Hormonal acne: what causes it and how to treat it?

Acne is one of the most common skin problems experienced by men and women. While pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads are a normal part of puberty, there are times when your acne can become stubborn and may lead to acne scars even after taking the treatment. One of the common reasons to get such stubborn pimples or acne is your hormones. Hormonal acne can affect women even in their late 20s, 30s and 40s.

What causes hormonal acne?

Acne caused due to hormones is more common in women than men. This type of acne mainly occurs when there is hormonal imbalance in your body.

Hormonal fluctuations in a woman’s body start right from the age of puberty till menopause. There are different stages and multiple factors that contribute to a hormonal imbalance in women and hence lead to acne formation, including anxiety, diet, menstruation, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopause, increased androgen levels, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives.

You would be surprised to know that 80 per cent of women in India suffer from hormonal acne as a result of polycystic ovarian syndrome. It is a condition where multiple cysts develop in the ovaries and they do not regularly release eggs. Hence, as the cysts get bigger in size, it leads to the breakout of hormonal acne.

Other than these, smoking, stress, pollution, cosmetics, medication, unhealthy lifestyle habits can lead to acne breakouts.

Also Read: Know The Type And Causes Of Acne

How does hormonal acne look like?

Acne caused due to hormonal imbalance mainly appears in the T-zone, which includes your forehead, nose, and chin.

For some people, hormonal acne takes the form of blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples that come to a head or cysts. These bumps may feel tender to the touch at times.

Acne flares caused due to menstruation may appear prior to your cycle or during stressful period of your life. Therefore, understanding the cause of acne for your condition will help you treat them better. You can pursue a treatment which can address your concern right from the root and give you a permanent solution.

Also Read: 6 Common Mistakes That Can Make Your Acne Worse

Treatment of acne

Homeopathy can be of great help in treating your acne condition. Homeopathic treatment for acne believes in individualized approach. It offers different remedies for different types of acne— based on its presentation and its cause.

For example, Akshita, a 19-year old girl came to us for natural acne treatment. Before taking homeopathic treatment for acne, she had taken topical applications and antibiotics prescribed by her allopathic doctor. However, the relief was short-lived; each time her problem returned with a vengeance.

During her consultation, we came to know that her periods are irregular. Hence, we recommended an ultrasonography [USG] test, which confirmed our suspicion that she had polycystic ovaries (PCOS). She was then prescribed homeopathic medicines that matched her symptoms and proved to be effective against ovarian cysts. Within six months, her acne visibly reduced, her scars started to heal and her menstrual cycle resumed a normal routine.

Also Read: Homeopathy: Holistic Way of Treating Acne

You’re probably wondering how a local problem like acne responded so well to homeopathy. The answer is that homeopathy goes to the root of your problem. There are different causes of acne, until and unless you don’t identify or treat the underlying problem, you won’t be able to get rid of acne. Even if your problem is solved with conventional medication, acne may flare up again and you may have a relapse of the condition, especially if it is hormonal acne.

Another good part about taking homeopathic treatment for acne is that it doesn’t cause any side-effects and can be safely taken for a long period of time.