Acne is not a life threatening disease; however, the psychological affects can be life altering. Women are more affected by acne than men. Puberty, pregnancy, the menstrual cycle and menopause are very hormonal times in a women's life. During puberty, women have an increase in the male sex hormones called androgens. This causes the glands to increase in size and make more sebum. Too much sebum clogs pores, which leads to acne. For women, especially teenage girls, acne and pimples can be very devastating.



In today's society a lot of peer pressure is put on girls and women to look a certain way. Acne can be a very depressing sight. It can lead to low self esteem, body image issues and depression. Luckily most forms of acne can be treated or even prevented. Dermatologists have many medications they can recommend or prescribe to help get acne under control. The best form of acne prevention is to take good care of your skin. Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Wash your hair on a regular basis, especially if it is oily. Don't squeeze or pick at lesions, this can lead to scars. Don't get sunburned. Although many people think the sun helps improve acne, it only evens out the skin and makes the acne look better for a short period of time. The sun can damage your skin and cause signs of early aging. Choose make-ups that are non-comedogenic, meaning the products are made to help reduce the clogging of pores. Avoid things that rub the skin too much, as the contact and irritation can lead to acne. As always, your dermatologist can assist you in choosing the right medication for your skin, weather it is over the counter, a prescription, a topical ointment or an oral medication. Treatment is available and women of all ages should not have the embarrassment of pimples and acne.

For severe acne that may have caused scarring there are treatments available to remove the scars. Dermabrasion is a popular treatment that can remove surface scars and reduce the depth of scars. For women in their childbearing years and who are able to handle hormone therapies, certain birth control pills may help reduce acne by reducing sebum production. Some research indicates that losing weight may help reduce acne. If you are overweight, losing five to ten pounds may make a big difference. As always, exercise and a good diet can help. Acne does not have to be a problem anymore; there are numerous treatment options to help from the occasional outbreak to severe acne.