Birth Control for Acne

Love Poodle · 11-13-2002, 05:39 PM

I am planning on taking birth control specifically for my acne. Does anyone know if this is a good idea? I am not sexually active. Does that make a difference as to whether or not I should take it?

behindmyeyes · 11-13-2002, 06:31 PM

candy apple red · 11-13-2002, 08:27 PM

My derm. had me take birth control when I was in high school before putting me on any other medication. He had had some luck curing mild acne in girls with birth control, and always ruled it out as an option before moving on to other things. It worked a little, but not to my satisfaction, so I did end up taking other things. It's worth a try, I suppose, and no, your sexual (in)activity isn't an issue.

**Julie** · 11-13-2002, 10:28 PM

Triphasal birth control pills (Ortho Tri Cyclen) are proven to help mild to moderate acne, but definitely talk with your doctor first. I can't take the pill, for example... but definitely talk with your doc.

Love Poodle · 11-13-2002, 11:26 PM

I so want it to work.

Erika · 11-14-2002, 12:11 AM

I personally hate Ortho Tri Cyclen. I didn't go on it for my acne but for BC. It made my skin worse (lot's of big ouchie zits on my face I never had before) and my period was hellacious. Just remember hormones react differently in different bodies. I'm not trying to scare you or anything, just offering up a different perspective.

**Julie** · 11-14-2002, 12:12 AM

Yup, exactly.

I'm a big proponent of creams like Differin, as they not only are anti-acne but anti-aging as well.

GimpyPoop · 11-14-2002, 12:14 AM

Yo,
My skin wuz fairlee good to begin wit, but my friends swar it'z made a werld of difference fer em. I derno rilly . . . yah, def. talk to yer gyno, but I knew lotsa gals in high skewl who took it specificallee fer acne - or so dey had deir mums believin'!
Me, the FLea

lacuna · 11-14-2002, 05:54 PM

I would definately agree about talking it over with a doctor, and definately keep in consideration about hormones reacting badly to the pill. I've taken three kinds of BC pills and they did zilch for my acne.

UN blonde how's that Differin working for you? I'm thinking of going to the dermatologist and getting a pX of it (of course if s/he agrees). I think I've been on everything except that and the new Retinol/retina or whatever with the "micro-beads" or some shit like that.

[EDIT] I also forgot to mention that the pill gave me a little bit of melasma, which is sort of a brownish discoloration of the skin on the face.

just mentioning things to consider. always know what a medication can do to you, good or bad.

Jezreel · 11-15-2002, 01:12 AM

Yes, it`s ok. I had acne around my chin and the doctor prescribed the contraceptive pill for me. It went away in a matter of 2 - 3 months. Thank goodness!!!

BUT...
Definately see a doctor. There are various kinds of acne and different types require different medication. Do NOT self prescribe!

**Julie** · 11-15-2002, 01:32 AM

Ah, the retin-a suspension? It's supposed to be very nice. Differin is a suspension too. Once I got past the initial peeling (which SUCKED) I had baby butt quality skin. Evened out my skintone too. I highly recommend it.

Love Poodle · 11-18-2002, 09:44 PM

I've never even heard of Differin, but I could ask my dermo.
I've had a lot of problems with oral medications recently.....I'm about to throw in the towel, embrace the acne and stock up on mediocre topicals.

Thanks for all your advices. I may go to the doctor soon (?)

genevievelaluna · 11-18-2002, 09:47 PM

if you have acne, but don't need birth control, i would try proactiv. it works great. proactiv.com. i use it at my friend's house about once a week and it clears up my whole face in one day.

blanketfriend · 11-19-2002, 03:03 PM

Definitely talk to your doctor, but mine has told me that any birth control pill will help, not just Ortho Tri (apparently they are just using that for marketing, but doctors have known that to be the case with all brands of the pill for ages).

Angel Rot · 11-29-2002, 12:38 AM

my doctor gave me birth control to help my acne...it worked really well, in my case. I've taken it for a long time. I tried to stop using it, but then the acne came back, so I'm still on it. I think soon I will try to go off of it again.