Acne can take various forms and affect people of all ages. That said, when it comes to achieving clear, healthy skin, one crucial factor to consider is knowing your acne type. Although acne is a common skin condition, many might still be unaware of the distinct differences between hormonal acne and regular acne. While they may seem similar at first glance, understanding the differences between the two is crucial for effective treatment.
Read on as we explore the characteristics, causes, and methods to distinguish between hormonal acne and regular acne.
What is hormonal acne?
Before exploring the differences, it is important to understand what hormonal acne means. Hormonal acne is a specific type of acne that occurs due to fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly androgens like testosterone. These hormones can stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin, leading to increased oil production. Excess oil, along with dead skin cells and bacteria, can clog hair follicles and result in acne breakouts.
Hormonal acne often appears as deep, painful pimples, blackheads, whiteheads or cysts on the lower face, jawline, and neck. It commonly affects adults aged 20 – 50 years old, women during their menstrual cycle, and individuals experiencing hormonal imbalances.
Causes of hormonal acne
The primary cause of hormonal acne is, as the name suggests, hormonal fluctuations. During puberty, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes, leading to increased oil production and acne breakouts. In women, hormonal acne can also be triggered by menstruation, pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and menopause. Furthermore, hormonal imbalances, stress, and certain medications can worsen hormonal acne symptoms.
Causes of regular acne
On the other hand, regular acne – also known as non-hormonal acne, is typically caused by a combination of factors such as excess oil production, clogged pores, inflammation, and bacterial activity. Unlike hormonal acne, regular acne can affect people of all ages and genders. Common triggers for regular acne include genetics, poor skincare habits, excessive sweating, and exposure to environmental pollutants. Diet can also play a role, with high-glycemic foods and dairy products sometimes contributing to acne breakouts.
How to distinguish between hormonal acne and regular acne
Distinguishing between hormonal acne and regular acne can be challenging, as both types share common symptoms like blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed pimples. However, some key differences can help identify the underlying cause of the breakouts.
- Response to treatment
Traditional over-the-counter acne medications may not be effective for hormonal acne. Seeking professional guidance from an acne treatment clinic is crucial in such cases. In contrast, regular acne can often be effectively managed with topical treatments containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
- Location of acne
The location of your acne can also help to determine its type. Hormonal acne predominantly appears on the lower face, jawline, and neck. Regular acne, on the other hand, can occur on various parts of the face, chest, and back.
- Type of acne lesions
Hormonal acne often manifests as deep, cystic pimples that are painful to the touch. On the other hand, regular acne, while also including pustules and papules, may not be as severely inflamed as hormonal acne lesions.
- Timing of breakouts
Hormonal acne is often cyclical and tends to flare up before or during menstruation. It can also worsen during times of stress or hormonal changes. Regular acne breakouts may not follow a specific pattern and can occur randomly.
- Underlying health conditions
Hormonal acne can be associated with underlying health conditions such as PCOS or hormonal imbalances. If acne persists despite proper skincare and lifestyle changes, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to rule out any hormonal issues.
Understanding the distinction between hormonal acne and regular acne is essential for implementing an effective skincare regimen and seeking appropriate medical advice. By paying attention to the factors stated above, individuals can better understand the underlying cause of their acne and make informed decisions about their treatments. If acne persists or worsens, consulting a dermatologist is crucial to receive personalised guidance and achieve clear, healthy skin.
APAX Medical & Aesthetics Clinic is equipped with experienced skincare specialists to address your acne-related concerns, including acne scar removal treatments. Consider visiting our Hougang aesthetic clinic situated not far from Kovan MRT station or our Woodlands aesthetics medical clinic near Bukit Panjang MRT and say goodbye to your acne-related concerns once and for all.
