Acne and Hormones

Is a Medical Approach the Best Treatment for your Acne?

No matter what age acne occurs, there is never a good time for a breakout. Too often, acne clients want immediate relief from a medical office or they visit an esthetician to find out what actions they can take to get rid of, or decrease, the breakout.  To treat acne effectively an esthetician and physician will work together to minimize acne's underlying cause. Clients must be on a stable skin care regimen that maintains a good balance of oil and bacteria reduction and hydration levels to prevent breakouts. However, this regimen may change depending on the weather, season and what point a women is in her menstrual cycle.

Women may have naturally occurring, high levels of male hormones (androgens) which can cause increased bouts of acne, especially on the cheeks and jawline areas of the face.  Androgen production can be reduced or blunted by taking hormone modulators prescribed by a medical professional. 

Birth control pills have traditionally been the drug of choice by many physicians because they may cause testosterone (androgen) levels to drop. Higher levels of testosterone in both men and women causes increased oil production and frequency of acne breakouts. Although taking birth control bills may be the answer for some, it has many undesirable side effects and is not a very effective treatment for non-hormone related breakouts.

Spironolactone is a pharmaceutical aid that has also been proven effective in treating hormone related breakouts.  It is actually a diuretic used to treat medical conditions, such as heart, liver, or kidney disease. It also helps block the release of excess hormones like testosterone. However, spironolactone must be taken regularly, or hormone production resumes when the medication is stopped. It is also important to note that patients taking spironolactone are carefully monitored by their doctor so that blood pressure and potassium levels do not change.

There are several clinical treatments for relief of acne breakouts, all of which require patience and adherence to a customized regimen for the best results.  Seek out a specialized esthetician or medical professional on a regular basis who is familiar with the complexities of treating acne, and who can recommend treatments and products specifically designed for your skin and type of acne.

Keep in mind, acne is a complex and cyclical disease which comes and goes dependant on several factors, such as hormones, diet, heredity, and environmental and emotional conditions. It may take several different types of treatments and topical products to clear up acne completely.