Hormonal Acne and Testing: What Your Skin Might Be Telling You
While some hormonal imbalances are obvious, many go undetected
Still breaking out despite changing products and a having healthy diet? You’re not alone. And your hormones might be the missing piece.
Many people struggling with hormonal acne never get their hormone levels tested, even though imbalances in hormones can play a major role in breakouts.
In this post, we’ll break down what hormone testing can reveal, who it’s for, and why it matters more than you think.
DISCLAIMER: THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS POST DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AS MEDICAL ADVICE; IS NOT MEANT TO DIAGNOSE, PREVENT, TREAT, OR CURE ANY CONDITIONS OR DISEASE; AND IS MEANT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE INFORMATION IN THIS POST DOES NOT REPLACE OR SUBSTITUTE THE ADVICE OF YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER. SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY NEW TREATMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS OR BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH ME TODAY.
What is hormonal acne and what are the hormones behind it?
Hormonal acne often shows up around the lower face, chin, and jawline, especially in adult women. It tends to flare cyclically with your menstrual cycle or during times of stress.
Cycle-related androgen hormones, like testosterone, can drive oil production and trigger the cascade of inflammation that lead to breakouts. Stress-related hormones, like corticotropin releasing hormone can also drive oil production.
When going deeper, blood sugar hormones, like insulin hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), are suggested to impact testosterone. (Learn more about blood sugar and acne here)
One study suggests that insulin and IGF-1 activate the body to produce more testosterone to potentially trigger breakouts. So, some people may notice new breakouts after eating foods that spike blood sugar, like sweets.
Another cycle-related hormone that impacts oil production includes estrogen, with researchers suggesting that estrogen has a beneficial effect by reducing oil production.
Researchers also suggest that low estrogen combined with imbalances in testosterone and another cycle-related hormone, progesterone, may play a role in acne in some women.
So, just like an orchestra needs harmony to play beautifully, your hormones need balance to function the way they were meant to.
Why testing matters
While some hormonal imbalances are obvious, many go undetected; especially if you’re still having regular periods.
Testing takes the guesswork out of healing by revealing things like elevated androgens and other root imbalances that often go unseen. For those feeling stuck with hormonal acne, these insights can be the start of their journey towards long-term skin healing.
Beyond breakouts, some other subtle signs of hormonal imbalance include:
And much more
So, if someone has breakouts and other subtle signs of hormone imbalance, these are all messages from their body that inner issues are taking place. Testing helps pinpoint what imbalances are causing these issues.
What types of hormone tests exist?
Depending on your symptoms and cycle, different tests may be recommended by your doctor.
Blood tests can give a snapshot of your current levels. For many issues that contribute to hormone imbalance, blood tests could be standard of care and could be diagnostically useful.
Functional hormone tests, such as saliva tests and urine tests (like the DUTCH Test), are used by some providers to supplement information from blood work. These functional tests offer a deeper look at hormone metabolites and rhythms that blood work might not reflect.
Each type offers different insights, and sometimes they’re used together for a fuller picture.
There is a variety of blood work biomarkers that a provider may order for their patient to gauge their levels. Because of the variety of blood work biomarkers and functional hormone tests available, lab suggestions can be personalized for each individual depending on symptoms and more.
For many of my patients, many prefer to start with blood work and then move forward with functional hormone testing if needed. Many times, my patients see imbalances in blood work that they can start to address before proceeding with functional tests.
What to do with your results
Lab results can help you uncover the root cause(s) of your hormonal acne. Once you understand your hormone patterns, you and your doctor can tailor your skincare, nutrition, and treatment plan.
Holistic acne care plans can be multi-pronged, addressing the various root issues unearthed by labs. For example, if lab work suggests imbalances in cycle-relate hormones, like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, there are many natural, integrative, and conventional approaches that could be suggested to you by your doctor.
Additionally, if lab results suggests blood sugar imbalances, there are also several approaches that your doctor could suggest to promote blood sugar regulation, like with natural, integrative, and conventional methods.
It’s common for a holistic provider to address multiple findings from your lab results at once, since many of them are interconnected. At the end of the day, the goal is to bring your system into better balance effectively, sustainably, and gently as possible.
For many of my patients, I value educating them about what is happening in their bodies by going over their lab results in detail and what those results mean concerning their symptoms. I also value educating my patients about their options for root-cause healing, whether it be natural approaches or conventional approaches.
Ultimately, I want anyone working with me to see the full picture so that they can make the best decision for their health and wellness.
CLARITY through testing: Your skin, decoded
Hormonal acne doesn’t have to be something to just “push through.” Consider it as a message from your body. With the right testing and support, you can finally stop guessing and start healing from the inside-out.
If you’re feeling called to explore this path for your skin, consider working with a licensed provider who understands both the science and the deeper strategy behind hormonal acne and testing. If you’re located in Los Angeles, you can find me at The Things We Do in Downtown Los Angeles.
You can learn more about how I work as a licensed naturopathic doctor and book your visit by clicking the button below.
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