Adult acne treatment options for menopausal women breaking out again

Menopause may be best known for hot flashes and mood swings, but it can also come with many other, less talked about symptoms, including skin changes.

Research shows that the majority of women experience skin problems as they get older, especially those they may not have had since their teenage years.

D., a double board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist in Manhattan. Amy Wechsler specializes in treating perimenopausal and menopausal women who are struggling with acne, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

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“And for them, it’s so scary because they’ve never had anything like this before; it’s so foreign to them,” he told Fox News Digital. “Acne has a lot of psychological overlap and impact on people, reducing self-esteem and self-confidence, causing anxiety and sometimes depression.”

midlife paradox

According to the doctor, there are two “acne peaks” for most women, one during puberty and the other during perimenopause and menopause.

“So there are a lot of women who haven’t had acne for 20 years and then they start getting acne again in their 40s,” she said. “And this time, it’s centered around the lower face, chin, and jawline, where hormonal acne tends to occur.”

“Women between the ages of 35 and 55 often come to see me complaining about wrinkles and acne, feeling too young for wrinkles and too old for acne,” she said.

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While men with a genetic predisposition to acne may continue to progress into older age, for women “there is a specific hormonal component from the late 30s to the early 50s, around perimenopause and menopause.”

Wechsler said the breakouts usually stop once menopause ends.

For most women, there are two “acne peaks”, one during puberty and the other during perimenopause and menopause. (iStock)

Some studies have suggested that taking GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes medications may increase the prevalence of acne, but others have failed to detect a link.

“I see patients taking GLP-1 all day long, so if there was a connection I probably would have noticed something by now,” Wechsler said.

Adult acne treatments

The main remedy for aging-related acne is to take hormone-related medications.

“Spironolactone is specifically for hormonal acne in women, Wechsler said. “It blocks testosterone from binding to testosterone receptors in the lower face.”

Taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may also help with acne, she noted, but treatments will vary depending on each person’s condition.

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“Some people come in with just little blackheads and whiteheads and may not need anything verbal,” she said.

“That’s when we can prescribe something topical, usually a retinoid from the brand name Differin, Retin-A, or Tretinoin. These are usually very helpful for small acne. They also anti-aging, which is nice. They grow collagen.”

The main cure for aging-related acne is taking hormone-related medications, a doctor said. (iStock)

Wechsler said he sometimes prescribes low doses of doxycycline, an antibiotic that also works as an anti-inflammatory.

“If the acne is different or covers more of the face or upper face, we will sometimes try a low dose of Accutane,” she added. “It really depends on the person and how bad the acne is.”

proactive defense

Genetics and hormones can contribute to acne, but stress can also affect the skin, the doctor said. One of the best ways to solve this problem is to get optimal sleep, which is “anti-inflammatory” time when the body recovers.

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“Unfortunately, many Americans do not get enough sleep,” Wechsler said. “Adults need seven and a half to eight hours. This is when the stress molecule cortisol is at its lowest and all the healing molecules such as beta-endorphins, growth hormones and oxytocin are at their highest.”

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In addition to sleep, the doctor recommends looking for ways to lower cortisol levels during the day to help reduce stress levels, such as exercising, getting fresh air, connecting with friends, stretching, or deep breathing.

One expert suggested that one way to prevent skin problems is to get optimal sleep, which is “anti-inflammatory” time when the body heals. (iStock)

Wechsler also emphasized the importance of choosing the right skin care products for people prone to acne.

“It’s really important that all products are non-comedogenic or oil-free,” she suggested. “This means the company has tested the product and said it won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts.”

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The doctor advised that it is also important to wash your face after exercising and at the end of the day, and never sleep with makeup on.

For those bothered by acne and not seeing results after two months of using over-the-counter products, Wechsler recommends seeing a dermatologist for help.