Hormonal Triggers

For teenagers especially hormonal triggered acne is very distressing because it is at this very sensitive stage in life that teenagers are susceptible to pier pressure and the affects of the media in terms of setting the bar for perceived beauty and the idea that beauty is skin deep. As teenagers are more aware of the pressures of striving for protection that is unrealistic. Pop stars and movie and T.V icons are air brushed for magazines to look picture perfect giving unfair and totally unrealistic expectations that will never be reached.


Hormonal fluctuation is commonly associated with Acne breakouts the male hormones or Androgens are the culprit testosterone is an enzyme A is needed for the sex hormone synthesis where the body is deficient and the body uses up the stores of the enzyme for the sex hormones to develop the way they should. The Enzyme is obtained through the diet or in natural supplements. Vitamin B 5 or (Vitamin D-Calcium Pantothenate) in collaboration with Vitamin C and B 12 are essential for the breakdown of fatty acids protein and carbohydrates.


This is probably the simplest way to explain the deficiency of Vitamin B5 as the body cannot store it unlike D, A, C and K. Foods rich in the natural enzyme are Soya beans, yogurt and sweet potatoes are good for vitamin 5 restoration. Vitamin B deficiency is evident in the from of acne, fatigue, depression, heart palpitations, high blood pressure and inadequate transmission of brain signals, colds, flu. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies affect the whole body and the external result is often Cystic Acne, Nodular Acne and Pustule Acne.


Women affected by hormonal changes report breakouts of Acne around their menstrual cycle as well as those women who are pre-menopausal early menopausal or in the menopause. Over secretions of the sebaceous glands due to the bodies reaction to Vitamin deficiency with low immunity to infections cause cystic acne bacterial infections numbness tingling in the finger and toes, pins and needles or feelings of restlessness fatigue mood swings, and brain fog are all to familiar to most women.



The Menopause

The symptoms of the menopause are night sweats, hot flashes, irritability mood swings feelings of being over powered, fatigue, headaches migraines, joint pains, thinning of the hair ,vaginal dryness, loss of libido, drying of the skin, nails splitting, osteoporosis, heavy or light periods followed by a 12 month absence of a period. The essential vitamins and minerals that are deficient in the body can often mimic the symptoms of menopause for women who are in their late 30’s who wouldn’t necessarily attribute these symptoms to early or pre menopause.


Early menopause happens in the late 20’s to 30’s where as pre-menopause occurs in the early 40’s. symptoms like bloating raise in body temperature hormonal acne mood swings are similar to those experienced by women in mid- menstrual cycles and pregnant women. The majority of women don’t know they are lacking in essential vitamins and magnesium, zinc, potassium or niacin. All of the latter vitamins and minerals are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and the proper functioning of the skin cells and membranes.



Medical Conditions that affect Acne

Hormone , Environmental, Hereditary as well as Genetic factors are all responsible for the various trigger influences and the ability of the body to react to infection internally or externally.POS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is common among girls and women a staggering one in ten women will suffer from this syndrome. This condition is a hormone imbalance that causes acne irregular periods and growth of hair follicles. Signs of this condition are Acne, irregular periods, weight gain or difficulty losing weight and pigmentation on the skin.


Insulin levels that fluctuate due to high levels in the pancreas cause excess testosterone levels by the ovaries. Higher levels of testosterone the male hormone mean extra sebum production excess oil on the skin in conjunction with dead skin cells becoming trapped in the hair extra follicle the result is Cystic, Nodular or Pustule acne. Cystic acne is probably the most painful and leave prolonged scaring due to the depth of the tissue damage when popped, squeezes or picked



A Healthy Diet and Exercise

Although there is no proven correlation between food and acne there are a large percentage of adults and teens alike that will tell you thy are fairly healthy in terms of diet until certain time of the month this especially affects hormonal women of all ages. High glycemic sugary and full fat or processed foods are often craved after before an acne breakout. High glycemic foods will give a quick release of sugar and alter blood sugar levels in turn give a sugar boot that progesterone levels have decreased.



