Understanding Hormonal Acne and its Connection to PCOS

Are you the one who is struggling with acne due to hormonal imbalance? Hormonal acne, commonly referred to as adult acne, is the acne breakouts that occur as a result of hormonal imbalances among adults aged between 20 and 50 years. It is directly caused by extra sebum production by the skin’s oil glands because of excess and-rog-ens. As per dermatologist in Hyderabad at Neya Dermatology and Aesthetic Clinic, thus it can appear on the face, back, chest, or shoulders of both men and women (especially women) in different forms like pimples, open or closed comedones, or cysts.

What is PCOS?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a gynaecological condition resulting from an endocrine dysfunction- an increased production of and-rog-en (male se-x hormone) by ovaries. By name, PCOS is described as the appearance of numerous fluid-filled sacs called cysts in the ovaries, which may be on their outer edges. This is the most common reproductive hormonal condition affecting women of childbearing age.

How is Hormonal acne connected to PCOS?

Women who are affected with PCOS often have increased levels of an-dro-gen in their body. A rise in the level of this hormone level in PCOS-affected women causes unwanted effects and leads to symptoms, including:

• Irregular menses
• Weight gain or difficulty in losing weight
• Hirsutism (extra hair growth on the face, chest, or back)
• Hormonal Acne
• Appearance of dark skin patches on the neck back or other areas (Acanthosis nigricans).

If you are experiencing the same and want to rule out the cause of your acne. Then an acne treatment doctor in Hyderabad at Neya Dermatology and Aesthetic Clinic can help you.

What else causes acne?

Generally, acne is the result of the plugging of hair follicles or blocking of the skin pores with extra sebum, dead skin cells, dirt, and sometimes bacteria. Excess hormonal activity is one of the contributing factors for acne breakouts. However, there are also triggers or risk factors for acne.

These include high stress, hormonal changes like during pregnancy, menopause, or because of certain conditions like PCOS, and the use of certain medications like corticosteroids. Some behaviours of the individuals can also result in an increased probability of acne breakouts. These include not cleaning the face properly and regularly, staying dehydrated, and using makeup or comedogenic skin products.

What are the treatment options for PCOS acne?

For mild acne breakouts, there are many over-the-counter acne medications available. These medications usually contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur that help treat acne. But, none of them are enough to clear hormonal acne. To clear PCOS acne, it is necessary to meet a dermatologist and get the underlying hormonal imbalance fixed.

Dermatologist in Hyderabad at Neya Dermatology and Aesthetic Clinic may prescribe one or more of the following treatments to address PCOS acne:

• Oral contraceptives- Combination birth control pills can be taken to stabilise the fluctuating hormones and treat hormonal acne. Usually, they have to be in combination. However, these pills are contraindicated in women aged above 35 years, smokers, and people who ever had or have blood clots, breast cancer, or hypertension.
• Anti-an-dro-gen drugs- These are the prescription drugs that act to reduce the levels of testos-tero-ne, the and-roge-ns- classified as male se-x hormones in PCOS-affected women. By lowering extra an-dr-ogen created in the body of PCOS-affected women, there is reduced sebum and skin cell production and ultimately no hormonal acne breakouts. This treatment is recommended only after the blood samples of the patients seeking acne treatment are tested for levels of male hormone in their bodies.
• Ret-in-oids: In earlier times, over-the-counter reti-no-ids were used to improve skin tone and texture and some of their formulations could even help with acne.
  For women who think they have PCOS-related acne, seeing a dermatologist is necessary to get prescription-strength retin-oi-ds in any form: oral or topical.
  If prescribed for topical reti-no-id, make sure that it is applied in the evening as it can leave the skin extremely sensitive to the sun’s UV rays.
• Laser acne treatment in Hyderabad: These are recommended by dermatologists in case of severe hormonal acne breakouts They work to resurface the skin and unclog the pores. The heat generated by lasers helps shrink sebaceous glands and reduce sebum production as well as heat kill the acne-causing bacteria, thereby reducing further acne breakouts. Furthermore, the lasers help reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and facilitate the skin’s natural healing by encouraging cell turnover, revealing a fresh, clearer complexion. For more details on laser acne treatment get in touch with the best doctor for acne and PCOS treatment in Hyderabad at Neya Dermatology and Aesthetic Clinic.
• Medical grade chemical peel: Chemical peels are acid solutions that when applied to the skin can help exfoliate the skin. By peeling off the skin epidermis, the extra oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria can all be removed from the clogged pores to reveal new, clear, healthier skin from underneath. There are different strengths of acids (from mild to strong) that can be used to treat hormonal acne.
• Rf microneedling: This minimally invasive technique is an advanced version of microneedling. It involves the use of fine needles that are deeply inserted into the affected skin to create microchannels. Through these microchannels, heat generated from radiofrequency energy is delivered deep into the skin directly targeting the overactive sebaceous glands, and stimulates fresh collagen and elastin production. As a result, hormonal acne is effectively treated. This acne treatment in Hyderabad even works to mend damaged skin tissues, lighten acne marks, and fade atrophic acne scars. 

What are the best ways to manage PCOS?

Follow these lifestyle changes to manage PCOS:

• Try to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing weight can help lower your in-su-lin and and-ro-gen levels, which can help restore ovulation and maintain hormonal balance that can also prevent acne flare-ups.
• Eat a high-fibre diet and low-carbohydrate diet. Avoid consuming white bread, breakfast cereals. Add more green vegetables, whole wheat grains, quinoa, fibre-rich fruits, and cooked beans to your diet.
• Exercise regularly to help you track your calories and it also lowers hormone level, such as te-stos-tero-ne.
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Say no to alcohol and low- or no-sugar beverages.
• Do not be a night owl. Lack of sleep can make acne and PCOS worse. Having sound sleep can help manage PCOS.
• Anxiety and stress can make PCOS worse. Try to do meditation, exercise, walking, and communication with your loved ones to keep your mood happy.

How can I self-deal with hormonal acne?

Whether you have undertaken any treatment for PCOS acne by a dermatologist or not, in either case, you will need to maintain a proper skincare routine to stay acne-free for the long term.

At a personal level, you can avoid or manage hormonal acne in the following ways:

• Wash your face twice a day daily with a gentle cleanser and gently exfoliate your skin once a week.
• After cleansing your skin, always apply a grease-free moisturiser that best suits your skin type.
• Avoid rubbing, scratching, and picking acne breakouts.  
• Apply only non-comedogenic skin products and make-up.

 
PCOS if left undiagnosed can also cause certain other health issues. It is better to consult a dermatologist who can rule out the cause of your acne and treat it effectively. 

Visit Neya Dermatology and Aesthetic Clinic for more details on PCOS hormonal acne treatment and ways to achieve a healthy body and skin.

Content Reviewed and Updated by Dr. Ravali Yalamanchili on 15th July 2024