Most women of a certain age know the familiar symptoms associated with menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, dark facial hair, irritability, anxiety and frequent urination. The physical and emotional toll of menopause challenges many women on a daily basis. However, another little-known symptom of menopause causes equal concern and frustration. Acne during menopause can rival that of adolescent outbreaks.
Types
Acne, a skin disorder affecting teens and adults, typically begins with the onset of puberty. The Mayo Clinic classifies acne lesions as blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules among others. These solid or pus-filled blemishes often occur on the face and in serious cases develop on other areas of the upper body.
Features
According to Acne.org, blackheads consist of open pores filled with darkened, hardened sebum. Whiteheads, recognized as swollen white bumps, result from clogged follicles. Papules occur when a blocked pore releases into surrounding tissue, producing redness and inflammation. Pustules, the most painful and embarrassing type of acne pimple, form when a papule becomes infected and fills with pus.
Causes
A woman’s changing hormonal landscape culminates with menopause. During perimenopause, the years leading into menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. Levels of androgen, the male sex hormones present in small amounts, remain constant. This hormonal imbalance and dominance of male hormones, particularly testosterone, during menopause often triggers acne.
As testosterone levels increase, sebaceous glands tend to overproduce oil. Aging skin also experiences a slowdown in cell regeneration. The excess sebum in combination with the buildup of dead skin cells clogs pores, leading to infection and swelling.
Prevention
MotherNature.com shares the following tips to avoid adult acne outbreaks:
Avoid deep-pore cleansers with scrubbing granules. Harsh abrasive soaps can aggravate and worsen acne.
Cleansing the skin with a mild facial soap twice daily adequately removes sebum and skin cell buildup. A fragrance-free cleanser without additives and preservatives provides the best results.
Do not use oil-based makeup or lotions. Foundations containing oils cling to the follicle walls, causing additional clogging. A water-based foundation labeled as noncomedogenic is effective for acne-prone skin. Steer clear of face creams and lotions containing petroleum jelly, lanolin, mineral oil, coconut oil or cocoa butter.
Use cotton pads to apply pressed powder and blush. Bacteria adhere to reusable pad applicators and can contaminate face powders. Apply liquid foundation with disposable sponges.
Treatment
As with adolescent acne, topical, over-the-counter medications treat mild menopausal acne. The website DermaTalk cites products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to target blemishes by killing bacteria or drying up blemishes, respectively. Non-prescription antibiotic creams reduce inflammation, speed healing and minimize scarring.
Consider cosmetic treatments and topical medications containing alpha hydroxy acid to treat blackheads and small pimples. AHAs exfoliate by removing layers of dead keratin cells from the skin surface. They also reduce scarring and red pigmentation caused by acne lesions.
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