Hormonal Acne: Natural remedies for hormonal acne problems
Hormonal Acne is a common health problem, one of the many causes of which is the effect of hormones on the body. The body of both men and women has many glands that secrete hormones and play a special role in various important functions of the body. If there is less or more hormone secretion than normal, various problems appear in the body, one of which is acne.
Hormonal acne is more common in girls than boys. In women, hormonal changes occur during pregnancy and menopause, in addition to every period. And so girls are more prone to acne than boys.
This article discusses in detail the characteristics of hormonal acne, why women are more prone to this type of acne, natural remedies for acne, and what kind of diet to follow to cure acne.
Causes of acne
Hair follicles in the skin contain microscopic sebaceous glands that secrete sebum. Sebum is a special type of oily substance that prevents the skin from drying out. However, when excess sebum is secreted or the hair follicle is blocked by dead cells, the sebaceous gland becomes inflamed and swollen, which is called acne. Bacterial and fungal infections, diet, irregular lifestyle, excessive stress, side effects of medicines and hormonal imbalance in the body cause acne.
What are the characteristics of hormonal acne?
Acne caused by hormonal changes in the body is called hormonal acne. A major feature of this type of acne is that it is more common during puberty and in teenagers (10 to 19 years old). Because there are more hormonal changes in the body during this time.
Hormonal changes occur in the body as a result of rise in testosterone hormone in boys and periods and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) in girls. And when there is a change in hormones, excess sebum is secreted, which is one of the main causes of acne.
Adolescent hormonal acne is more common on the forehead, nose, snout, etc. And in the case of teenagers, more acne is seen on cheeks and snout. However, apart from the face, different parts of the body such as neck, throat, chest and back can cause acne.
There are different types of acne. For example: (Cleveland Clinic, 2021)
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Papules
- Pustules
- Cysts
Whiteheads and blackheads do not cause swelling and pain. Papules are slightly swollen, painful and red. But pus does not accumulate. But in case of Pustules and Cysts there is inflammation and also accumulation of pus or some kind of fluid.
Natural remedies for hormonal acne
Hormonal acne does not require any treatment unless it is severe. However, in case of severe acne, there are advanced treatments like laser therapy, use of various creams, birth control pills, for which a dermatologist should be consulted. In addition to receiving medical treatment, some natural remedies can help in curing acne. For example:
Use of tea tree oil
Tea tree oil helps in healing acne by reducing inflammation when applied to the skin. Tea tree oil is available in the market to be mixed with coconut oil or olive oil and applied on the skin. In this case, the ratio of coconut oil or olive oil to tea tree oil will be 6:1 or less.
However, in some cases, the use of tea tree oil on the skin may cause an allergic reaction. And so to avoid this type of problem, first check the skin of the hand without applying it to the face and see if there is a rash or itching. If not, then it will be safe to use tea tree oil in their case.
Use of green tea
Antioxidants included in green tea can help lower inflammation. Drinking 2 to 3 cups of green tea daily helps in curing acne. Also applying green tea externally on the skin can be beneficial. After making green tea without sugar, it should be cooled and then applied on the face.
Aloe Vera
External use of aloe vera can play a very beneficial role in skin care, especially in maintaining skin moisture and eliminating acne problems.
Aloe vera should be collected and the pulp inside should be taken out and applied to the skin. Mixing aloe vera with honey can bring better results. Aloe vera rich face washes are also available in the market which can be used for skin care and acne removal.
In most cases, hormonal acne clears up within a few weeks. However, if the acne is severe and the skin is prone to scarring, a dermatologist should be consulted.
Hormonal acne and diet to do
Acne is not directly related to food. But indirectly, food is linked to inflammation and hormonal balance in the body. Foods from plant sources such as fruits, vegetables, nuts etc. help reduce inflammation and maintain hormonal balance in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce skin inflammation. And one of the main sources of omega three fatty acids is fish which should be eaten more.
On the other hand, consumption of fast food, sugar, milk and dairy products, red meat etc. causes hormonal imbalance and inflammation in the body. And so such foods should be avoided as much as possible. Also avoid drinking soft drinks. However, in order not to have a lack of water in the body, you should drink 2 to 3 liters of water every day.
What else can be done to eliminate hormonal acne?
Other rules to follow to get rid of hormonal acne are mentioned below: (MacGill, 2018)
Do not use any screen care products that are harmful to the skin and can clog hair follicles. Excessive humidity and heat should be avoided. Use sunscreen before going out in the sun and wash your hands after sweating. Do not wash your hands excessively. Because it destroys the natural oiliness of the skin and can make the skin rough.
Do not use soap on the face. Use a face wash free of harmful chemicals.
Cold water or lukewarm water should be used to wash hands and face. Using excessively hot water has harmful effects on the skin. Unclean hands should not be applied to pimples. Try not to touch acne as much as you can.
Also to cure acne problems and maintain hormonal balance in the body to reduce acne proneness should lead a regular life. For example:
If you have the habit of waking up at night, you should avoid it and sleep for 8 to 9 hours every night.
Excess body weight should be kept under control and regular exercise should be done. Smoking and drinking can cause hormonal imbalance in the body. And so if you have the habit of smoking and drinking it is important to avoid it.
Avoid excessive stress. Yoga plays a beneficial role in maintaining good mental health.
Note that intercourse and masturbation are not associated with acne.
Final thought
Hormonal changes in the body and its effect on acne are very rare. But for this one should not get upset but try to live a normal life and also follow the natural rules.
