Female facial hair and Acne as a result of PCOS

[Amy124]

I came across this site trying to gather information on what has been happening to my face. I have always suffered from acne, yet in the past years it has gotten out of control (i am 27). I do not have cysts regularly, but my face is cluttered with numerous small acne bumps, most hidding little very thick hairs beneath them and puss. I know my acne is rooted from facial hair. I try to pluck them and I get acne when they begin to grow back, and ingrown hairs. I try to get the ingrown hairs out and it results in wounds and scaring. I really do not know what to do at this point. I tried laser, yet after the first session my face got out of control. I believe it must have happened when they first shaved my face (standard procedure for laser hair removal)- yet the shaving opened all the little acne bumps and must have allowed it to spread.

Someone mentioned diabetes and menstral cycle problems. I have very irregular periods and have been diagnosed with " PCOS " (a pre-diabetic stage).  I know my facial hair is rooted to this problem, yet I do not know how to fix it. If others reading this have facial hair, acne, and gain wegiht easily (even if you are not overweight, yet it is hard for you to maintain a stable weight across the year) , then I would get tested for PCOS. I have acne, thick facial hair around both my cheecks leading from my mouth to my side burns, and across the jawline and chin. I am not what you would call overweight, although I could loose 10 pounds, but as a child I was.

I know what is causing my horrible acne, yet no one (and believe me I have been to MANY doctors) has given me any solutions. I have tried birth control, topical/oral treatments for acne, laser hair removal, anything and everything (at one point rubbing pure aloe vera on my face), yet NOTHING has worked. These things have controlled the situation, until the new batch of hairs grow, I remove them (because I feel very uncomfortable with them), and then when they start growing back its the same process of acne, etc.. all over again.

Can anyone relate to this? any reccomendations? treatments? I don't know what is worst, a face full of acne or a face full of hair as a female... or worst, a face with BOTH and the scars from having it happen over and over again (my current situation). HELP!


This discussion is related to Facial Cysts with Ingrown Hair.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 10% of all women .It  is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility.
The principal features are weight problems, lack of regular ovulation and/or menstruation, and excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones.
Hirsutism — excessive and increased body hair, typically in a male pattern affecting face, chest and legs is common in this condition, unless this is treated the hair growth and acne will keep recurring.
Cyproterone acetate is a progestogen with anti-androgen effects that blocks the action of male hormones that are believed to contribute to acne and the growth of unwanted facial and body hair.
Other drugs with anti-androgen effects include flutamide and spironolactone, both of which can give some improvement in hirsutism.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCOS

[LindaTree]

I'm going thru the same things - however I did enuf online research to figure out that I finally needed to see an endocrinologist for the hormonal problem.  I was diagnosed with PCOS in my early 20's, but thought it only caused me not to have periods.  I had always had acne since around 14 years old, face, back, arms - everywhere, but I was able to manage it somewhat, birth control pills helped, but never cleared me up.  In my 30's however, I started getting the ingrown acne cysts all over my neck and chin.  After reading some of these forums and talking to some black male friends and some other research, I've come to the conclusion (all on my own) that part of it has to do with curly hair.  I've got curly blond hair, but it curls up under the skin and causes the bumps (I've pulled out 2" hairs!)  My friend John who is black told me about his bumps on his skin, as you see on a lot of black males if you look closely.  I see the problem as the hair starts to curl before it gets a chance to get out of the skin...and viola...a nice big bump.  I don't know if it happens to people w/ stick straight hair, but it might since most beards on men are curly.  

Anyways...I'm seeing an endocrinologist and she has put me on glucophage and spironolactone.  I'm not even close to being diabetic, but the glucophage is supposed to help w/ the PCSO symptoms.  Yes, I'm a bit overweight, but not too bad, and weight does fluctuate.  
The spironolactone is supposed to reduce the male-type hormones (androgens and testosterone).  It's only been a few months with no improvement, I'll give it a few months.  I've been on every type of dermatologist recommended treatments - antibiotics, topical treatments, pills, and have even went thru 2 1/2 rounds of accutane w/ no improvements.

Although the endocrine treatments may be a route you want to take, I wanted to warn you of a few side effects.  The glucophage makes you VERY sick at your stomach when you start taking it.  I don't know how many times I threw up the first few weeks. (make sure you eat when taking the pills)  But it does pass.  However, I talked to some diabetic people who say it gave them diarrhea - and now I'm seeing that part of it.   But what I really want to warn you about is the Spironolactone.  It is also prescribed as a blood pressure reducing medication, which is great if you have high blood pressure too.  However, mine was normal 120/80 or so.  After taking it for awhile, and after the dosage was increased - I started to feel extremely tired.  I had my BP checked and it was down to like 100/68 !!!   No wonder I was so pooped.  I'm starting to feel better now, but man it really knocked me out for a few weeks.  I needed to warn you.

Good luck with it all, I know it *****.
Linda

[NatalieRecovering]

I DEFINITELY think there is a relationship between facial hair and acne, and it is routed in hormonal imbalance.  Years ago I lost a signigicant amount of weight due to an eating disorder.  I had several side effects, including the development of facial hair.  I plucked my facial hair, and inevitably this would later turn into a pimple where I plucked.  It even seemed to spread like an infection.
My solution?  Weight gain, adequate sleep and eating enough fat.  When I do get occasional hairs and pimples, I have found that HYDROGEN PEROXIDE works better than any acne treatment around.
-Natalie

[LondonRain]

Hello Amy, I am 24 and after suspecting pcos for some time went to an endocrinologist and was finally diagnosed.
I only weigh 8 1/2 stone so am not overweight but go up and down like a yoyo. I really would not advise eating more fat when you have pcos. You need to manage your insulin levels which should reduce some symptons. Lower carb diet and less sugar as well as less red meat (due to the cholesterol and high blood fat levels pcos can cause) helps as does exercise to minimise weight around the middle organs. Metformin is a good medication, and is designed for diabetics but lowers insulin levels in those that don't have it too. There are some good suplements for acne too, zinc, vitamin E, there are others I can't think of but will add another time. I think it's essential that you see an endocrinologist and a good dermatologist ( I have acne and sebbhoreic dermatitis in my eyebrows from pcos). The dermatologist can offer topical treatments as well as laser and Pulsed light treatments for acne. They are expensive but if anything makes you feel happier it has to be worth it right?