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For most women, reaching the adult years of life comes with a hope that their days of acne breakouts will be left behind in their yearbook pictures as a distant memory.

For many, life isn’t so lucky. As women age, they can see breakouts happening throughout their lives. Some women go through puberty without a single break out only to see them crop up in their thirties or forties. It’s not uncommon for a person to need acne treatment in Carrollton well into their adult life.

While acne is a multifactorial condition, hormones are often a big factor in breakouts for women. When a woman’s androgen receptors are sensitive, they send out signals that cause excess oil production from the pores. This extra oil clogs up the pores and causes the inevitable acne breakouts. If breakouts are persistent or unmanageable, a person may need hormonal acne treatment for women to help clear the skin and keep them under control.

Pregnancy

It is very common for pregnant women to develop acne. In fact, one of every two pregnant women can expect to experience breakouts. The first trimester is the prime time for acne to develop as hormone levels skyrocket, though you may break out at any time. These cases can range from mild to severe and be particularly uncomfortable depending on that severity.

When dealing with pregnancy acne, it is crucial that you talk with your doctor before using any treatments for acne as many over-the-counter products have the risk of causing birth defects. By working with your doctor and your dermatologist in Carrollton, TX,  you can find safe treatments that can relieve symptoms and reduce the chances of future outbreaks.

Menopause

During the last major hormonal shift in life, women may see a return of acne, though it’s often different than the cases they’ll see earlier in life. Menopausal acne is caused when the drop in estrogen, especially during the perimenopausal period, and androgen hormones, like testosterone, overwhelm the balance by staying on the same level. As androgen levels become the dominant hormone, the sebaceous glands start overproducing sebum which clogs up the pores. That combined with the slowdown of cell regeneration that blocks up pores with dead cells. The resulting acne tends to appear around the chin, jawline, and upper neck, not in the T-zone. These also tend to be small, deep cysts that are tender to the touch instead of ‘whiteheads’ or ‘blackheads’ that appear near the surface as pustules. 

Menopausal women have more options than pregnant women for treatment. Over-the-counter topicals and prescription treatments can help manage the symptoms of acne and clear skin over time. Hormonal acne treatment for women can help to lower a number of androgens in the body and balance out the hormone levels. By consulting a dermatologist in Carrollton, TX, you can develop a plan of action that best suits your health needs and tackle menopausal acne effectively.

Menstrual Cycles and Hormone Disorders

Not unlike the situations above, hormonal disorders can provoke acne breakouts by throwing off the balance of androgen and estrogen in the body. While acne can easily be caused by normal changes in hormonal levels caused by phenomena like menstruation, persistent acne issues that don’t align with cycling may indicate a hormonal disorder. These disorders tend to have symptoms like deepening of the voice, decreased breast size, and facial hair accompanying them. If you are concerned your acne may be indicating a potential hormonal disorder, consult your doctor or dermatologist.

Scheduling an appointment with Dermatology Consultants in Carrollton, TX, is the best way to identify and treat hormone-related acne in women. No matter the cause, we can help you develop an acne treatment in Carrollton that will help you clear your skin and avoid potential acne scarring. Contact Dermatology Consultants today to set up an appointment and find your way to healthier, better skin.