Let’s Talk About: Hormonal Imbalances
How it can affect your skin
How it can affect your skin
By Vira Anekboonyapirom •
As teenagers, our pimples were accepted as a fact of life – blackheads, whiteheads, acne and everything in between was simply put down to our teenage hormones.
But when the same angry inflamed bumps followed us into adulthood, we can thank our hormonal imbalances for their unwelcomed appearance.
Did you know our hormones are a major player when it comes to our skin concerns? Not only can you suffer from fatigue and weight gain, but our skin can also suffer from acne, dry skin and rosacea to name a few.
We spoke to Award-winning Dermatologist, Dr Shyamalar Gunatheeson, to find out how our hormones can affect our skin in adulthood and what the best ways to address them are.
Our hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system and released into the bloodstream. An imbalance occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone.
Other than aging resulting in hormonal deficiencies, having too much or too little of a hormone can also be from our “Natural fluctuation such as during the menstrual cycle or there can be an underlying medical condition such as polycystic ovarian syndrome or pituitary disorder,” Dr Shyamalar tells us.
Experts explain to us that the most common situation faced is the genetic sensitivity to a ‘normal’ level of male hormones (androgens).
“This results in excessive oil production by oil glands, oil gland over-growth and blockage i.e. acne.”
They continue to explain that by having an ‘abnormally’ high level of androgens, you can also “exhibit signs and symptoms of acne, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), loss of hair on the head (androgenic alopecia) and excessive oiliness.”
Patients with an ‘abnormally’ high level of androgens “must be investigated for underlying causes… such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome amongst others.”
There are many factors that prove to be paramount to regulating our hormones, these include:
Dr Shyamalar suggests including the below in your routine:
Day
Night
Always seek advice from your local practitioner, Endocrinologist and/or Dermatologist as your best course of action.
Targeted solutions and tailored treatments are offered to fulfil individual concerns of every age. This transcends into a guardianship of long-term, personal wellbeing and an amplification of the skin's innate intelligence.