Progesterone and Estrogen Triggers

Estrogen fluctuation will cause extra brain activity which can lead to hypertension a and migraines as well as mild depression and mood changes. A healthy diet with low sugar low fat and reduction in dairy especially milk will ease hormonal imbalances hence easing the acne symptoms. Exercise has a mood altering affect on the mind as well as the body by releasing happy betendorphins. Gentle exercise 3 times weekly will make you look and feel better. Chocolate and high fat foods will raise endorphins and serotonin levels in the brain.


Certain Vitamins and minerals like B Vitamin 6 Vitamin A and E will help with the breakdown of fatty acids and carbohydrates in the body. To level blood sugar you should limit your sugary and fat or highly processed foods and have 3 small meals of low glycemic foods. Eating a little less more often will l release energy slowly and avoid cravings. Calcium, magnesium Iron as well as complex Vitamin B will help to lower blood sugar levels relaxes the muscles support the immune system and antioxidant protection. A little of what you fancy does you no harm all things in moderation.



Genetic Triggers

Some experts will tell you that the only factors that influence Acne are primarily and singularly genetic. Why it is some people get acne and others don’t some family members will be acne free and others will have severe breakouts. Twins with the same genetic makeup will experience about 80% difference in same skin conditions. When the skin is affected by acne that is cystic the affect of the inflammation will have different effects on different skin types.


When the skin over secrets oil and is blocked by dead skin cells the bacteria builds as the body tries to fight the infection. Your genetic make-up makes you predisposed to certain conditions and subsequent influences. The state of your health overall will determine the level of acne breakout the reoccurrence and the severity of the acne. Environmental influences such as pollution toxins irritants in (non-comedegenic) cosmetics hair and skin products, humidity mould air pollution central heating.


Food allergies genetically modified products insecticides, crop spraying, water pollution clothing manufacturing, climate change, medication like steroids, lithium, iodine some estrogen and progesterone pills, an immunity of some bacteria to antibiotics stress overwork depression poor diet, immune malfunction to normal body and household mites and insects all of the above are a new phenomenon when it comes to dealing with skin conditions like inflames or non-inflamed acne.



You Can Change the Hand You Are Dealt

Diet management of stress life style choices in terms of alcohol cigarettes and exercise will influence the body’s capability to fight infection and deter the onset of some infections. The skin is the biggest organ on the body and understandable will be affected by external but more importantly internal influences. Acne is the body’s way of telling you than there is something wrong internally and the skin is the last visible i9ndication of deficiency or internal upheaval.


Anti-inflammatory drugs Anti-androgens that reduce the production of excess oil to inhibit the blocking of the sebaceous follicles preventing bacterial build up in the first instance. Medications as well as nutritional supplements will replace vitamins and mineral decencies and help to prevent inflammation and exfoliate dead skin and encourage collagen production. Be mindful of medical and cosmetic solutions as you should always get the correct medical advice preferably from a dermatologist.


Oral or topical antibiotics can cause problems in themselves so a balance of the severity of the condition and the reported results and side affects will need to be balanced. Oral antibiotics topical treatments like Benzol Peroxide Salicylic Acid will destroy the bacteria and exfoliate the skin. Natural and home remedies like aloe Vera green tea, dandelion, tee-tree oil, sandalwood, rosewood, witch hazel, citric fruit extracts, peppermint, sage, turmeric, cider vinegar are just some of the naturally based products for cleansing and rejuvenation.


Essential oils like the gold comparison Helichrysum italicum oil, natural vitamin E oil Rosemary and so on have proven beneficial properties for the skin and skin rejuvenation and replenishment. A healthy attitude to mind and body a realistic attitude to treatments a non biased view to natural treatments and the mind set to over come the emotional upset of severs acne will steer you on the road to successfully treating your Trigger Acne Condition.