Acne Information

Acne continues to be a growing problem for people of all ages. All around the world there are a growing number of pollutants in our food or in the air that irritate the skin, leaving scores of people with unsightly white-heads, black-heads, pimples and of course the dreaded result, acne scarring. This problem can make anyone insecure, but it can be especially debilitating for women.

Women with acne experience social ostracizing both from men as well as members of their own sex. For a gender that seems to be prized for its beauty, the appearance of acne can make even the most beautiful women experience a troubled self-image. Here are some things that may affect female acne in a negative or positive way.

Hormones

The shifting balance of hormones in the female body can be a significant cause of skin problems for women. Whether it is due to diet, exercise, or one’s menstrual cycle, these hormones can adjust skin chemistry and result in a growing nightmare for ladies young and old. Drinking green tea regularly has been shown in some studies to alleviate the effects of ebbing hormones on skin condition, although there is still a great deal of research that has yet to be done to add credence to this theory. Like most acne issues, keeping follicles open is often the best method that can be used to alleviate this issue. This is best done by keeping an effective daily cleansing habit.

Antibiotic Use

Some women use topical antibiotics regularly to combat acne. While this can have an immediate effect and last for a short span of time, it will likely disrupt the balance of chemicals in the skin in the long run, and will leave you with the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria finding a home somewhere on your body. The use of long term antibiotics also weakens the immune system a considerable amount, leaving your body that much less equipped to fight invaders in your pores or follicles.

Birth Control

Birth control has been lauded in many separate arenas for its benefits on fighting acne. This is mostly due to its role in reducing androgen levels. Androgens are hormones that work in the female reproductive cycle, but have also been attributed to a higher incidence of acne and other skin problems. While birth control does play a role in acne’s reduction through this medium, there are also many other compounds in modern birth control regiments that may make acne worse, simply by changing the chemicals at play within your body. Any time the delicate balance of your body is disrupted by outside chemicals, the end result could be even worse acne than you had to begin with. Be sure to do the research into whatever birth control products you are considering to find out exactly how they might react with your body before using them.