Skin Blog
Skin Blog
by Michelle Doan
on Dec 23 2025
There comes a point when skin begins to change, and the old rules stop applying. Sensitivity, hormones, and life itself ask for a different kind of care. Wherever you are in your skin journey, you’re not alone, and your skin deserves care that truly supports it.
Skin Blog
How to Manage Hormonal Acne: Tips for Different Ages
by Michelle Doan
on Dec 16 2024
Hormonal acne is often linked to fluctuations in hormones, such as sex hormones like estrogen and androgens. These fluctuations can lead to hormonal imbalances, affecting individuals at different life stages. Managing it requires a tailored approach depending on age, lifestyle, and hormonal changes. Below are effective hormonal acne treatments and tips for managing acne breakouts.
1. Teenagers (Ages 12-19)
During puberty, the body experiences a surge in androgens (male hormones), which stimulates oil glands to increase oil production. This leads to clogged pores and the formation of acne.
Tips:
Salicylic Acid: Use products containing salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates deep into hair follicles to clear out clogged pores and reduce oiliness.
Balanced Diet: Avoid foods like white bread and high glycemic load meals, which may spike insulin levels and exacerbate acne. Instead, focus on a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation.
Topical Treatments: Spot-treat active acne with benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil, which are effective acne treatments.
Foods that Cause Acne: Avoid certain dairy products, as they can sometimes contribute to hormonal acne breakouts.
Sun Protection: Use acne-safe skin care products with SPF to protect against scars.
2. Young Adults (Ages 20-29)
Hormonal acne in young adults often occurs around the jawline and chin, commonly referred to as jawline acne. This can be triggered by lifestyle factors, stress, or hormonal changes from birth control or menstruation.
Tips:
Birth Control for Acne: Certain types of oral contraceptives, such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen, can regulate estrogen and progestin levels, helping to reduce acne.
Stress Causes Acne: Practice stress-relieving techniques like yoga, as stress can increase oil production and worsen acne.
Topical Retinoids: Use topical retinoids like tretinoin to promote cell turnover and unclog hair follicles.
Natural Remedies for Hormonal Acne: Consider natural remedies like tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties.
3. 30s (Ages 30-39)
Many women wonder, “Why am I breaking out at 30?” Hormonal fluctuations from pregnancy, stress, or perimenopause can disrupt insulin levels and increase the production of sebum, leading to acne.
Tips:
How to Balance Hormones for Clear Skin: Consult a dermatologist about hormonal therapies or medications like spironolactone to regulate hormonal imbalances.
Best Skincare for Hormonal Acne: Incorporate antioxidants like vitamin C to calm inflammation and boost skin healing.
Diet and Acne: A diet high in refined carbs like white rice may worsen acne. Opt for whole grains and vegetables instead.
Signs of Hormonal Imbalance Causing Acne: Look for telltale signs like acne around the jawline and chin or persistent breakouts that don’t respond to standard treatments.
4. 40s and 50s (Ages 40-59)
Acne during menopause is common as estrogen levels drop while androgens remain stable, leading to an imbalance that can make acne worse.
Tips:
Dermatologist Tips for Hormonal Acne: Consult a dermatologist for prescription options, including hormonal acne products recommended by dermatologists.
Acne Treatments That Actually Work: Treatments like spironolactone or low-dose antibiotics can address persistent acne.
Best Over-the-Counter Products for Hormonal Acne: Choose hydrating products with niacinamide, which helps regulate oil production.
5. 60+ (Post-Menopausal)
After menopause, lower estrogen levels can lead to drier skin and occasional acne flare-ups.Tips:
Daily Skincare Routine for Hormonal Acne-Prone Skin: Use a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, and non-comedogenic sunscreen.
How to Get Rid of Hormonal Acne Scars: Professional treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy can address scars and uneven skin texture.
Treated Acne with Natural Remedies: Products with ingredients like sulfur can help manage active breakouts while being gentle on aging skin.
