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Understanding Hormonal Pimples: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

August 10, 2024

Dr. Shraddha Pitalia

3 min read

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A young women popping at her pimples

Are you struggling with persistent breakouts that don’t seem to respond to typical acne treatments? You might be dealing with hormonal pimples, also known as adult pimples. These frustrating blemishes are not just a teenage problem but can affect adults as well, into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. If you are dreaming of banishing pimples from your life and waking up to clear skin, then this blog is for you. It helps you understand the causes of these pimples, their symptoms, and the most effective treatments for hormonal pimples, empowering you to take control of your skin health and achieve the clear, radiant skin you deserve.

What Are Hormonal Pimples?

Hormonal pimples refer to the pimples that occur along the jawline, chin, develop during menstruation, are of cystic type with or without menstrual irregularities, and are often associated with male-like facial hair growth.

Factors that cause Hormonal Pimples

Unlike teenage acne, which is primarily triggered by hormonal changes during puberty, adult pimples can have a more complex etiology. While genetics play a role, hormonal fluctuations are often the main culprit. Here is a list of factors that cause of hormonal pimples:

  • Androgens: These male sex hormones, present in both men and women, can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the skin. This increased sebum production can clog pores, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and ultimately leading to pimples.
  • Estrogen and Progesterone: These female sex hormones play a balancing act with androgens. During a menstrual cycle, fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels can contribute to breakouts, particularly around the jawline and chin.
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A common endocrine disorder in women, PCOS is often associated with hormonal imbalances that can lead to elevated androgen levels, significantly increasing the risk of adult pimple breakouts.
  • Other Hormonal Fluctuations: Changes in hormone levels during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause can lead to increased sebum production, clogging pores, and causing hormonal pimples.
  • Stress: Elevated stress levels can trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone that can exacerbate acne.
  • Diet: Foods high in refined sugars and dairy products can influence hormone levels, potentially worsening acne.
  • Medications: Certain drugs, including corticosteroids, can alter hormone levels and contribute to acne development.

Understanding the root cause of pimples is essential to determining the most effective treatment to address adult pimples.

Recognising the Signs: Symptoms of Hormonal/adult Pimples

While pimples themselves are the most evident symptom, adult pimples often exhibit specific characteristics that can help you differentiate them from other types of acne. Here are some symptoms to consider:

Location: Hormonal pimples typically appear on the lower part of the face, particularly the jawline, chin, and cheeks, in contrast to teenage acne, which often occurs on the forehead, nose, and central face.

Timing: For women, pimple breakouts frequently coincide with their menstrual cycle.

Consistency: Hormonal pimples may come and go but tend to follow a recurring pattern.

Types of lesions: These pimples are typically deep, cystic, and painful. And can occur as various types, including:

  • Papules: Small, red, inflamed bumps without pus.
  • Pustules: Red bumps with white pus centers, commonly known as whiteheads.
  • Nodules: Larger, solid, painful bumps that lie deep within the skin.
  • Cysts: Large, pus-filled nodules that can be painful and leave scars.

Must Read: How to get rid of heat pimples on face?

How do I know that I have hormonal pimples?

If you suspect you have adult pimples, schedule a consultation with a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plan. Here is what you will likely look for:

  • Physical examination: During your appointment, the dermatologist will closely examine your acne to assess its location, severity, and type of blemishes.
  • Reviewing Contributing Factors: They will also inquire about your lifestyle habits, skincare routine, medical history, medications, stress and sleep, and health changes through a discussion.
  • Blood test: They can also prescribe a blood test to determine the cause of the pimples.

By combining the physical examination with a thorough discussion of contributing factors and a blood test, your dermatologist can determine if your acne is hormonal and recommend the most effective treatment plan for you.

Must Read: Cystic Pimples: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Clear Skin Solutions

Advanced Hormonal Pimples Treatment at Evenly Clinic

Here is a closer look at some of the hormonal pimples treatment options we might discuss at your consultation:

Topical Medications

A combination of topical medications proves most effective. For instance, we may combine a retinoid with benzoyl peroxide to tackle clogged pores, reduce inflammation, and eliminate bacteria. Our topical medications contain active ingredients like:

  • Retinoids: Effective Vitamin A derivative, it helps reduce inflammation and unclog pores. Examples include tretinoin and adapalene.
  • Benzoyl Peroxide: This antimicrobial agent kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces oil production.
  • Salicylic Acid: A beta-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and prevents clogged pores.
  • Azelaic acid: This topical medication has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a valuable option for managing hormonal acne.

