Acne and facial/body hair: when the causes are hormonal imbalances

Both acne and facial/body hair can be considered as two dreaded enemies of our skin, as well as a cause for embarrassment and discomfort, and they are also able to undermine our wellbeing. Both skin manifestations can have several causes, but the most well-known is hormonal imbalance. Read on and you will find out why hormones trigger this type of reaction and what the effective remedies can be.

In addition, click here if you already suffer from these skin imperfections and are looking for additional remedies to be inserted directly into your skincare routine!

Acne

What is it? It is a skin condition that manifests itself with pimples, blackheads and pustules on the skin. During periods of hormonal changes, such as puberty, pregnancy, menstruation and menopause, the body can produce different quantities and types of hormones than normal. This affects the production of sebum, an oily substance that generally helps to lubricate the skin. When hormonal fluctuations occur, hormones such as testosterone stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. When sebum production increases and accumulates in the hair follicles, it can mix with dead skin cells and bacteria, creating an environment conducive to the formation of acne.

Causes of hormonal acne: Hormonal imbalances occur at different stages of life. For example, hormonal changesduring puberty cause a significant increase in androgen levels, such as testosterone, in both males and females, which lead to body, muscle and bone development. In addition, testosterone, as mentioned earlier, also causes an increase in sebum production and therefore the appearance of acne. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone fluctuations can affect skin sensitivity, contributing to the appearance of pre-menstrual acne. In addition to pregnancy, there is another phase in which hormonal changes occur: the menopause. During menopause, the level of estrogen in the body begins to decrease, and decreased estrogen levels involve the appearance of acne.

Treatments: The management of acne related to hormonal changes requires the help of topical treatmentscontaining ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to reduce sebum production and prevent clogging of the pores. It also requires the use of oral drugs such as birth control pills to regulate hormones. In addition, it is important to maintain a proper skin hygiene routine and adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and stress management, to help prevent and manage acne related to hormonal changes.

Facial/body hair

What is that? It is known by the term hirsutism, and it is the excessive presence of hair in typically male locations in women, such as the face, upper lip, thorax, abdomen, and back. Hirsutism occurs when there is a pathological excess of androgens in circulation or when the skin is excessively sensitive to normal concentrations of androgens. It is necessary to distinguish hirsutism from hypertrichosis, which is the excessive growth of hair on the body’s entire surface and is caused mainly by hereditary factors, drugs, metabolic imbalances, or skin irritations.

Causes of hirsutism: The most frequent hormonal cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome, a widespread benign disease characterized by an excess of androgens. The presence of a few terminal hairs visible on the face, around the mammary areolas, on the lower part of the back and abdomen can be considered normal, while the presence of terminal hairs on the upper part of the back and on the thorax is a sign of hyperandrogenism. To define the extent of hirsutism, a system of scores is generally used, known as the Ferriman-Gallwey scale, giving a grade from 0 (no growth) to 4 (extended presence) for each of 9 body areas deemed to be sensitive to androgens: upper lip, chin, thorax, upper and lower back, upper and lower abdomen, arm, thigh.

Treatments: The treatment of hirsutism is based on the use of cosmetic hair removal measures and specific drugs. Cosmetic measures range from common methods, such as shaving and waxing, to more invasive methods, such as photo-epilation and laser. In some cases, it is necessary to consult the help of drugs, which are substances that interfere with the production or action of male hormones. Among these, the most commonly used are the oral contraceptives.

Conclusion

If there is a cause, there is a remedy. Hormonal imbalances should be individualized, analyzed, and then treated. Only proper attention can allow you to get rid of the onset of acne and hormonal hair.