During the great hormone surge in puberty the entire body goes through a
metamorphosis, and the soft baby skin can begin to look like a battlefield,
swarming with red and swollen acne. Acne
during puberty occur due to testosterone fluctuations in both sexes, and this
hormone has its role: it shapes a man out of a boy, but it also helps girls get
stronger bones and muscles. But it is also the one to blame for the skin
changes and excess sebum, the oil that normally lubricates the skin, which clumps
together with dead skin cells around hair root and clogs the follicle.
Acne is a chronic
inflammatory disease that occurs in three phases: seborrheic - when the excess
sebum is produced, but there are still no extreme changes on the surface of the
skin; hyperkeratosis – when enlarged sebum glands create a lump on the skin,
due to sebum accumulation in the follicle, which results in pus. As this is the
ideal place for bacterial growth, it will lead to a bacterial phase, when Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)
bacteria causes inflammation. In this phase the acne is very visible, the skin
around them being red and inflamed and the peak black or white.
Once
the puberty is over and the hormones stop raging, the acne will disappear in
most cases. However, unfortunately, during the last couple of decades, adult
acne is on the rise, like an epidemic. The latest statistics show that even 50%
of women aged 20-29 suffer from acne. Only a half of them will be able to get
rid of it, and 25% will continue to battle with the problem until their late forties.
What
is the reason for this serious acne epidemic? We know that it is caused by the
hormones, and today, more than ever, we are exposed to hormone disruptors which
are all around us. They are disguised as time saving amenities that are
supposed to increase the quality of our lives: fast food filled with
preservatives and trans-fats, sweets that are always at a hand’s reach, sodas, plastic
food containers, cups and bottles, non-stick pans, detergents and cosmetics,
but also in basic food: fruit and vegetables covered in pesticides, meat and
milk filled with antibiotics and hormones... Everything that seemingly saves us
time is actually stealing it from us.
The
normal hormonal balance given to us by nature is so easily disrupted by modern
inventions. Women are particularly prone to it as they go through the usual monthly
hormone changes, which is a part of a normal reproductive cycle. But when
the hormones go out of balance, the disorder is usually manifested through
irregular periods, cysts, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS)…
and acne.
PCOS often goes together with acne during reproductive phase of female
life, and once the menopause sets in, the drop in estrogen and increase in androgen
hormone levels could also lead to sudden appearance of acne. Acne can also be
triggered by stress, i.e. rise of hormone cortisol. Hormonal acne normally
appear on the jaw and chin area, vary with the menstrual cycle, and all in the
same pore already enlarged by the previous pustule.
As much as we hate them, they should never be squeezed and touched. The
best thing to do is to consult a dermatologist and get an adequate professional
skin therapy and advice. But although hormonal treatment drugs are usually
prescribed by doctors, the problem will usually come back as soon as we stop
using them. Natural solutions require more time and effort, but they are the
best long standing choice. Medicinal herbs can provide a long-term solution.
Femisan A is a completely natural, plant-based medicinal product that
helps treat female reproductive system disorders by balancing hormones. It can
be even used by young girls, from the onset of the first period. Once estrogen and
testosterone are put back to balance, with adequate skin care and nutrition,
acne will disappear. But it cannot happen overnight. Herb medicines require
long and regular use, and even once the problem is solved, it is good to
continue with preventive therapy for a while longer. With proper nutrition and
Femisan A, hormonal acne don’t stand a chance.
