Madeeha Syed

Hormonal acne is common during puberty because of body changes. Fluctuations in progesterone and cortisol may cause hormonal acne in adults.

What is Hormonal Acne?

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What Is Hormonal Acne?

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Iqra Mazhar

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Sunscreens: SPF Explained!

Introduction

<p>SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the measuring factor for protection from the sun’s UVB rays. SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, and SPF 30 blocks 97% of the UVB rays. Moreover, SPF 50 blocks 98% of the UVB rays. Experts recommend using between SPF 30 and 50 for sufficient protection against the sun. However, for complete protection, you might want to go above SPF 50+.</p><p><br></p>

Understanding SPF In Sunscreens

<p dir="ltr">You also need to make sure that your <a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/retinoids-and-sunscreen-a-love-affair">sunscreen</a> is broad-spectrum, which means that it should have both UVA and UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB rays have overlapping effects. They can cause burns and premature ageing. However, UVA rays are for dark spots and fine lines, while UVB rays play a very significant role in the production of sunburns and cancer.</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>

<p>Everyone who is under the sun should be wearing sunscreen, no matter what their skin tone is.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>How Much Sunscreen Do You Need?</strong></h5>

<p>You need half a teaspoon of sunscreen for your face and neck, and one ounce for your entire body. Since sunscreens break down with time, it is recommended that you re-apply it every two hours, and more frequently if you sweat a lot or if you are a swimmer. In both cases, your sunscreen breaks down faster. Moreover, the best practice is to use sunscreen at least thirty minutes before sun exposure.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">There are two types of sunscreens, mineral sunscreen and physical sunscreen. But which one is better? Both mineral and physical sunscreens absorb UV rays and help in preventing skin damage. However, mineral sunscreen also reflects some UV rays. So, the conclusion is that neither is better than the other because they both use different active ingredients. The actives in chemical sunscreens are avobenzone and homosalvate. Moreover, mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide and titanium.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In addition to sunscreen, the American Cancer Society also recommends having a holistic approach to sun protection. They recommend wearing protective clothing, avoiding tanning beds, and seeking shade between 10 am to 4 pm. All of these can cause long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p>

<h5><strong>Which Sunscreen Is The Best?</strong></h5>

<p dir="ltr">The best sunscreen is the one that you will want to wear every day. Sunscreens are available based on your skin type and complexion, which easily blend into the skin. There is a right pick for everyone.</p>

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	<h5><strong>Protects Your Skin</strong></h5>
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<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:0px !important; margin-right:0px !important">Sunscreens protect your skin from UV rays that are harmful to the skin because the depletion of the ozone layer has increased our chances of sun damage. Sunscreens block these rays, which reduces the likeliness of sunburn. Furthermore, look for a sunscreen that is no less than 30+ SPF to use every day. For full-body coverage, you will need to use at least one ounce of sunscreen.</p>

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	<h5><strong>Lowers The Risk Of Skin Cancer</strong></h5>
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<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:0px !important; margin-right:0px !important">The most common form of cancer in the United States is skin cancer<sup><a href="#accordion">[1]</a></sup>. According to CDC, 71,943 people had been diagnosed with melanomas of the skin in 2013. In addition, 9,394 of them were fatal<sup><a href="#accordion">[2]</a></sup>. When you apply sunscreen every day, you reduce your risk of getting skin cancer to half.</p>

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	<h5><strong>Prevents Premature Aging Of The Skin</strong></h5>
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<p style="margin-left:0; margin-right:0">UV rays damage the skin and cause photoaging. It is characterized by a thick and leathery look in addition to discoloration and breakdown of collagen which causes wrinkles or sagging. Studies say that those who apply sunscreen religiously before the age of 55 have 24% fewer chances of developing signs of ageing, compared to those who don&rsquo;t<sup><a href="#accordion">[3]</a></sup>.</p>
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	<h5><strong>Maintains The Skin Tone</strong></h5>
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<p dir="ltr" style="margin-left:0px !important; margin-right:0px !important">Sunscreen protects the skin from discoloration and dark spots caused by sun damage. It helps you in maintaining a smoother and more even skin tone.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>It has been recommended that infants, seniors, and people who have had a history of skin cancer take extra precautions against skin cancer because their skin is vulnerable. Everyone should prioritize using sunscreen before stepping outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. A wide-brim hat and ultraviolet protection clothing are also helpful in protecting against UV rays.</p>

<p>Infants have very sensitive skin. Therefore, babies under six months should avoid spending a lot of time under direct sun. Moreover, infants and toddlers who are older than six months with thinner skin should use sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Zinc and titanium do not irritate the skin because they don&rsquo;t penetrate it and sit on the surface instead, deflecting UV radiation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Key Points

<ul><li style="line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunscreens are important because UV rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing damage, wrinkling, and photoaging. All of which contribute to skin cancer. Moreover, UVB rays are the biggest contributors to skin cancer and are more prevalent during the day.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 1rem; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">SPF protects your skin from the sun, meaning if you’re using SPF 15, you can stay in the sun fifteen times longer compared to without protection.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 1rem; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">You should look out for sunscreens that provide broad-spectrum protection, are water-resistant, and have active ingredients. For example, zinc and titanium oxide.</span></li></ul><p><br></p>

[1] Guy Jr, G.P., Machlin, S.R., Ekwueme, D.U. and Yabroff, K.R., 2015. Prevalence and costs of skin cancer treatment in the US, 2002− 2006 and 2007− 2011. American journal of preventive medicine, 48(2), pp.183-187.