Oral Medications

  • Oral contraceptives: For women with hormonal imbalances contributing to their breakouts, birth control pills can be a viable option. These medications regulate hormone levels, potentially leading to significant improvement in acne.
  • Spironolactone: Primarily used for women, this medication acts as an anti-androgen, helping to regulate androgen levels and reduce sebum production.
  • Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics can reduce inflammation and bacteria.
  • Oral retinoids: With a higher concentration of active ingredients, it offers a more aggressive treatment.

Advanced hormonal Pimples Treatment for stubborn acne

In some cases, where the oral and topical medications haven’t yielded the desired results, our dermatologist may recommend more advanced treatment to address stubborn hormonal pimples. These options include:

  • Chemical Peel: These treatments use the controlled application of naturally extracted acidic solutions to remove the top layer of skin. This process promotes cell turnover and unclogs pores, helping to reduce the severity of hormonal pimples. The treatment also improves skin texture and tone, making it an excellent option for those dealing with persistent acne.
  • Acne clean-up: This cleaning procedure thoroughly cleanses the skin to remove impurities and prevent clogged pores. This treatment often includes deep cleansing, exfoliation, and the application of antibacterial products to reduce inflammation and bacteria on the skin.
  • Comedone extraction: It is an extraction treatment to remove blackheads and whiteheads using a specialised machine manually. This method helps to clear clogged pores and prevent the development of more severe acne lesions. It’s especially useful for those with non-inflammatory comedone acne.
  • Intralesional Injections: Intralesional injections involve injecting a corticosteroid solution directly into an inflamed acne cyst. This treatment helps to reduce inflammation and promote faster healing of the pimple. Intralesional injections are particularly effective for treating painful, cystic acne that doesn’t respond well to other treatments.
  • Medi-facials: These are advanced facial treatments tailored to address specific skin concerns, including hormonal pimples. These facials incorporate medical-grade ingredients and techniques to cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish the skin. Medi-facials can help reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and promote overall skin health.
  • Carbon laser toning: It is a non-invasive laser treatment that uses activated carbon to absorb impurities and excess oil from the skin. The laser targets the carbon particles, effectively exfoliating the skin and reducing acne-causing bacteria. This treatment is beneficial for managing oily skin and minimising the appearance of large pores.

Before and After Results of Hormonal Pimples Treatment

Check out the before and after images of our client who took hormonal pimples treatment at EVenly. Witness the skin improvement:

Hormonal pimples treatment results

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Modifications

  • Incorporate a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sugar and dairy intake.
  • Chronic stress can exacerbate hormonal imbalances and contribute to breakouts. Incorporate stress-relieving practices like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine.
  • Aim for at least 7-8 hours of restless sleep each day. During sufficient sleep, your body goes into repair mode, rebuilding and rejuvenating cells throughout, including those in your skin. This can contribute to a healthier and more radiant complexion.
  • Don’t forget to apply SPF 30 or more sunscreen to shield your skin. Sun exposure can worsen acne and make it more susceptible to scarring.
  • Avoid pore-clogging products and choose comedogenic makeup and skincare products.
  • Arrange routine check-ups with your dermatologist to help manage and prevent breakouts.
  • Develop a consistent skincare routine that includes gentle cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing. Choose cleansers with hyaluronic acid or ceramides, which help your skin retain moisture.

Dealing with hormonal pimples can be a daunting task, but understanding the underlying cause of pimples and available treatments can make a significant difference. By adopting a holistic approach that includes medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and professional guidance, you can achieve clearer, healthier skin. At Evenly Skin and Hair Clinic, we are committed to helping you navigate this journey with expert care and personalised solutions. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step towards a pimple-free future.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Hormonal pimples are primarily caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly androgens, which increase oil production and clog pores. Other factors include stress, diet, medications, and conditions like PCOS.

Yes, a diet high in refined sugars and dairy products can influence hormone levels and potentially worsen acne. Incorporating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help.

No, hormonal pimples can affect both men and women. While women may experience breakouts related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause, men can also have hormonal fluctuations that lead to acne, often related to androgens.

For seeing the optimal results the time varies depending on the treatment. Topical treatments may take several weeks to months, while professional procedures like chemical peels and laser treatments can show improvement more quickly.

While hormonal pimples can be managed and significantly reduced with the right treatment plan, completely curing them can be challenging due to the ongoing nature of hormonal fluctuations. Long-term management often involves a combination of treatments and lifestyle adjustments.

Yes, hormonal pimples, especially cystic acne, can lead to scarring if not treated properly. It’s essential to avoid picking or squeezing pimples and to seek professional treatments that can minimise scarring, such as chemical peels, microneedling, and laser treatment.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any skin and hair-related questions or would like to discuss personalized solutions, please reach out to us at 7337899030. Our team of specialists is committed to delivering personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Take the first step towards a healthier, more confident you by scheduling a consultation with us today. Your journey to vibrant skin and stronger hair begins here.

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