There are several occasions when the body may produce more sebum than usual. The most important is when the sudden generation of testosterone, a condition that all males and females experience during puberty, activates the sebaceous glands. We don’t fully understand how testosterone-produced by the testes in men and by the adrenal glands (situated just above the kidneys) in women-sensitizes the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. However, we do know that it is not the amount of testosterone that determines how much acne forms. Rather, any new spun of testosterone production stimulates the production of excess sebum.
If the amount of testosterone were determinant, men would obviously suffer far more from acne than women, and acne sufferers would have larger amounts of testosterone in their systems than nonsufferers. Moreover, one noted side effect of men who are placed on a testosterone supplement regime-a somewhat controversial therapy that some physicians prescribe to improve muscle tone, bone density, And libido-would be the appearance of acne. None of this is true. Thus, acne is certainly not a hormonal disease.
Another frequent trigger of acne in both men and women is stress . Again, we are not certain exactly how stress causes the production of more sebum, although there are several plausible theories. But no doubt there is a connection. Indeed, a not infrequent phenomenon is the appearance of acne in brides just before the wedding date-at precisely the moment they least want their faces to break out! This is stress-induced acne. And of course the acne adds to the stress and thus tends to perpetuate itself.
In women, a third important influence on acne is the hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle, during which testosterone and other hormones experience significant variations not only in quantity but also in the way they affect various bodily functions and feelings. Similarly, acne is often influenced by the on set of pregnancy or birth. A newly pregnant woman may paradoxically find that her acne suddenly clears up completely or suddenly reappears after years of absence. Then, when she has had her baby, she may again experience an onset or a cessation of her acne. Even more annoying, there is no guarantee that the problem always goes in opposite directions. Quite possibly, it could get worse both at the onset and at the completion of pregnancy. No one ever said having babies is easy!
Fortunately, the Acne Cure program will work just fine for pregnant women. And, because it involves no ingested drugs, and only very well proven external medications, there is no doubt in our minds that it is as safe for them as for anyone else. Nevertheless, if you are pregnant, before using these (or any) medications, even externally, you should first check with your obstetrion.