[2] US Department of Health and Human Services, 2014. Skin cancer as a major public health problem. In The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer. Office of the Surgeon General (US).

[3] Sander, M., Sander, M., Burbidge, T. and Beecker, J., 2020. The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer. CMAJ, 192(50), pp.E1802-E1808.

[4] Gallagher, R.P., 2005. Sunscreens in melanoma and skin cancer prevention. Cmaj, 173(3), pp.244-245.

[5] Tavares, R., da silva Paulitsch, F. and Zhang, L., 2018. Use of sunscreen and risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of dermatology, 28(2), pp.186-201.

Staff Writer

Overview

<p dir="ltr">Acne not going away despite long-term treatments and using expensive skin products?</p>

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to acne, the usual approach is to always treat the symptoms rather than target the underlying problem that causes it. Hormonal acne is one of the most common examples of how symptom-treatments do not always work until the underlying issue is solved. There is no specific age or gender for the prevalence of hormonal <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/acne">acne</a>. It can happen to anyone.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

Acne and Hormonal Acne

<p dir="ltr">Acne refers to the entrapment of foreign particles, dead skin cells or oil in the hair follicles of our skin leading to the formation of pimples, white heads and black heads.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">It often occurs due to underlying conditions that affect the body in ways that it overproduces sebum, secreted by the sebaceous (or oily) glands in our skin, which is composed of oil, fatty acids, waxes and cholesterol.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Topical treatments, such as investing and applying in expensive creams and facials don&rsquo;t work as the problem lies much deeper. Oftentimes, hormonal imbalance has been the biggest culprit for our bumpy skin.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Also known as adult acne, this type of acne is most prevalent between the ages of 20 and 50. This occurs due to the hormonal changes that occur in your body which has an impact on your skin&rsquo;s immunity, its production of sebum and the way it interacts with any foreign material.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Women are more prone to experiencing hormonal acne because the ups and downs of hormones are quite drastic, especially when dealing with periods or even menopause. In men, however, anything that fluctuates the levels of testosterone in their bodies or even family history of suffering with acne can trigger their skin into producing pimples.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">While there are many factors that affect your acne, there are still steps that you can incorporate into your life for managing it with the right dedication and, most importantly, consistency, you may even be able to completely get rid of it without opting for strong medications.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Effectively dealing with hormonal acne also requires a bit of a lifestyle change.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

Lifestyle Changes To Combat Hormonal Acne

<ul>
	<li><strong>Live A&nbsp;Stress-free Life Or Learn How To Manage Your Stress:</strong> It sounds unrealistic and almost impossible, but taking too much stress does nothing but deteriorate your health from your skin, heart to even your mental health.</li>
	<li><strong>Flush Out Your Toxins:</strong> This does not require fancy drinks. Water is your best friend to keep your organs in pristine condition. Skin is your biggest organ, and a hydrated skin is less prone to breakouts.</li>
	<li><strong>Management Of Hormones: </strong>Hormonal management is difficult, but can be achieved through many ways. Leading a healthy and active lifestyle with the right diet can aid in maintaining your hormone levels.</li>
	<li><strong>Use Of Non-comedogenic Or Non-acnegenic Products: </strong>Your favorite hobby is going to be reading the ingredients list of every skincare product that you buy. Educate yourself on the ingredients that have the tendency to clog pores and actively avoid thick oily or waxy products.</li>
	<li><strong>Use Of Niacin:</strong> Niacin is a great sebum regulator that does not heal the acne that you may be facing right now but it plays a vital role in minimising the occurrence of future breakouts.</li>
	<li><strong>Salicylic Acid: </strong>This the famous holy grail of acne victims. Known for its keratolytic activity, salicylic acid does a great job at unclogging pores.</li>
	<li><strong>Zinc:</strong> It is a common antimicrobial agent that is very commonly used in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical preparations as well as in sun blocks.</li>
	<li><strong>Benzoyl Peroxide:</strong> These attack the bacteria on your skin along with exerting an exfoliating effect that is characterised by the shedding of your dead skin cells and unclogging of the pores.</li>
	<li><strong>Retinol:</strong> The talk of the town for smooth skin is going to be your go-to for reducing acne scars.<br />
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Bottom Line

<p>Acne management and treatment is a daunting process that can require a lot of dedication from you. There will be days when you will get tired of the long multiple-step skincare routines,&nbsp;but the end result of smooth skin is worth the effort.&nbsp;</p>