Vimelea vinaweza kuwa na maumbo mbalimbali na vinaweza kuwaathiri watu wa umri wote. Kwa hivyo, wakati wa kupata ngozi safi na yenye afya, ni muhimu kujua aina yako ya vimelea. Ingawa acne ni ugonjwa wa ngozi wa kawaida, wengi huenda bado hawajui tofauti kati ya acne ya homoni na acne ya kawaida. Ingawa huenda zikaonekana kuwa sawa kwa mara ya kwanza, ni muhimu kuelewa tofauti kati ya matibabu hayo mawili ili yatumike. Soma juu ya jinsi tunavyochunguza sifa, visababishi, na mbinu za kutofautisha kati ya acne ya homoni na acne ya kawaida. Uvimbe wa homoni ni nini? Kabla ya kuchunguza tofauti hizo, ni muhimu kuelewa maana ya mchochota wa homoni. Acne ya homoni ni aina ya acne ambayo hutokea kutokana na mabadiliko ya viwango vya homoni, hasa androgens kama testosterone. Homoni hizo zinaweza kuchochea tezi za mafuta katika ngozi, na hivyo kuongeza utengenezaji wa mafuta. Mafuta mengi, pamoja na chembe za ngozi zilizokufa na bakteria, yanaweza kuziba nyuzinyuzi za nywele na kusababisha kuvu. Mara nyingi, ugonjwa wa kukohoa hutokea kama vidonda vya kina kirefu, vyenye maumivu, vidonda vya rangi nyeusi, vidonda vya rangi nyeupe, au vidonda kwenye sehemu ya chini ya uso, taya, na shingo. Kwa kawaida huathiri watu wazima wenye umri wa miaka 20 hadi 50, wanawake wakati wa mzunguko wao wa hedhi, na watu wanaokabiliwa na ukosefu wa usawa wa homoni. Sababu za kukua kwa akini ya homoni - Kama jina linavyodokeza, sababu kuu ya kukua kwa akini ya homoni ni mabadiliko ya homoni. Wakati wa kubalehe, mwili hupitia mabadiliko makubwa ya homoni, na kusababisha ongezeko la uzalishaji wa mafuta na kuibuka kwa mkojo. Katika wanawake, ugonjwa wa kukohoa wa homoni unaweza pia kusababishwa na hedhi, ujauzito, ugonjwa wa ovari ya polycystic (PCOS), na kukoma kwa hedhi. Isitoshe, kutofautiana kwa homoni, mkazo, na dawa fulani zaweza kuzidisha dalili za mkojo wa homoni. Kwa upande mwingine, acne ya kawaida, pia inajulikana kama acne isiyo ya homoni, kwa kawaida husababishwa na mchanganyiko wa sababu kama vile uzalishaji wa mafuta kupita kiasi, pores zilizofungwa, uvimbe, na shughuli za bakteria. Tofauti na mzio wa homoni, mzio wa kawaida waweza kuathiri watu wa umri wote na wa jinsia zote. Vitu vinavyoweza kusababisha kuvuja kwa kawaida ni pamoja na chembe za urithi, mazoea mabaya ya kutunza ngozi, kuota jasho kupita kiasi, na kuathiriwa na vichafuzi vya mazingira. Chakula pia kinaweza kuchangia, kwa kuwa nyakati nyingine vyakula vyenye kiwango cha juu cha sukari mwilini na bidhaa za maziwa huchangia kuibuka kwa mkojo. Jinsi ya kutofautisha acne ya homoni na acne ya kawaida Kutofautisha kati ya acne ya homoni na acne ya kawaida inaweza kuwa changamoto, kwani aina zote mbili zinashiriki dalili za kawaida kama blackheads, whiteheads, na pimples zilizojaa. Hata hivyo, tofauti fulani muhimu zaweza kusaidia kutambua kisababishi cha kuvunjika kwa ngozi. - Jibu kwa matibabu Dawa za kawaida za acne zisizopatikana kwa dawa za dawa za kulevya haziwezi kuwa na ufanisi kwa acne ya homoni. Katika visa kama hivyo, ni muhimu kutafuta mwongozo wa kitaalamu kutoka kwa kliniki ya kutibu vimelea. Kwa upande mwingine, mara nyingi ugonjwa wa vimelea unaweza kushughulikiwa kwa ufanisi kwa matibabu ya mahali hapo yenye viungo kama vile benzoyl peroxide au asidi ya salicylic. - Mahali pa mchochota Mahali pa mchochota wako pia chaweza kusaidia kuamua aina yake. Matatizo ya homoni huonekana hasa kwenye sehemu ya chini ya uso, taya, na shingo. Kwa upande mwingine, mkojo wa kawaida waweza kutokea katika sehemu mbalimbali za uso, kifua, na mgongo. - Aina ya vidonda vya vimelea Vimelea vya homoni mara nyingi huonekana kama vidonda vya kina kirefu vya cystic ambavyo ni vyenye kuumiza kugusa. Kwa upande mwingine, mkojo wa kawaida, ingawa pia hutia ndani pustules na papules, huenda usiwe na uvimbe mkubwa kama mkojo wa homoni. - Wakati wa kuibuka kwa mkojo wa homoni Mara nyingi mkojo wa homoni ni wa mzunguko na huelekea kuwaka kabla au wakati wa hedhi. Pia inaweza kuzidi kuwa mbaya wakati wa mfadhaiko au mabadiliko ya homoni. Huenda dalili za mkojo zisizokuwa za kawaida zisiwe na utaratibu fulani na ziweze kutokea kwa nasibu. - Hali za afya za msingi Acne ya homoni inaweza kuhusishwa na hali za afya za msingi kama vile PCOS au ukosefu wa usawa wa homoni. Ikiwa mkojo unadumu licha ya utunzaji sahihi wa ngozi na mabadiliko ya mtindo wa maisha, inashauriwa kushauriana na mtaalamu wa utunzaji wa afya ili kuondoa matatizo yoyote ya homoni. Kuelewa tofauti kati ya acne ya homoni na acne ya kawaida ni muhimu kwa kutekeleza utaratibu mzuri wa utunzaji wa ngozi na kutafuta ushauri sahihi wa matibabu. Kwa kuzingatia mambo yaliyotajwa hapo juu, watu wanaweza kuelewa vizuri sababu ya msingi ya acne yao na kufanya maamuzi ya ufahamu kuhusu matibabu yao. Ikiwa acne inabaki au inazidi kuwa mbaya, kushauriana na daktari wa ngozi ni muhimu ili kupokea mwongozo wa kibinafsi na kufikia ngozi safi na yenye afya. APAX Medical & Aesthetics Clinic ina wataalamu wa huduma ya ngozi wenye uzoefu ili kushughulikia wasiwasi wako unaohusiana na acne, ikiwa ni pamoja na matibabu ya kuondoa makovu ya acne. Tembelea kliniki yetu ya aesthetic ya Hougang, iliyoko karibu na kituo cha Kovan MRT, au kliniki yetu ya matibabu ya aesthetics ya Woodlands, karibu na Bukit Panjang MRT, na uondoke mara moja kwa wasiwasi wako unaohusiana na vimelea.