About The Founder: Jessica Gremley
Jessica has been a Medical Esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist and Healing Diets Coach since 2003. After struggling with acne for more than a decade, she became determined to find a way to clear acne without pharmaceuticals for herself and eventually, future clients. Today, she offers a complete acne regimen that combines proven non-comedogenic skincare products, natural supplements, lifestyle coaching, and support from trained acne specialists to achieve lifelong clear skin. She and her staff serve locally at Natural Acne Clinic in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and nationally via NACs Online Acne Program.
Blood Sugar Balance Is A Must
If testosterone is your issue then working to balance your blood sugar is a must. When your blood sugar is wild then your ovaries and adrenals get the signal to make androgens.
Eat regular meals and include protein and fat with each meal. This will help you optimize your blood sugar, which will balance all your hormones.
Your Blood Pressure May Change
If youve ever looked up the side effects for combination birth control, you may have noticed that high blood pressure is usually listed. Thats because hormonal birth control, particularly types that contain estrogen, can potentially increase blood pressure, according to ACOG. Of course, not everyone experiences changes in blood pressure while on birth control. Its also possible that your blood pressure may have increased only slightly, so it didnt raise any red flags during physical exams. But all of this could explain any dips in blood pressure after stopping hormonal birth control.
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Problem: A Toxic Af Environment
Were inundated with tens of thousands of chemicals daily, most of which we know very little about or how they affect long-term health. Theyre everywhere , and its difficult to avoid them.
Toxic load means your liver works overtime. Add the pill to that problem and you often overwhelm your detox system. Your skin also helps detoxify. When your liver gets backed up, the repercussions show up asâyou guessed itâacne.
When To Start Preparing Your Body For Coming Off The Pill
Its a good idea to start preparing your body 2-3 months before coming off the pill to help with an easy transition process. By preparing your body and supporting it in every way possible, you will minimise the possibility of all those pesky symptoms popping up such as acne, emotional disturbances, etc).
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Know When Its Time To Get Extra Help
You shouldnt have to suffer just for the sake of getting your hormones back on track. If symptoms persist, your doctor can advise on next steps to take, whether its prescribing a medical intervention or another lifestyle change. I would advise giving your body two full menstrual cycles to see if it normalizes, says Nayak. If not, its time to seek support!
Support Estrogen And Testosterone Metabolism
There are specific nutrients your liver requires to effectively detox your hormones. And you know what, those happen to be some of the same depleted by the pill.
Using a supplement that is formulated with DIM, Calcium-D-Glucarate, green tea extract, and broccoli seed extract will support natural liver detox pathways, plus how your gut eliminates excess estrogen.
Balance by Dr. Brighten is a comprehensive women’s formula designed to harmonize sex hormones and improve common hormone related issues. Formulated with B Vitamins, antioxidants and hormone supporting herbs, this product helps support the body in eliminating excess estrogens and environmental toxins.
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How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars: The Path To Smoother Skin
Congratulations you finally won your ongoing battle with acne! Though the journey was probably tough , getting rid of your blemishes for good deserves a celebration.
That is until you realize some of those spots left a not-so-nice parting gift acne scars and discolouration. Does the journey ever end?
Although it can be discouraging to see those scars when you look in the mirror, getting rid of them isnt as tough as you might think. We sat down with Madison Noakes, Senior Medical Aesthetician, to learn all about acne scars and how to achieve a smooth, clear complexion.
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How To Heal Acne After Stopping Birth Control
Many women begin birth control to reduce or eliminate acne. Because of this, it can come back full force when you stop hormonal birth control as part of post-birth control syndrome.
Acne after stopping birth control, how long does it last?
For Alice, she had never had acne before starting the pill. This was a new struggle and one that left her feeling embarrassed and confused.
Whether you had acne or not before starting birth control, you can develop post-birth control acne, which is a common symptom of post-birth control syndrome.
If you’re coming off the pill, and you’re feeling afraid of having that post-pill acne or cystic acne come back, let me assure you there are steps that you can take that dont include another round of hormonal contraceptives.
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Post Pill Hormonal Acne
While waiting for your cycle to naturally regulate itself, sticking with a simple skincare routine that contains effective acne-fighting topicals will help control breakouts. Dr. Zenovia recommends using a cleanser with Benzoyl Peroxide which decreases skin inflammation, opens the pores, exfoliates the surface layer of skin, removes excess sebum, and kills bacteria. These properties make Benzoyl Peroxide a powerful acne-reducing agent.
