Women’s Acne the causes and how it can be treated

Each person will experience having pimples and acne at one point. But men and women experience this in many different ways. While young men are likely to experience acne in a more serious manner, women’s acne seems to be more random and frequent, even occurring at a mature age of 40. Estrogen, a female hormone, may help decrease the production of oil that causes acne. For a woman of 40, when estrogen production often decreases due to menopause, acne can become a perennial problem.

To some women, acne can become quite upsetting. They can affect and elicit feelings of depression, low esteem or poor body image. Acne outbreaks can even affect the most self confident women.

Thankfully these days, there are many ways to resolve this.

But first let’s determine what causes acne in women:

• Puberty is one possible cause. At puberty, girl’s male sex hormones (androgen) cause their glands to produce more sebum. Sebum then causes acne to erupt.
• A woman’s menstrual cycle is also a common trigger. In a woman’s body, acne lesions form days before the cycle starts but these go away after the cycle is complete.
• Menopause and pregnancy also bring hormonal changes that can either improve skin condition, or worsen it.
• The use of birth control pills can also cause acne. It may also stop it while intake is ongoing.
• Certain depression medicines can trigger the eruption of acne.
• Make-up is also another factor. They tend to clog the pores especially when the face isn't’t thoroughly cleaned. Using make up that has been in storage for more than six months may also infect the skin and cause acne.
• Family history may also contribute. Acne problems can be hereditary.
• Stress also triggers an increased production of sebum.

If acne begins to be a problem, you should consult your dermatologist immediately. Your dermatologist may recommend a number of treatments, among these may contain tetracycline, minocycline and erythromycin. Some of it may work better than others.

Hormonal causes might be curbed with oral contraceptives or doses of estrogen in very high levels.

Your dermatologist may also recommend Accutane (isotretinoin), especially if the acne has worsened to cystic acne. Remember however, that accutane is a dangerous drug and is known to cause deadly side effects.

For mild cases of acne, you need to only do a couple of home remedies to alleviate the problem. Some over the counter drugs which you can purchase at the pharmacy may do the trick. Your doctor may suggest doing the following:

• Buy a topical medicine which contains benzoyl peroxide. This drying medication will help reduce the oil your face produce.
• Get products that produce peeling effects. They help remove dead skin cells often clogging the pores of the skin. Products that have salicylic acid also do the same. Similarly, medicine with sulphur or resorcinol acts as an acti-bacterial peeling agent, its effect is two for one.
• Scrubbing your face too often with products containing “grains” will supposedly purge pores. But in truth, it will make pimples worse. Instead, use cleansers with mild ingredients, preferably those that do not contain any fragrance or preservatives.
• Wash your face at least twice daily using mild products.
• Do not use oil-based make-up. Instead try water-based foundation or those that carry “noncomedogenic" on the label. Also, check your makeup products, as well as the sponges or puffs you use, as they may have germs that could cause infection.
• Don’t use thick creams at night. They do not allow your pores to breath and thus promoting acne.
• Do not try to squeeze the acne so that you won’t scar your skin. Trying to force out its contents will cause lesions that may become permanent scars.
• Have the right diet. Eating the right kind of food helps cleanse your body’s system.
• Avoid exposure to too much sun as this can produce more sebum causing acne. If it cannot be helped, use sunscreen when you think you will have to spend longer hours outdoors.
• Treatments do not happen overnight so be patient. If you follow your doctor’s prescription properly, expect results to manifest in a month or so.