Acne is a common skin condition that can affect people of all ages, though it is most prevalent among teenagers. The primary cause of acne is the overproduction of oil (sebum) by sebaceous glands in the skin. This excess oil can clog hair follicles, which are tiny openings where hair grows. These clogged pores can trap dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil, creating an environment conducive to the growth of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, which exacerbates inflammation and leads to the formation of pimples, blackheads, and cysts.Hormonal changes are another major factor contributing to acne. During puberty, the body undergoes significant hormonal shifts that stimulate sebaceous glands, increasing oil production. Hormones like androgens (which increase in both males and females during puberty) can lead to larger sebaceous glands and greater oil secretion, making the skin more prone to acne. Hormonal fluctuations can also occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and in individuals using oral contraceptives.Diet is another area where acne can be influenced, though the exact connection is still being researched. High-glycemic foods (such as refined sugars and carbohydrates) and dairy products have been linked to an increase in acne in some studies. These foods may cause spikes in insulin levels, which in turn can stimulate oil production and worsen acne.Stress also plays a role in acne development. When stressed, the body produces more cortisol, a hormone that can lead to increased oil production and inflammation in the skin. Additionally, certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can trigger acne as a side effect.Genetics can also predispose individuals to acne. If a person’s parents had acne, they may be more likely to experience it as well. All these factors—hormonal changes, diet, stress, and genetics—interact in complex ways to contribute to the development of acne.“If topical treatment alone does not improve acne, or if acne is severe or extensive, oral medications are the best option. If you’ve tried several topical medications without success, or if your condition is severe, oral acne medications are usually the next step in the treatment process. Treatment usually includes oral antibiotics and applying a prescription gel or topical cream to the skin. Depending on people with acne, treatment may include using prescription creams to prevent acne, taking antibiotics to kill bacteria that contribute to acne, or, if acne is severe, taking stronger medications such as like isotretinoin, or even minor surgery. Even if you have tried topical acne treatments such as creams or gels without any lasting results, laser therapy may be the right solution for you. While I would like you to try natural remedies first, if you are not seeing improvement and severe hormonal acne is making your quality of life worse, other treatments can make a real difference. While it may take a while, treating hormonal acne from the inside out until your hormones are in their natural, happy balance will allow your skin to truly heal.While my approach isn’t an instant solution, and won’t replace everyone’s multi-drug regimen, hormonal acne can be very sensitive to a more holistic approach, which means less medication and more patches. While the studio treatments offered by Carolina Skin Care can be very effective in treating acne, patients should also commit to taking care of their skin at home. Multiple topical treatments, whether it’s steroids for eczema or topical antibiotics for acne, topical treatments may help in the short term, but in the long run, it can damage the skin, making you more likely to take it in the future. In addition to other treatments, you can take the most obvious step to soothe stress-related acne: reduce stress. If the creams and antibiotics you have been prescribed are not working, or if you cannot tolerate the side effects that medications may cause, you may want to consider acne treatments, which can be provided at your doctor’s office. Other treatments include birth control pills to control acne, hormonal drainage and extraction, and laser and phototherapy.”
