Menopausal Acne: What it is, Causes, Treatments and Natural Remedies

Have you just reached menopause? You may have noticed acne on your face fear not, as it is one of the 34 symptoms of menopause. If that’s the case, you must be wondering: How long does menopause acne last? Or, how can you treat this condition? Relax! You will find all your answers here.

You are not the only one going through such changes. Menopause acne may have caused you a lot of trouble, but you need not worry because this blog will get you all covered by letting you know more about the causes and treatments available. Moreover, you will learn how long menopause acne lasts. Let’s dig into it together!

What is Menopausal Acne?

Menopausal acne is the kind of acne that occurs in women when they are about to reach the end of their reproductive years. Menopause normally occurs in the late 40s or early 50s. According to a 2021 study, 38% of UK women first experienced menopause symptoms between the ages of 46 and 50.

Acne is certainly a prevalent problem in teenagers; in some cases, it also interrupts the lives of adults, but when acne disturbs your comfort at the time you are no longer menstruating, it is menopausal acne. This is when the hormonal production of oestrogen and progesterone decreases and the hormone androgen (a male hormone) increases. 

What does Menopausal Acne look like?

Blemishes from menopausal acne are similar to the acne of the teenage years. They come across as small black spots on the skin’s surface. They may also emerge as bumps with whiteheads. Pimples may be red at the skin’s base due to skin lesions or any surrounding breakouts.

What Causes Menopause Acne?

Hormonal changes that occur during menopause are the major cause of acne. The rise of the androgen hormone can cause increased production of the skin’s natural oil (sebum), which gets mixed up with bacteria, debris, and dead cells to clog skin pores and form acne. The blocked pores may hurt the skin in both swelling and non-swelling ways through blackheads (dark blemishes), pustules, whiteheads, and cysts. The T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and jawline typically exhibit menopausal acne.

Genetics, nutritional deficiencies, and stress do play a role in menopausal acne. High levels of iodine in supplements may also cause acne during menopause. Smoking, alcohol intake, and polycystic ovary syndrome are some other causes of this type of acne. Treatment of menopausal acne is challenging due to ageing’s decreased regeneration ability and delay in healing. But how long does menopause acne last? We still need to find that out.

What Triggers Acne During Menopause? 

Just like all other conditions, some factors trigger menopausal acne. According to the International Journal of Women’s Health, the following can trigger your acne during menopause:

• Diet
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Sun/ultraviolet ray exposure
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Certain medications
• Genetics
• Skin-care products
• Issues with the skin’s protective layer
• Hormonal fluctuations

How Long Does Menopause Acne Last?

Perimenopausal acne, or acne that occurs before menopause, usually persists longer, even if you had your last period a year before. However, the duration varies from person to person. This type of acne is not severe and does not cause much trouble, as it eventually clears up after your hormones balance out. Postmenopausal acne tapers off gradually after some time. Since menopause affects each woman in her way, the acne that comes with it can be different for everyone.

How to Treat Menopausal Acne Naturally?

Now that you have learned how long menopause acne lasts, why not discover some natural fixes?

Previous studies on menopausal acne indicate the following natural ways to treat it:

• Consuming a nutritious diet
• Avoiding foods with high sugar content 
• Leaving off dairy products (for example, milk and cheese).
• Taking vitamin D supplements 
• Trying green tea extracts 
• Getting a good night’s sleep
• Exercising daily
• Staying hydrated
• Removing oil-based cosmetics
• Using skincare products recommended by your dermatologist
• Not popping off your pimples
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress.

After learning how long menopause acne lasts, let’s learn what treatment options can help control it. 

Traditional Treatments For Menopausal Acne

1. Oral Antibiotics

For acne that is constant or inflamed, antibiotics may work fine for short-term use. These medicines may reduce acne by simply fighting bacteria and inflammation. Long-term uses may cause significant side effects and thus need to be avoided.

2. Retinoids

Retinoids like adapalene and tretinoin, along with retinol, are effective in treating acne and hyperpigmentation. These topical gels or creams control your skin’s oil production and unclog pores. Doctors may prescribe oral isotretinoin for severe acne.

3. Spironolactone 

It is the last treatment choice for doctors when other medications do not work on menopause acne. Its anti-androgen properties help with acne.

4. Hormone replacement therapy 

Menopausal acne sometimes responds well to HRT treatment. This therapy involves taking medications that replace the hormones your body is no longer producing enough of during menopause, like oestrogen and progesterone. By balancing these hormones, HRT can help regulate oil production in the skin, which can reduce acne outbreaks.

5. Medical facials

Facials that include medicated stuff or hydrafacial help to remove dead skin cells, debris, and excessive skin oil from the pores and provide deep cleansing.

6. Chemical Peels

The type of chemical skin peel used for this procedure simply depends on the patient’s acne severity and skin type. This removes the top layer of your skin and unclogs pores for new skin to regenerate.

7. Active cleansers

Using cleansers that contain anti-microbial and benzoyl peroxide to wash your face may help. Such active cleansers help remove any bacteria or other microorganisms growing on your skin and prevent 

8. Laser therapy

Laser therapy penetrates deeper into the skin, exfoliating it. This may cause bacteria to die eventually, leading to an increase in collagen production. In this way, your skin’s texture improves.

Final Word

Menopausal acne may not be common in many people, but it is still a threat to women who are about to cross that certain age of menopause. This whole process becomes even more distressing when its symptoms arise. The main symptom may not be acne in all cases, but it typically affects a woman when something in the body is not right. Hormonal imbalances may be the most common cause. This reason triggers the natural skin’s oil production, with many other risk factors playing a role while your body is undergoing a transition. Menopausal acne either starts forming before menopause or just after menopause,  but how long does menopausal acne last? It depends on the treatment you’re receiving to get rid of it. Researchers have found that medical treatments like antibiotics, spironolactone, and hormone replacement therapy are the most effective in treating menopausal acne.

FAQs About Menopausal Acne: