Understanding the 5 Types of Psoriasis
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6 Ways PCOS Can Affect Your Skin (and How We Can Help)
When skin problems refuse to clear up despite trying every treatment you can find, the issue might not be your skincare routine. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes multiple skin changes that doctors often treat as separate conditions without connecting them to the underlying hormone imbalance.
In honor of PCOS Awareness Month, Yvonne Hines, MD, and our clinical team at Hines Dermatology Associates in Attleboro, Massachusetts, want to help women understand why their PCOS-related skin issues often resist treatment.
Who should consider PCOS as a factor
You’re likely dealing with PCOS-related skin changes if you have:
- Multiple unexplained skin problems appearing around the same time
- Skin issues that don't respond to standard treatments
- Dark patches in body folds combined with other symptoms
- Hair growth or hair loss in unexpected patterns
- Family history of PCOS or diabetes
Dr. Hines evaluates these patterns along with your medical history to determine whether your skin problems stem from hormonal imbalances rather than isolated conditions.
6 ways PCOS shows up on your skin
These skin changes rarely appear alone. Most women with PCOS develop multiple symptoms over time, which helps distinguish hormonal skin problems from isolated conditions. PCOS-related skin conditions include:
1. Acanthosis nigricans
This condition appears as thick, dark, velvety skin in body folds like your neck, armpits, and groin. The patches feel different from the surrounding skin and don’t wash off with scrubbing.
Acanthosis nigricans develops from insulin resistance, making it one of the most reliable early markers for PCOS. The patches can appear years before other symptoms become obvious.
2. Hirsutism
Hirsutism causes coarse, dark hair to grow on your chin, upper lip, chest, back, and inner thighs, where women typically don’t have thick hair. Elevated androgens (male hormones) from PCOS stimulate dormant hair follicles, making the hair progressively thicker and darker over time.
3. Androgenic alopecia
Hair loss in PCOS follows a specific pattern, starting with thinning at the crown and temples. The hairline may also recede at the temples, creating an M-shaped pattern similar to male pattern baldness.
4. Persistent acne
PCOS-related acne tends to be more severe and persistent than typical teenage acne. The breakouts often concentrate along the jawline, chin, and upper neck. The acne may include deep, painful cysts that take weeks to heal.
Standard over-the-counter treatments frequently fail because they don’t address the hormonal component driving oil production.
5. Skin tags
Women with PCOS frequently develop skin tags, particularly around the neck, armpits, and groin. These small, flesh-colored growths hang from the skin on thin stalks.
The connection relates directly to insulin resistance. Higher insulin levels stimulate skin cell growth, leading to these benign but cosmetically bothersome growths.
6. Keratosis pilaris
PCOS affects how your skin processes keratin, the protein that forms the outer layer of your skin. As a result, small, rough bumps can appear on your arms, thighs, and sometimes face, creating a sandpaper-like texture.
Treatment approaches that work
Effective management requires addressing the visible skin symptoms and underlying hormonal imbalances. Topical treatments alone rarely provide lasting results. We may recommend potential treatment options, such as:
Hormonal interventions
Anti-androgen medications like spironolactone can reduce oil production, improve acne, and slow unwanted hair growth. Hormonal birth control pills can also help reduce breakouts caused by PCOS.
Metformin improves insulin sensitivity, which can gradually lighten dark patches and may reduce new skin tag development.
Targeted skin treatments
Prescription retinoids address acne and improve skin texture while helping with keratosis pilaris bumps. Chemical peels can improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark patches.
Laser therapy effectively removes unwanted hair and can improve skin texture. These procedures work better when combined with hormonal treatment.
Schedule your consultation with our team
Dr. Hines and our team understand the relationship between hormonal imbalances and skin health. We can help determine whether your skin symptoms are related to PCOS and develop a treatment approach that addresses the underlying causes.
Call our office in Attleboro at 508-222-1976 today or book your appointment online.
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