Birth Control And Acne?!

Dec 28, 2012

Shay R.

Okay so it is true that bc will work if you acne is hormonal. Skincare for acne prone skin can be tricky it all depends on if your acne is hormonal (around that time of the month) or if you're constantly broken out. If you're only broken out during that time of the month I'd recommend using a spot treatment. Just in the areas you need it and use basic face wash, oil free moisturizer and a mask/exfoliater a couple times a week. If you're break outs are more consistent then I would get on a consistent routine. With acne prone skin you need to be religious with your skincare. it doesn't matter what quality you use. the more you use it consistently the better it will be for you. I will say if you spend a little more you will get better ingredient quality but I understand skincare and makeup don't always fit into the budget. That being said if you go on bc that will still help to regulate period to be more regular as well as have less cramps and not as heavy periods. So you can always they the bc and if it doesn't help with your skin at least you have better periods and you have a better grip on what your akin is doing.

Dec 28, 2012

Vanessa C.

Only the pill will help, and itll only help if your acne is hormonal. You do NOT have to be sexually active for it to work, lmfao.

Dec 28, 2012

Catey P.

Asking the internet is a good place to start, but the only person who can give you correct information is your doctor. I hear a lot of myths and urban legends in this forum, and your doctor can sort that out for you. It helps some women who have hormonal acne. If your acne is generally around your jaw and cheeks, it's probably internal factors like hormones and diet, while T-Zone acne is more likely caused by products and excess oil (generally). Birth control will only have an affect on acne that's caused by excess androgens (a hormone), which is why it helps some people but not others.

Then again, it depends on the kind of birth control you get. The pill is taken daily, so it really evens things out. But others (which are more effective at preventing pregnancy) like an IUD or Implanon can make acne worse because they are a concentrated dose of hormones. I have the Implanon implant, and although it's making sure I definitely don't get pregnant and I didn't have a period at all for 2.5 years (score!), it's made my acne worse.

(PS: antibiotics stop your birth control from working. I know at least 3 women who got pregnant while on The Pill because they took antibiotics!!! If you're trying to fix your acne by taking both at the same time, you're not doing yourself any favors.)

Dec 28, 2012

Brooke E.

It depends on the person but a lot of people I know it hasn't helped.

Dec 28, 2012

Rebecca S.

I think people just bloat a little water weight for the first couple of months. Ask the dr. There are more options too, such as antibiotics, etc. 

Dec 28, 2012

Juliana M.

Thanks so much! I'll take everything into consideration. I really want clear skin but I don't want to end up with a fat body

Dec 28, 2012

Rebecca S.

If your dr. judges you get a new dr. Hope this is helpful.

Dec 28, 2012

Rebecca S.

Birth control pills help with acne and you do NOT have to be sexually active to make them work on acne. You can get pregnant after you go off them. They don't cause heavy wait gain. I bloated maybe a couple of pounds of water. They help a little with cramps and lighten your period. I'm on Ortho- Try- Cyclen which had been around for years, so side effects and benefits are pretty well documented. You'd want to talk to a dr. About stuff like family history of breast cancer and high blood pressure before going on them.
Personally, they have been really helpful for my skin. There are other prescription options for acne too

Dec 28, 2012

Alli Rose G.

See a dermatologist! They have prescription medications and techniques just for acne. I'd go to them before trying birth control. I had to go on it because I've had ovarian cysts. It did not change my acne that much. I also still get really bad PMS breakouts. Dermatology is the way to go. 

Dec 28, 2012

Lacey D.

YES! I'm 14 and a couple of years ago I was DESPERATE, so my mom got me on a birth control called Tri-Sprintec and it has helped me SO MUCH. Before my face was COVERED in acne. On a scale of 1-10, before it was about 8.5, now it's about a 2! It REALLY works!(:

Dec 28, 2012

Robyn C.

I Guess It Depends On The Person Because BC Made Me And Most People I Know Gain Alot Of Weight! Be Careful Because You Dont Want To Gain Weight Just Because Of 'Acne Problems', Losing Weight Isn't As Easy As 'Popping A Pimple'.

Dec 28, 2012

Bridget V.

@ Allison. I was on BC for 15 yrs. went off it about 5 mos ago and got preggers 3 mos after that. I did miscarry but not problems getting pregnant and still no acne. I think I finally old enough to not have to worry about it. I'll be 32 next month

Dec 28, 2012

Alice H.

BC actually can make your weight increase. I gained about 10-15 lbs when I first went on it, not because I was eating more, but because the hormonal changes made my body get more shapely. My hips and boobs filled out, basically, so I didn't mind too much. It was kind of a shock getting on the scale and seeing 130-135 instead of 120, but it didn't really show that much.

Dec 28, 2012

Rikki P.

It can increase your appetite and then if you eat more then usual, you may or may not gain weight. And if for some reason the birth control itself IS giving you weight gain, you're on the wrong one and you need to switch.

And birth control shouldn't give you fertility problems.

Dec 28, 2012

Yesenia P.

And if it does work, and you get off it- acne may come back

Dec 28, 2012

Allison W.

Mine didnt make me gain weight either. Ive been on it for like maybe 4 or 5 years now. Do you guys think im gonna have fertility problems?

Dec 28, 2012

Bridget V.

BC did not make me gain weight!!! 

Dec 28, 2012

Juliana M.

Thanks girls and I want to get rid of my acne but I don't want to gain weight @robyn does all BC make you gain weight? 

Dec 28, 2012

Robyn C.

Most Birth Control Makes You Gains Tons, & Tons of Weight. If You Don't NEED It, Then I Don't Recommend It

Dec 27, 2012

Rikki P.

and for the record, if it seems like it doesn't get any better, it COULD be that the kind of birth control you would be on is not for you. there are many people who have had to change brands because one wasn't working, so that's something to think about just in case. 

Dec 27, 2012

Bridget V.

Birth control works wonders for my skin. I wEnt on accutane, which is a miracle drug, but once I finished that I went on BC and haven't had issues with acne since. I did go off it in my mid 20s and I started to break out again. Went back on BC and it went away!

Dec 27, 2012

Yesenia P.

I'd your doctor judges you, that is unprofessional. Trust me, you aren't the only female - any age- that has asked about BC. You will be fine =)

Dec 27, 2012

Hannah C.

As most of the other ladies have said BC regulates your hormones so if you are having problems with hormonal acne then it might be worth it. I started due to menstrual cramps but I did notice a good improvement in my skin (except on the pills I'm on now but that's a different story). Don't be worried about your doctor it is what they are there for. They may also have a different solution for you if you don't want to take that step yet. And you don't need to be sexually active and it will have no effect on your fertility later in life. Good Luck xx 

Dec 27, 2012

Rikki P.

If your doctor ever judges you, he's probably going to be one that thinks birth control is only to avoid babies. /eyeroll Hahaha. But yeah, I agree, if he does get judgmental, punch him in the face! Hahahahah. 

Dec 27, 2012

Juliana M.

Haha thanks for the confidence boost