ACNE UNCOVERED { ar t i c le }
Whether you have flawless skin, or frequently suffer from blackheads or pimples, it is not unusual to experience acne flare-ups in line with your menstrual cycle. Premenstrual acne is very common: for some, it will be the only time they break out, and for others, it can cause existing acne to worsen. In any case, it’s not fun to deal with. While acne is more common among teenagers going through puberty, premenstrual acne can affect women at any age. Throughout adolescence, premenstrual acne usually occurs in the T-zone – across the forehead and down through the nose to the chin. Adult premenstrual acne is worse around thebottomof thecheeks, jawline and chin. The cause is the same: hormone fluctuations. Specifically, an increase in the relative level of testosterone to oestrogen. Higher levels of testosterone stimulate the sebaceous glands as a precursor to the development of acne. Your sebaceous glands are located within your skin and produce sebum, which helps to
lubricate and waterproof skin. Too much sebum can make our skin oily, causing acne flare-ups. While there are many things you can do to improve your skin’s appearance, remember that premenstrual acne is predominantly caused by fluctuations in hormone levels. To decrease the severity of not only premenstrual acne, but other symptoms of PMS, it’s important to maintain a lifestyle that supports healthy hormone levels. Maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, eat loads of vegetables, and exercise regularly to support hormone regulation. Remember too, that these hormone fluctuations are completely natural and biologically important. For some, acne can be debilitating and greatly impact mental health, so always be kind to yourself and others suffering acne. Health practitioners can often help with strategies to cope with acne if it starts affecting your mental health.
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