in the body, as certain studies have shown. With this finding, many experts have noted that the balance of androgen and estrogen is then required to maintain healthy skin, a sort of Yin and Yang phenomenon. When hormonal imbalances occur, acne tends to develop.

The belief that there is a connection between acne and hormones holds that acne  often starts around the age of 19 to 24, thus it can start with teens but also affect mature adults. This is when people will typically get lesions on the lower face, mostly on the chin and jaw line. Although the majority of its victims are affected mainly on the face, it may also appear on the chest and back. 

The idea that there is a connection between acne and hormones comes from thew fact that acne typically starts to appear when the body starts to produce androgen hormones. Androgens are the biggest culprit that incite the sebaceous glands to enlarge and emit sebum. Sebum builds up in the follicle and then gets pushed up the hair shaft until it reaches the exterior of the skin. With this movement the sebum then blends with bacteria which cause the hair follicle to get blocked. The blocked follicles become a bacteria breeding ground resulting in acne.

Hormones play a major role in the regulation of every body function. Hormones, as you may be aware of, regulate such body functions as sleep and growth. Acne may be a byproduct of hormonal imbalance due to this dependency.  And, if your hormones are in balance then there is less chance for acne to emerge. 

The connection between acne and hormones also explains the occurrence of acne in teens as well as in adults. Since the production of androgen begins during the teen years at the onset of puberty, this contributes to the development of acne. The acne and hormones connection is most noticed in mature women during their menstrual cycle. Unfortunately for women suffering from acne outbreaks during menstration, it does not appear that they will outgrow this trend.

A good acne treatment should be effective at every stage of life.