General Tips for Managing Hormonal Acne at Any Age:
Diet and Hormonal Acne: Avoid dairy products and foods with a high glycemic load, such as sugary snacks and white bread, which can lead to acne by affecting blood sugar and insulin levels. Instead, adopt a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation and support overall skin health.
Can Stress Cause Hormonal Acne? Yes, stress can exacerbate hormonal imbalances, increasing oil production and triggering breakouts.
Best Diet for Acne-Free Skin: Focus on whole foods, vegetables, and lean proteins to help balance hormones and maintain clear skin.
Birth Control for Acne: Ask your doctor if oral contraceptives like Ortho Tri-Cyclen are a good option to manage acne.
How Long Does Hormonal Acne Last? While hormonal acne can persist for years, a consistent routine and appropriate treatments can yield significant improvement.
No matter your age, understanding what causes adult acne in women and adjusting your skincare routine can help you treat and manage breakouts effectively. For persistent or severe cases, consult a dermatologist to discuss the fastest way to clear hormonal acne and create a personalized plan.
Skin Blog
Age Spots How They come and How can you prevent them
by KR Bautista
on Apr 03 2023
Age spots, also known as sunspots, liver spots, and solar lentigines, usually appear after the age of 40-50, but they can appear in people of any age. They are a direct result of exposure to the sun over a period of time.
Skin contains melanin, a pigment that gives the skin its overall color. When exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, or the UV rays in a tanning bed, the body produces extra melanin to protect the skin’s integrity. The greater the amount of melanin produced, the darker the skin appears. Age spots appear when the additional melanin clumps together.
Because people with light skin normally produce less melanin, they are more at risk for developing age spots as the body tries to protect itself. Unlike freckles, which can fade in the absence of UV light, age spots never fade. And while they’re mostly not harmful, they can make people self-conscious about their appearance.
At Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics, a vascular and aesthetic practice located in Puyallup, Washington, our team of expert aestheticians handle a wide range of cosmetic problems, including age spots. We offer a variety of treatments to help you clear them up and make your skin look smoother and younger.
What Do Age Spots Look Like?
Age spots vary depending on your natural skin tone, but they generally:
Are flat, dark, oval areas
Are in the range of tan to dark brown
Appear on skin that’s had the most sun or UV exposure over time, such as the backs of hands, face, upper back, and tops of feet
Range from the size of a freckle to about 1/2 inch (13 millimeters)
Tend to cluster
How Can You Treat Age Spots?
There are a number of different ways to treat age spots, or any type of hyperpigmentation.
Topical creams
Topical creams applied directly to age spots can lighten them, but be sure you talk to us before using one. Some contain hazardous substances, like mercury, and you should avoid them.
Creams are available over the counter, but you can also get them in prescription strength. They may contain:
Retinoids, like tretinoin
Cortisone
Hydroquinone
These creams work by lightening age spots gradually. Some can irritate your skin, especially if it’s sensitive. Our experts can prescribe one that’s right for you.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are minimally invasive treatments that use chemical solutions, such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, or phenol, applied directly to the affected area(s). The chemicals create a controlled wound, removing layers of dead, dry skin so that fresh, new skin can take their place. Since melanin is contained in the outer, epidermal skin layer, you don’t need anything stronger than a light peel to remove the spots.
Following treatment, your skin has a reaction somewhat like a sunburn — redness followed by a shedding of the dead skin layer over a period of 3-7 days. You may need to get more than one treatment to completely remove the age spots, and a light peel can be repeated every 1-4 weeks.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is another minimally invasive treatment that exfoliates the outer layer of skin, helping to remove age spots as well as other surface problems such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Our expert passes a small device over the treatment area(s), gently removing the top skin layer. The sensation is rather like sandpaper, but it’s not painful. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete the entire face, after which we apply a moisturizer. There is no downtime, so you can head right back to your daily activities.
Again, most patients need more than one treatment session to see complete results. Those who maintain their results the longest are the ones who both protect their skin from the sun’s UV rays after treatment and follow our recommended skin-care plan. Outdoors? Wear protective gear: hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen.
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