FEMALE ACNE AND HORMONES
by Geoffrey Redmond, MD
Acne is Extremely Common
What Causes Acne?
Acne, the Teenage Years and Beyond
Treating the Hormonal Cause of Acne
Skin Care for Acne
Non-Prescription/Prescription Acne Treatments
Hormonal Treatment of Acne
Acne and Extra Hair
Acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A Final Note
Acne and Extra Hair
Increases in hair growth and female acne do, unfortunately, go together because the hormonal cause of the two conditions is the same. In both cases, androgens (testosterone and related hormones) act to trigger the condition.
The initial event in acne is increased oil production. The oil is produced in the sebaceous glands which are part of the same skin structure as the hair follicles. The two are part of the same skin structure, called the pilosebaceous unit. While the sebaceous gland responds to testosterone by making more oil, the hair root responds by growing hair that is longer, thicker and darker.
The sebaceous glands respond immediately to testosterone and so acne usually appears fairly soon after levels go up. The hair follicle however may take months or years to respond so increases in hair growth generally appear at a somewhat later age than acne. Not everyone follows this pattern however.
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Acne is Extremely Common
What Causes Acne?
Acne, the Teenage Years and Beyond
Treating the Hormonal Cause of Acne
Skin Care for Acne
Non-Prescription/Prescription Acne Treatments
Hormonal Treatment of Acne
Acne and Extra Hair
Acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A Final Note
