How do you diagnose hormonal acne?

While it's best to see a trusted doctor to determine if you have hormonal acne, there are a few things you can look out for to self-diagnose it. Here's what Dr Joshi said:

Now onto the part that anyone with hormonal acne wants to know about: how TF do you fix it?

"Treatment is similar to that in adolescence," Dr Joshi explained. "However, due to persistence, more aggressive treatments and a combination of treatments may be needed to get it under control even for relatively mild symptoms."

"By the time I see patients with persistent acne, they have usually tried various over-the-counter products, they may have been to salons for facials and other treatments, some of which may have made the acne worse, and may contribute to scarring andpigmentation."

Dr Joshi explained that because acne is a medical disease, treatment options need to be medical.

She suggests a combination of topical prescription medication, oral medication (for a period of time), and a personalised, usually basic, skincare regimen.

Listen to Mamamia's podcast for your face, You Beauty. Post continues after audio.

"You can speed up the process by adding a series of in-clinic treatments if you wish but it will take on average three to six months minimum to begin tosee results," she said.

With that being said, Dr Joshi suggests saving your time and money and going straight for a skin consultation with a trusted doctor to obtain personalised advice and prescription medication, if appropriate.

"Treatment is time-consuming and depending on what is involved, may be costly, but the alternative means that acne continues to persist and cause unwanted side effects such as scarring and pigmentation that will also need to be addressed at some point,with added time and cost," she said.

"See a doctor who understands acne and save yourself time, money and the heartache of complications, and have realistic expectations," Dr Joshi said.

"The longer people leave it, thinking it will go away, or trying a variety of different over-the-counter things, the longer the disease is percolating under the surface and the longer it takes to rein it in and the chances of complications such as scarringand pigmentation.

"Treatment takes time, which is the single biggest thing I tell patients. And relapses are common if life gets in the way and they drop the ball."

Feature Image: Getty/Canva/Mamamia.

Excerpt from:
Struggling with hormonal acne and how to fix it? A skin expert shares her best advice. - Mamamia

Comments are closed.