While acne is most often associated with our teenage years, many of us find that acne continues to be a struggle throughout our 20’s, 30’s, and beyond. If acne lingers long into your adult years, it is likely that hormones are to blame. Our hormonal levels are in a constant state of fluctuation. As hormone levels rise, oil production is stimulated and results in sticky, clogged pores—thus causing acne flare ups. Unfortunately, hormonal acne is deeper, more painful, and more difficult to treat than that of what you experienced as a teenager.
Are Hormones Causing Your Acne?
A few clues can help determine if your acne hormone related:
- Timing of your breakouts: For women, acne is often cyclical. Many women will see a flare up the week before their menstrual cycle as well as during menses, or even ovulation.
- Location of your acne: Acne located primarily on the lower face—beneath the cheekbones and along the jawline—is likely to be hormone related.
- Shape, size, sensation, and appearance: Typically, acne related to hormones tends to be deep and sensitive to the touch. Another unfortunate side effect is that hormonal acne has a tendency to scar.
- Treatments that your acne responds—or does not respond—to: As it is far deeper within the skin, hormonal acne does not usually respond to readily available topical treatments.
Treating Hormonal Acne
Hormonal acne is a complex problem that can be difficult to effectively target and treat. After evaluating your specific skin needs, Dr. Vendetti and our licensed master esthetician will develop a treatment plan to help alleviate hormonal acne.
Your treatment may include in office treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion as well as at home skincare like Obagi® NuDerm. Many of our patients also benefit from an IPL Photofacial. Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments can help with acne as well as alleviate any residual acne scarring.
Finally! Clear Skin
As many as 50 percent of women experience acne as an adult. With our help, you no longer have to be one of them. Please contact Virginia Surgical Arts to schedule your personal skin evaluation and be on your way to a clear, smooth, and beautiful complexion.
