To reduce testosterone-related acne, consider using topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Testosterone can increase sebum production in the skin, leading to clogged pores and acne. "Testosterone can increase oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores and acne. This is particularly common during puberty, hormonal changes, or when using testosterone therapy. It’s difficult to treat hormonal acne without stabilizing your hormone levels. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits may help keep your testosterone levels balanced. Polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to elevated testosterone levels in women. They found that 72 percent of the women with acne had excess androgen hormones, including testosterone. In one study, researchers looked at the hormone levels of 207 women between the ages of 18 and 45 years old with acne. Many people experience frequent acne breakouts during puberty when testosterone levels start to rise. Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as testosterone, can cause acne. If a woman has too much testosterone in her body, she may begin to notice changes to her physical appearance. High levels of testosterone in females may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal tumors, ovarian tumors, or hermaphroditism (having both female and male sex organs). Both males and females produce testosterone in their bodies, but males typically have much higher levels of it. Your provider is there to support you in all aspects of your health. If symptoms of low testosterone are interfering with your quality of life, know that you don’t have to just grin and bear it. If you stop taking testosterone, your levels will return to baseline. This is because if your symptoms don’t improve, your testosterone level may not be the cause of your symptom. Another study published in the Pan African Medical Journal in 2022 compared hormone levels in 70 females with acne and 70 females without acne. The next study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1996, also looked at the effects of giving testosterone to healthy men. The researchers found that half of the men in the study developed acne as a side effect of the testosterone, and that the acne cleared up after the testosterone treatment ended. At the beginning of the study, the average amount of total testosterone in their blood was 16.4nmol/l, which is approximately in the middle of the normal range for healthy men. A third study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 1994, set out to investigate the effects of giving healthy men high doses of testosterone. The researchers noted that the castrated men produced less skin oil than healthy men and did not have acne. By understanding the complex interplay between TRT and acne, individuals can take proactive steps to minimize breakouts and maintain healthy skin. Managing acne during Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the underlying hormonal imbalances and the visible symptoms of acne. Armed with this knowledge, individuals can take proactive steps to minimize acne breakouts and maintain healthy skin.
