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If you have acne that appears along with your monthly hormonal shifts, you may have hormonal acne. This type of acne often appears on the chin or jaw area, and it can be not only unattractive but also painful. So, what is hormonal acne and what are the contributors? And, most importantly, can it be treated?

Acne Caused by Hormonal Changes

Some of us know all too well what acne entails. Many experience the agony of acne during the teenage years when the breakouts often begin. Acne is technically a breakout caused by overstimulated sebaceous glands in the skin. The pores overproduce oil, which causes eruptions of inflamed areas and makes you want to run for cover!

Hormonal acne is often identified as acne that appears when hormones change. These moments can include:

• Monthly hormones
• Pregnancy
• Perimenopause
• Conditions that change hormones
• Stress, which can stimulate hormones

How to Know if Your Acne is Hormonal

If acne follows a pattern along with your monthly menstrual cycle or stressful times in your life, it may be hormonal acne. The condition may also accompany pregnancy or perimenopause, so even if you think you’re well past the age when zits can appear, be prepared!

In addition to showing up at the typical times when hormones change, one of the hallmarks of hormonal acne is that it appears on the chin or jaw area. Left untreated, it can cause scarring and last for weeks or months.

Treating Hormonal Acne

While there isn’t a quick fix for hormonal acne, there are treatment options, and they vary for each person and the severity of the acne. If you think you have hormonal acne, Dr. Stemmerman will perform a complete exam and determine if hormonal testing is an appropriate step.

Hormonal testing is valuable in determining the state of the many hormones that course throughout your body. If there is another condition that is causing a hormonal imbalance, it is important to diagnose it and treat that first to prevent ongoing breakouts. As a medical cosmetic provider, Dr. Stemmerman has the knowledge and 15 years of experience to diagnose medical conditions that can be the cause of hormonal acne.

To address the unpleasant appearance of acne, topical products can be prescribed. This can include a variety of strengths of antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoid products. Daily cleansing with the right products also helps improve acne. The goal will be to minimize the acne and prevent acne scars.

You don’t have to suffer with the embarrassment and painful bumps from acne of any kind. There is hope for your acne! Seeking treatment that identifies the cause of the acne can help you have clear skin throughout your life. Make an appointment at Infinity Medical Clinic to learn more.

Have you been looking for a medical cosmetic provider to help you feel great about how you look? Are you concerned about the quality and effectiveness of cosmetic skin procedures? Researching medical cosmetic providers can help you find a good fit for your skin treatment needs. We’d like to share three tips for researching these providers:

1. Look into their medical cosmetic services
2. Consider their training and experience
3. Ask questions

Follow along as we take a moment to address each tip!

Look Into Medical Cosmetic Services

The first thing you will want to research is which cosmetic services they provide. Review their website to learn about their services and their approach to medical cosmetic procedures. If you are interested in chemical peels to help remediate sun damage, check for that option. If you are curious about Botox treatments for frown lines, see what they have to say about that service. Many medical cosmetic providers, including Dr. Stemmerman, provide information about their services on their websites and in their blogs.

Consider Medical Cosmetic Training and Experience

Another important factor is the provider’s training and experience with medical cosmetic procedures and products. Their comfort and expertise in providing these services translates into greater comfort and confidence for you.

Providers range in training from physicians with additional medical cosmetic education to nurses with esthetics training. Depending on their degree, most nurses receive from two to four years of college, while physicians must complete four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school, and three to seven years in a residency. In addition, physicians are directly responsible for patient care.

As an example, Dr. Stemmerman has 25+ years of experience as a family physician and more than 15 years as a medical cosmetic provider. She received extensive Botox training and has personally performed Botox injections, chemical peels, dermal fillers, and other medical cosmetic procedures. In addition, she is a Doctor of Osteopathy in a private practice, so she is attentive to each patient’s overall health and their goals for feeling as great as they look. With her specialization in medical cosmetics, she can treat the source of cosmetic skin problems, such as acne, and monitor medical issues such as hormonal imbalances and other women’s health factors.

Ask the Provider Questions

Once you decide to make an appointment, be sure to ask the provider and/or their staff about medical cosmetic treatments. How do they approach cosmetic issues in general? Do they often provide services to people with your specific problem (e.g. acne scars, worry lines, or dark spots)? Are the products they use backed by scientific research and FDA approved? When was their most recent continuing education in medical cosmetic services? These questions and others will help guide your cosmetic care and confirm the provider has the tools needed to provide quality care.

Ensure your confidence in the medical cosmetic provider you choose by researching their experience, services, and training. Ask questions and listen closely to their answers so you can feel at ease with the provider you choose.

To learn more about Infinity Medical Clinic’s cosmetic medical solutions, contact Dr. Stemmerman today!