Hormonal changes, including those caused by menopause, menstruation, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), can be triggers for cystic acne.
Cystic acne is the most serious type of acne. It develops when cysts form deep underneath your skin. This can result from a combination of bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells that get trapped in your pores. Although anyone can develop acne, cystic acne tends to occur in people with oily skin.
While you may want to pop your cyst open, you should never do so by squeezing or picking at it. Most cysts are nearly impossible to squeeze out with your fingers alone. Plus, you can send bacteria and sebum deep below the hair follicles, causing the materials to spread and make even more cysts.
Causes of Cystic Acne
Cystic acne occurs when bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum (the substance that makes your face feel oily) get trapped beneath the skin's surface and become infected. This leads to a large, swollen cyst (bump) that can hurt just to touch.
“Cystic acne is commonly increased in your thirties as this is when the skin is most susceptible to hormonal changes. The hormonal shifts affect the oil glands and sebaceous glands in the skin,” Dr. Purvisha Patel, board certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare adds.
Conclusions. Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent in patients with acne, and serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely correlated with acne severity, especially in patients with inflammatory lesions.
A 2016 study found that people with acne have lower levels of vitamin D than those without the skin condition. This deficiency may be a factor in the development of acne. According to a study from 2014, Vitamin D also blocks P. acnes from affecting skin cells.
Benefits of using vitamin D for acne
Vitamin D also has an anti-inflammatory property. Having adequate levels of vitamin D in your system may help address the inflammatory symptoms of acne. Taking vitamin D supplements could also be an alternative way of treating recurrent acne that appears red and inflamed.
What does hormonal acne look like? Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules are all common hormonal acne symptoms. Normally, whiteheads and blackheads do not cause pain, inflammation or swelling, but if they do, then they are most likely forming into cysts and pustules.
Hormones!! You might think your thriving through your 30s, but your oestrogen levels are not, it is around this time when your levels will first begin to dip and your cell turnover slows down, making your skin less tight and elastic, causing dryness and acne flare-ups.
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.
Spironolactone is the most common treatment for hormonal acne that is provided by Dermatologists.
Research suggests that acne on your chin and jawline is often related to hormones , particularly in women. Hormones called androgens stimulate the production of sebum, which is the oil responsible for clogging pores. Acne is very common among teenagers because hormone production increases during this time.
Women are more prone to acne right before monthly menstrual cycles. Increasing consumption of vitamin A, D, zinc, and vitamin E can help fight acne and lead to clearer skin.
Depending on the treatment, cystic acne can last for eight to twelve weeks. When a pore gets clogged from skin cells, oil, and bacteria, it can become infected, leaving a red and swollen bump. Cystic acne occurs when this infection goes deep into the skin, creating a bump that can be painful to the touch.
Zinc's anti-inflammatory properties help the body to reduce swelling and redness in acne patients. Studies show that patients who were treated with zinc noticed a decrease in active breakouts compared to those who didn't. Since zinc also helps wound healing, it can help to reduce any residual acne scarring.
Exposure to sunlight is a significant source of vitamin D. People might also get vitamin D from supplements or creams. People with vitamin D deficiencies are more susceptible to acne.
Vitamin D supplements cause hormonal acne in almost everyone who is acne-prone, and even in those who weren't previously struggling with acne. Here's why Vitamin D supplements can cause acne: the first key reason is that Vitamin D stimulates testosterone, which is the primary hormone that aggravates hormonal acne.
Zinc halts the over-production of keratinocytes and helps clear up acne over time. It also helps with the epidermal balance of keratin and collagen to help prevent blockage within the skin. Similarly, zinc is a natural DHT-blocker that lowers the amount of sebum that the skin produces.
Oral zinc sulfate is reportedly more effective in the treatment of severe acne than for the treatment of mild to moderate acne but nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea occur frequently [37–40].