How hormones affect zits and skin
Hormones are responsible for a wide spectrum of conditions including acne. Androgens which are hormones present in both men's and women's body plays a significant role in developing blackheads, whiteheads and
zits. Androgens enhance sebaceous glands to produce sebum (oil). Without sebum there would be no acne because it’s the sebum that gets clogged inside pored resulting in blackheads, whiteheads and
zits.
Zits are more frequent in teens around puberty when their bodies start producing androgens. Boys are more affected in this period because androgens are produces in higher quantities in their bodies. Girls don't display the same severe breakouts during puberty. The sebum production shows significant decrease after age of 20 but it can spike again anytime.
High levels of androgens boost the sebum production. The extra oil along with dead skin cells and other debris on the skin can mix together and block follicles trapping oil and bacteria inside your skin pores.
The sebaceous glands will only act based on the amount of androgens so is the skin pores are clogged they will still produce sebum. The follicle will swell and your body will react sending white cells to "solve" this situation. The result will be bumps, whiteheads,
zits.
Most dermatologists agree that your diet doesn't either prevent or cause zits. The only dietary intakes that relate to zits are iodine like pills which in large amounts can cause acne breakouts and muscle enhancing steroids known to cause a very specific type of acne named steroid acne.
The hormone-zits relationship isn't a two-way road: hormone imbalance determines acne but having acne is not a sure sign of hormonal imbalance.
For women changes in their menstrual cycle such as period, pregnancy and menopause can all cause acne breakouts. So, for women the hormone level changes throughout a month and can determine significant changes in their skin condition. The best approach is to use topical acne treatments or in extreme situations oral antibiotics or maybe adjusting the use of contraceptive pills.
A few symptoms can hint the hormonal influenced acne:
- acne flare-ups that occur for the first time in adults
- unusual hair growth or hair in uncommon places
- high androgens levels in blood
- irregular menstrual cycles or acne breakouts before the period
- excessive facial oily skin
Read more info on the hormones - zits relationship.
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