A Glandular Tale: Hormonal Treatment and Acne
Since it has been definitively established that increased hormonal activity leads to acne, hormonal treatment ought to control acne, right? Um…only in women, folks. I kid you not, because study after study has established that in most women, acne improves with hormonal treatment. The fact is that the majority of women suffering from acne usually try the usual acne remedies like topical lotions and cleansers. However, about 60 percent of these women either do not respond to standard acne treatments or develop resistance to medication.
To go over the basics once more, acne is caused by the actions of the male hormone androgen on oil glands that enlarge and become increasingly sensitive, producing excessive oil and leading to clogging of pores. That in turn causes white heads and blackheads, which, with the help of acne bacteria (P. Acnes), inflame to become ugly red pimples and pustules.
It has been discovered that anti-testosterones in combination with estrogens significantly reduce androgenic hormone levels. A casual chat with your dermatologist or physician ought to give you more details.
Allied to this process is the direct injecting of cortisone into particularly large acne pustules, which basically flattens it and thus reduces both the redness and the swelling. You may experience a slight whitening of the area around the injection point, but that’s about it.
I know for a fact that hormonal treatment for acne has benefited several of my friends, and I would recommend it to the ladies out there. Let us know how you get on, eh?
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