Acne is the most common skin condition in the nation and can occur at any stage in life. While primarily impacting teens, the American Academy of Dermatology reports that acne is on the increase in adults.
When oil and dead skin cells clog your skin’s pores, it causes acne. Hormonal levels have a lot to do with acne, but sometimes the issue is compounded by bacterial concerns, presenting as blackheads, cyst-like lumps, or blockages in your hair follicles. You can tell if acne is hormonal or bacteria by its severity if flare-ups occur during hormonal imbalances, and whether topical treatments resolve the issues, or if systemic medications are needed.
Let’s break down how to tell if acne is hormonal or bacterial and look at treatment options.
Hormonal vs Bacterial Acne
While the initial cause of your acne is likely hormonal, clogged pores from oil and dead skin cells can become infected. This then becomes a bacterial issue.
When topical methods used to treat hormonal acne fail, it could mean you have bacterial acne. Moderate or severe bacterial acne may require oral antibiotics, provided by a board-certified dermatologist, to reduce infection, or birth control to reduce the overproduction of sebum.
However, an acne treatment program under the guidance of a licensed esthetician can effectively combat hormonal acne before it gets to the severe bacterial stage. While a monthly acne treatment can be very helpful for clients, receiving an acne treatment or clarifying acne treatment once a month or less will not clear your skin in the way a dedicated acne treatment program such as Pure Skin Pro can.
Hormonal Changes and Acne
Our bodies produce sebum, an oily substance that helps protect the surface of our skin. Sebum is mostly concentrated on our face, scalp, and chest because it travels through the ducts of our hair follicles.
But let’s not dive into the gross details of how oil travels up our hair shafts…
The bottom line is that sebum production will increase or decrease depending on hormonal fluctuations. So, a teen going through puberty may experience sebum overproduction, but this can also be blamed on a reaction to certain medications, an increase in stress levels, your menstrual cycle, increased exposure to UV rays, or your genetic history. Hormonal acne and bacterial acne can occur at any age.
The good news is that Pure Skin Pro can determine effective, customized acne treatments with options that best suit your skincare needs.
Your Acne Is Different
Everyone’s skin is unique. Acne, its causes, and its treatment are different for everyone.
Retinoid, AHA’s, BHA’s, azelaic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are some of the most effective products available to treat acne. While all these products can be found over the counter, their success in treating your acne will depend on their proper use and application and the current condition of your skin.
You will need a dedicated program with prescribed home care using products specific to the needs of your skin.
Face and body acne treatments may involve multiple electrical modalities, resurfacing solutions, and Organic Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) and possible LED light therapy.
Schedule a new client consultation and treatment. This is the best way to learn more about the acne treatment program and what to expect.