These 5 Things Cleared Up My Acne After Stopping Hormonal Birth Control
Do you suffer from breakouts once or twice a month? Arent breakouts meant to be exclusively for teenagers? Unfortunately, for many of us, hormonal acne continues well in to our 20s, 30s, or even 40s. Menopause can also bring hormonal breakouts.
How is hormonal acne different from regular acne? If it flares up once or twice a month, usually around your mouth or jawline, and is often the painful, cystic, under-the-skin kind, you may be suffering from hormonal acne.
There are many fantastic natural, vegan, cruelty free face washes, toners and moisturisers, as well as topical gels and ointments available for helping to calm inflamed skin. Salicylic acid or glycolic acid are recommended ingredients. Many people also report giving up dairy causes a huge improvement in their acne. But if you have on-going problems with hormonal acne, you might want to think about treating the underlying causes, as well as finding good quality topical treatments. See your dermatologist for professional advice.
Ive personally struggled with breakouts from my teenage years, throughout and in to my 30s. Ive taken isotretinoin on two occasionsthis is an extremely strong drug with very serious side effects. Whilst it worked for a few years, eventually my skin started to break out again. Different types of the contraceptive pill can help, but coming off it again can lead to more breakout chaos. These are the 4 supplements that I found useful for finally clearing up my skin .
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Probiotics For Gut Support
Is birth control bad for my gut? Can I take probiotics with birth control? If these are some of your top questions know that youre not alone. These questions are sent to me regularly from readers.
Yes, birth control is bad for your gut, as I explained. And yes, you can take probiotics while using birth control. In fact, you should take probiotics because birth control disrupts the microbiome.
In my clinical practice I recommend Women’s Probiotic because it is a spore based organism that promotes microbial diversity in the gut. It also helps with creating healthy antioxidant status in the body. And it doesnt cause the same kind of issues a Lactobacillus species can if you have SIBO.
Balance, Prenatal Plus, and Women’s Probiotic are all part of the post-birth control basic supplement kit that you can check out here.
How To Prevent Back Acne
Body acne occurs when bacteria infect the hair follicles. This causes inflammation around hair follicles. Acne often occurs after puberty, especially during the adolescent years.
It can also occur in adults who are overweight or are not active. Body acne can be prevented by following these simple steps:
1) Shower after each workout- Remember to wash your body carefully after each workout session to remove the sweat and dirt on the skin.
2) Clean your armpits- Clean underarms with antibacterial soap twice a day since it is the most prone area for acne.
3) Dont share towels or clothes- Always use your own towel or clothes. Bacteria from other peoples clothes can cause acne.
4) Wash your face before going to bed daily.
5) Use a clean bed sheet daily.
6) Drink lots of water and follow a healthy diet.
7) Do not use antibacterial soaps or soaps containing alcohol since they can damage your skin.
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How To Deal With Acne After Getting Off Birth Control Pills
Dr Wan Chee Kwang
There are many reasons why women want to get off the pill, whether its wishing to get pregnant or realising a birth control pill might not be the best option for their mental health. Whatever the situation, some side effects are inevitable, and one of them is acne.
Our skin is greatly affected by fluctuations in hormonal levels and this is especially so for females. During menstruation, the drop in progesterone and oestrogen levels trigger the oil glands to produce more sebum. This excess oil results in more clogged pores and thus acne breakouts. A fluctuation of hormones also creates an environment for acne-causing bacteria these fluctuations, often responsible for pre-menstrual symptoms, causes psychological stress which can worsen acne.
In such instances, hormonal adult acne is suppressed by birth control pills. Most birth control pills contain oestrogen and a progestin that goes against the effects of testosterone. Higher levels of circulating oestrogen means softer and smoother skin. So with a birth control pill, youre essentially building more circulating oestrogen in your system to block the effects of testosterone, which is the main cause of most adult acne breakouts. In fact, some birth control pills can treat blackheads, whiteheads and cystic acne especially in stubborn areas along the jaw and neckline.
Your Period Might Be Unpredictable
Many people usually notice some spotting or bleeding about two days after stopping any form of birth control, Dr. Minkin says. If you used hormonal birth control, that bleeding is called birth control withdrawal bleeding because your body is adjusting to the changes in hormone levels, she explains. The next period after the withdrawal bleeding is technically your first periodand that could take some time to start up. Your cycle may be irregular after you stop birth control, or your cycle length may have changed completely, Jessica Kiley, MD, MPH, an ob-gyn and chief of general obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Medicine, tells SELF. You may need a few months afterward to regulate, she says.
