Do Hormones Play a Role in Acne Scars?
Acne scars form when pimples damage deep layers of skin, and the body rushes to repair it by making new collagen. This healing process can leave behind sunken spots or dark marks if things go wrong. Hormones come into play here because they control oil production, inflammation, and even how skin heals after a breakout.
Start with how acne begins. Hormones like androgens, which include testosterone, tell oil glands in your skin to make more sebum. Too much sebum clogs pores, traps bacteria, and sparks pimples. This happens a lot during puberty, monthly cycles, pregnancy, or menopause when hormone levels shift. Estrogen usually keeps androgens in check, but when it drops, oil ramps up and acne flares on the jaw, chin, or cheeks.
Now, connect this to scars. Severe pimples from hormone-driven oil overproduction dig deeper into skin. The inflammation destroys collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm. Without enough collagen, the spot sinks in, creating depressed scars. Hormonal changes make this worse by slowing wound healing and boosting melanin, the pigment that turns scars dark.
For example, during puberty or menopause, hormone swings mess with the dermis, the skin’s middle layer. This leads to more collagen loss and poor tissue repair. Stress hormones like cortisol add fuel by making oil glands grow and skin cells shed unevenly, trapping more gunk and worsening damage.
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome raise androgen levels, causing stubborn acne that scars easily. Even birth control changes or medications can tip the balance, leading to breakouts prone to marking.
Healing varies by person. Hormones influence how fast skin bounces back. High androgens prolong inflammation, delaying repair and increasing scar risk. On the flip side, balancing hormones through diet, stress management, or treatments can help skin recover better.
Treatments target both acne and scars. Topical options like clascoterone block androgens right on the skin. Retinoids speed cell turnover to unclog pores and build collagen. For scars, fillers or peels fill in dents and even tone.
Sources
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hormonal-acne-adults-acne-causes-skin-hormones-explained-474128
https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/about-us/news/acne-over-30
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735603/
https://www.woodlandswellness.com/blog/understanding-depressed-scars-treatments-and-prevention-for-you/
https://www.mesoestetic.com/blog/acne-scars/
https://amvital.com/blogs/blog/hormonal-acne-dark-spots-what-actually-works
https://www.apollopharmacy.in/blogs/article/9-reasons-for-pimples-on-face
