Hormones and Acne - By: Lesli Chadwick

Hormonal acne isn't just the plague of adolescents, it affects adults as well. A host of research studies have been done on the subject and it's been found that this type of acne is triggered by the production of androgens.

Androgens are male hormones, but they are present in both sexes. Some of the studies around hormones and acne have discovered that the production of androgens ignites the oil producing sebaceous glands and causes them to enlarge. If you are one of the unfortunate individuals that have a problematic link between hormones and acne, you have over producing sebaceous glands. Timing as at play here as well, since the production of androgens is generally at its peak between the ages of 11 and 14 years of age, right at the time young teenagers are going through the phase of puberty. Women may also have a problem with acne due to hormonal changes in their bodies, such as during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, peri-menopuase, menopause, ovarian disease or an endocrine imbalance.

Acne studies further show that androgen kindled sebaceous glands also produce more oil or sebum, thereby encouraging an outbreak of pimples. Sebum is naturally occurring oil on the skin that builds up in the hair follicles as it carries along the hair shaft and blends bacteria and skin cells. During this natural process, dead skin cells and pushed to the surface of the skin and expelled. But if the glands are producing an excess of oil or sebum, the chances of clogged pores and/or follicles which can in turn results in acne pimples.

Another reason for hormonal acne is that when any hormonal upset may occur, such as the production of androgens increasing, not only do the sebaceous glands change as well as the inner line of skin within the follicle. Pair that with an increase of sebum and dead skin cells clump together and clog the follicle, and once the follicles close up they are the perfect environment for bacteria to breed, causing the skin around the follicle to become irritated and inflamed. The next step is your skin erupts into pimples.

While anyone can develop hormonal acne at any time in their lives, the fact is that there are just some people who are predisposed to the condition. And just as with any other form of acne, you can get treatment for it. Fortunately, there are a number of them available for those who have problems with hormones and acne. So if you are looking for ways to treat and/or prevent the problem, talk to your doctor.

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eMiscellany has a variety of articles on several topics including hormones and acne.

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