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How hormones
affect zits and skin
Implicated in a wide range of
conditions and illnesses, hormones also play a role in the development of
acne - inflammation of the skin that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and red
spots usually called "pimples" or "zits." Androgens, hormones that are
secreted in different amounts by both men and women, play a huge role in
most cases of acne. Androgens stimulate the hormone-sensitive sebaceous
glands, which produce oil known as sebum. Sebum, in turn, has been labeled
as "the fuel that feeds the flame of acne."
Teens are more likely to suffer from breakouts because at the onset of
puberty, their bodies begin to produce androgens. These "male" hormones are
a natural part of development for both boys and girls, but boys tend to
produce more of them, resulting in more severe breakouts. After about age
20, sebum production begins to decrease but it can flare up again at any
age.
Due to the presence of androgens, your oil glands go into overdrive. They
produce extra oil, which block your follicles and clump together with the
dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin. When this sticky mixture
works its way into your pores, it acts just like a cork in a bottle --
trapping oil and bacteria inside. Unfortunately, your oil glands cannot
determine when to stop so they keep producing oil thus making the follicle
swollen. Your body's natural defense system -- white blood cells -- rush to
the area to produce an enzyme that damages the wall of the follicle,
allowing the contents of the follicle to enter the dermis. This process
causes an inflammatory response that results in either red, painful bumps
(papules); blackheads and whiteheads (comedones); pimples or acne. Contrary
to common belief, this condition has nothing to do with what you eat, or how
often you wash your face.
Dermatologists point out that dietary factors neither cause nor cure acne.
In almost all cases, the food you eat has almost nothing to do with your
acne, except for those containing iodine and muscle-enhancing steroids. If
you ingest a large amount of iodine like mineral pills, your acne will
likely flare up. Steroids have also been known to cause a type of acne
referred to as steroid acne.
Hormones affect acne but having acne is not a sign of a hormonal imbalance.
Changes in hormones, such as the specific point in your menstrual cycle
(ovulation vs. having your period), pregnancy, or menopause all are normal,
yet all can cause dramatic changes in your skin condition.
Female hormone levels change and vary throughout the monthly cycle. These
fluctuations do cause acne to flare and diminish depending on the time of
the month. The most effective way to treat menstrual cycle acne is to treat
the acne itself by applying topical medications, oral antibiotics, or even
changing or adjusting a birth control pill since the hormones found in these
contraceptives are also related to flare-ups of acne.
Several symptoms can help your dermatologist identify hormonally-influenced
acne: adult-onset acne, or breakouts that appear for the first time in
adults; acne flare-ups preceding the menstrual cycle; a history of irregular
menstrual cycles, increased facial oiliness; Hirsutism (excessive growth of
hair, or hair in unusual places); and elevated levels of certain androgens
in the blood stream.
How the skin works
Can you imagine how we would look if we do not have skin covering us up?
That may be too gross for our imagination.
The skin is the largest vital organ of the human body. It covers you up,
keeps you warm and keeps you cool. It also decides what can be absorbed and
what should be rejected.
Skin that is clogged and unhealthy is not just a beauty problem. It can
become a hindrance to your sense of vitality and wellness. Proper care of
your skin is important not only to your personal sense of beauty but also to
proper elimination, more graceful aging and overall health.
It acts as a mechanical barrier to infections. It ultimately prevents
microorganisms and other substances from entering the body.
Langerhans cells (a type of macrophage) are found within the dermis, they
engulf invaders foreign to the body and debris.
Keratin layers in the epidermis together with sebum produced by sebaceous
glands act as a waterproof barrier.
Melanocytes protect the body from ultraviolet light.
Finger and toenails protect the extremities of fingers and toes from damage.
Fingertips are important for dexterity and the sense of touch; they have
ridged areas to assist in picking things up.
Hair follicles offer some extra protection to certain parts of the body such
as eyes and head.
It regulates body temperature. Considerable heat is lost through the skin.
Even under extreme conditions of high temperature and exercise, our skin
tends to make body temperature normal. The production (evaporation) of sweat
in the skin cools us down when exposed to too much heat.
The core body temperature needs to be kept constant for normal physiological
activity to take place (37° C). It needs to maintain a core temperature for
homeostasis.
Skin excretes waste product and excess salt from the body. Sweat includes
waste products in solution. Water is lost continuously through the skin as
insensible sweating. More pronounced water loss through sweating occurs as
part of temperature regulation.
Skin provides the sense of touch or sensation we need to know more about our
outside environment through recognizing heat, cold, pain and other
sensations. Nerve endings of the skin provide the body with a great deal of
information about the outside environment.
Skin synthesizes the use of Vitamin D in the presence of sunlight and ultra
violet radiation needed for the absorption of calcium and phosphate.
So take care of your skin. No other organ in our body would perform these
functions for you.
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