We need hormones for everything our bodies do. They are released directly into the bloodstream or ducts. For instance, hormones regulate the metabolism, induce hunger, stimulate growth and prepare the body for childbirth. However, some of those hormones can cause the skin to experience some unflattering conditions. Consider how your skin has and will continue to change because of hormones.
Androgen
Androgens stimulate hair growth and the sebaceous glands in the skin. The result is acne that can run from the time a person is in their teens until after their 20’s. Acne feeds on sebum. When an excessive amount of sebum is produced, it can cause pores to become blocked and full of acne bacteria.
Estrogen
Estrogen is prominent as women reach their “child-bearing years”, and it continues to be a large influence on the body and the skin, which is due to its production and lack of production.
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In pregnancy, estrogen can cause an increase in melanin production, which is responsible for the “mask of pregnancy”, and it also goes by the term “hyperpigmentation”. Birth control pills also cause a fluctuation in estrogen production.
Changes in estrogen can cause a flare up of break-outs and cause dry skin. Also, a lack of estrogen causes skin to lose its elasticity and collagen production. Dry skin and a lack of elasticity and collagen cause an increase of wrinkles to occur. Paler-looking skin also occurs because there are less blood vessels present in the skin.
“Stress Hormones”
Cortisol and norepinephrine can cause estrogen, testosterone and androgens to fluctuate in the body. This occurs any time the brain perceives a situation as potentially dangerous. Stress hormones are also responsible for acne and cause inflammatory responses in the skin. Inflammation speeds up the aging process significantly.
Thyroxin
Too much thyroxin makes the skin look smooth, flushed, warm and sweaty. Too little thyroxin causes skin to be coarse, thick and dry.
Testosterone
Despite the fact that women have less testosterone than men, it is still present. Testosterone can cause acne to occur. Increases in testosterone can be seen when a person has polycystic ovary syndrome and a temporary influx after intercourse.
All of these hormones cause changes in the skin. The best thing to do is to visit a professional to evaluate your skin. Also, hormone production and communication changes with age. Your current hormonal levels must be treated first. What is causing you acne today may not be what was causing you acne as a teen. A professional will be able to look at your factors and your age to determine the best course of treatment.
Also, be sure to take care of your health. Take time to eat healthy, drink adequate water and exercise regularly. In addition to these factors, be sure to relax. Stress causes more than adrenal fatigue, which also wreaks havoc on your hormone production. Stress throws the body off. Relaxation is one of the best ways to reduce stress in the body, and it helps to balance hormones.