Why Teenagers Struggle with Hormonal Acne

Everyone knows that teenagers get acne. The big question, especially if you are a teen, is why. The short answer is hormones. Teenage acne, or acne vulgaris, is largely hormonal acne, meaning the acne is stimulated by the onset of puberty and the attendant hormones that are released. That being said, not all hormones lead to the production of acne, and in fact, boys can expect more and frequent outbreaks than girls. Why is this?

Hormonal Acne: How Male Hormones Affect Skin

When puberty hits, males produce hormones called androgens, which, in addition to influencing sex characteristics and hair growth, stimulate the sebaceous glands, which produce oil in the skin. The more hormones, the more oil production. These hormones may also exacerbate the growth of certain cells in the sebaceous glands, plugging them up and trapping the oil inside. This in turn leads to acne.

Hormonal Acne: How Female Hormones Affect Skin

Female hormones like estrogen and progesterone actually work against androgens and decrease the stimulation of the sebaceous glands and the production of oil and hence, acne. Of course, teenage girls get pimples too, because both males and females have both androgen and estrogen, although typically androgen concentrations are much higher in guys.

What Can Be Done About Hormonal Acne?

Hormonal acne is something that many teens will have to struggle with for many of their teenage years, until the hormones in their bodies balance out. Some teens will have a great deal of acne, while others will have none at all. However, those with acne do not have to suffer helplessly. If you suffer from acne, you should wash regularly, especially after working up a good sweat (but not wash excessively, as this can lead to drying of the skin). You may also use products shown to aid in the reduction or prevention of acne, such as the Proactiv line of products. In serious acne cases, you may wish to consult with a dermatologist about the best course of action.

Although hormonal acne will often be a temporary condition, the teenage years in which it is common may seem like an eternity. This is why it is important to learn about all the treatments for acne that are available and take the time to learn which are the best treatments for you.