murad

Ok so I’ve heard the rumor that testosterone and estrogen cause acne. These are the male and female hormones that are present in both sexes. Males have more testosterone and females more estrogen. There was a recent study done to see if it could be determined if one sex or hormone was tied to acne and the results are in. Testosterone does not cause acne. Estrogen does not cause acne. People with and without acne of both sexes were tested to see their levels and it was found that the levels had nothing to do with the acne on the skin. There was a chemical found in women however that did attack the skin. That chemical is serum androgen.

Since androgens target the skin it translates to more risk for the girl. This chemical is increased by testosterone levels in the body. This is where the rumor comes that testosterone is related to acne. There’s very little that can be done to control the testosterone in the body. It is a naturally forming chemical and you would need to be willing to go through hormone therapy. Alternately there is no subsequent information that indicates producing less testosterone later will cause the androgen to lessen. Boys vs. Girls. Girls are more likely to get acne with an increased production of testosterone where boys are not.

I’ve recently heard of the hub bub of Accutane. It’s being touted as a miracle drug for acne. Accutane is a form of vitamin A. Its supposed to reduce the amount of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and help your skin renew itself more quickly. It’s only used to treat very severe acne and only after other acne medicines and antibiotics fail to assist. With the success stories it appears to be the latest and greatest miracle drug for acne. If you’ve met anyone who’s taken accutane it’s programs have had the results it claims however before you go talking to your doctor lets look at a few things.

Most acne is severly reduced by education and treating the diet of the person who is afflicted. Accutane, works but it also can cause life threatening birth defects on any possible unborn, even after it’s use. It is unclear from the studies when it is safe to have children again. It can also cause joint pain and thinning hair. It can also cause dry skin and thereby have some acne issues. So what is someone to do? If you have severe acne and no interest in having children over the next few years you may want to talk to your doctor but make sure you talk to them about all of the risks as well as the benefits and see if it’s the right fit for you.

So your friends should be with you no matter what. Even if you have acne, even bad your friends should be the first people to say it doesn’t matter. But what if they’re not? I was a popular girl up until my sophomore year. My sophomore year I went through a lot of hormone changes which is really very common. My skin developed acne and I gained a few pounds. I really do mean just a few. I went from 125 to 135 that summer. You learn real fast who your friends are with just a little bit of trying times comes to your looks. My boyfriend broke up with me and my friends suddenly had other things to do. Then I met this girl, who was gorgeous. I think that she wasn’t popular because she didn’t want to be.

She was a new girl in school had just come for high school. I remember talking about her, she was kinda weird or at least that what everyone said but there wasn’t a boy in school who didn’t want to date her. Anyway one day she came up to me and asked how I was doing in Spanish. I said I was doing pretty ok and she offered to tutor me. It seemed weird since I was popular only I found out later that I wasn’t anymore. She showed me how to love myself and not think about the blemishes in a way that would control me. She and I are still best friends and after I went to my 5-year reunion, I was the most successful and one of the prettiest girls there.

So just for point of reference this is coming up because I have a zit that is right under my nose in the little crease between my nostril and smile line. I thought I would talk about some of the most annoying places to get a pimple. That is one and the most annoying I can think of in allergy season, which for me it is. I’ve had pimples in my ear and inside my nose. I think when they happen on skin that’s hidden from view and treatment it’s very difficult.

Sometimes it might be possible to use a topical numbing agent if it hurts too much to bear. Other times you just have to sit frustrated and try not to stick a Q tip in your ear to stop it. These also seem to hurt more. I use some over the counter Tylenol for pain and then move forward with my day as best as possible. Then I try to get an early night sleep so that I avoid popping it or feeling more discomfort. So other very annoying places to have pimples are in the genital area. It’s very difficult to treat and always concerns me. No matter where the pimple is it’s inconvenient. I still vote prevention.

So you’re pregnant and excited. Your skin gleams and your hair grows faster than normal. Your nails look better than you’ve ever seen them. You’re bundle of joy will be here and life is good. Then you break out and don’t know what to do. This is pretty normal when you think about it. Since your skin is replicating so quickly it can lead to producing too many skin cells which causes pimples. It’s also proven that in states of hormonal flux such as puberty, menopause and pregnancy acne is much more prevalent. Pregnancy has it’s own complications to acne though.

You’re more afraid as to what you can use. What will cause issues to the unborn and how do you stop these little menaces? Routine skin care, cleansers and some Benzoyl peroxide ointment is about the best you can do. It’s not going to cure acne but it will help it along. Many acne pills are not safe when you’re pregnant so it seems except for the routine maintenance that you will need to wait just a few months and it will correct itself and then you have the joys of parenthood. You may even forget that acne was a serious concern.