• Question: Do hormones cause spots

    Asked by imamidget to Amy, Craig, Laura, Partha, Saffron on 22 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Saffron Whitehead

      Saffron Whitehead answered on 22 Jun 2015:

      Yes. The hormone changes during puberty can cause spots hence the term teenage spots. For some poor people, few though, can be scarred for life. Androgens (the male hormones) as well as the stress hormone cortisol can also cause acne when they are released in excessive amounts.

    • Photo: Laura Wales

      Laura Wales answered on 23 Jun 2015:

      The sebaceous glands (usually attached to hair follicles and secrete oily stuff) are particularly sensitive to hormones. It’s thought that increased levels of testosterone cause the glands to produce much more sebum (oily stuff) than the skin needs.

      Sometimes, girls can take the contraceptive pill to treat acne.

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