In general, if your period is wonky three months after you stop any form of birth control, its a good idea to check in with your doctor. If you used hormonal birth control, then you may have a condition called post-pill amenorrhea, which prevents your body from creating the hormones it needs to ovulate and have a period. The name is a bit misleading because amenorrhea can happen when you stop any form of combined hormonal birth controlnot just pills.2 It sounds scary, but this doesnt happen to many people. And if you dont get your period, your doctor can recommend treatment to induce ovulation.2
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So Will Coming Off The Pill Cause Acne
No. But coming off the pill will unmask any acne problems that the pill itself was suppressing. If you saw your skin worsen on progestogen-only contraception, coming off it or switching to a combined method or non-hormonal method may improve it.
Always remember that you are so much more than your skin. Everybody is different, and the path you choose to take has to be right for you, whether thats hormonal contraception or a non-hormonal treatment. If you are finding yourself struggling with your confidence or mood because of your acne, please reach out to your GP or visit Acne Support, who have information about emotional support resources available to you.
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Weve Come A Long Way Babyand
Women fought long and hard for access to contraception so that they and we could have more control over our reproductive health. The problem is that the pill, while very liberating in many ways, can also have significant and serious unintended consequences. It creates a very specific set of hormonal imbalances that can have short- and long-run consequences. Pill-imposed hormonal changes also mean it can take some time to restore your own natural hormonal cycles after the pill, or establish a new healthy hormonal equilibrium if yours wasnt in balance in the first place which may be why you first started the pill.
References
Boyoung, Park & Jeongseon Kim. Oral Contraceptive Use, Micronutrient Deficiency, and Obesity among Premenopausal Females in Korea: The Necessity of Dietary Supplements and Food Intake Improvement. PLoS One, June 27, 2016.
Demiroren, K, Dogan Y, Kocamaz H, Ozercan IH, Ilhan S, Ustundag B, Bahcecioglu, IH.
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Can The Pill Cause Acne
You might have been offered the pill to clear up your acne, or you may have found that the pill itself caused you to break out. Weve got a full guide on the best contraceptive for acne, but heres a brief breakdown:
Acne is caused by excess sebum being produced in our skins glands. Androgens, which are produced in our ovaries, can ramp up the production of sebum and lead to blocked pores and spots. It is thought that oestrogen can dampen down the production of androgens, which is why most women are offered a combined contraception method as a first treatment option for acne. This also explains why some of us break out just before our periods, when our oestrogen levels drop.
For now, it isnt really clear what effect progestogen, the hormone in the progestogen-only pill , has on acne. It is thought that it can make sebum production worse, though, which is why some women might experience more spots than normal while taking the progestogen-only pill. There are several types of progestogens, and some are classed as antiandrogenic, meaning they block androgen activity. There is evidence that hormonal contraception containing antiandrogenic progestogens could be more beneficial for acne when compared to progestogens that are not antiandrogenic. The differences between pills, as well as our own individual biology, explains why so many women find that their contraception affects their skin differently to their friends, for example.
The Cause Of Hormonal Acne
Changes in the body hormonal levels can cause acne which is why teenagers typically experience acne as they go through puberty.
In women, specifically, hormonal acne often occurs around the menstrual cycle. During menstruation, the hormonal levels in the body fluctuate, and due to this, the formation of acne is typical among many women.
Another cause for hormonal acne is specific issues like PCOS, menopause, and increased androgen levels. Menopause occurs most commonly when women reach the age of 45 and above. Every woman is different and some may experience it early and some much later. These hormonal changes in the body can be a contributing factor to acne.
Menopausal acne occurs because of a drop in estrogen levels and or an increase in androgen hormones like testosterone. Many women take hormone replacement therapies to help with menopausal symptoms, so they are still likely to experience hormonal acne. This is because HRTs use the hormone progestin to replace the estrogen and progesterone hormones in your body. Using this hormone may even be what causes acne in your body.
The rise or fall in hormones can cause excess sebum production that accumulates with dirt into the pores and causes acne and skin cells can also become clogged in the pores.
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Eat A Clean Whole Foods Diet
Yeah, yeah, youve probably heard this one before! But let me say it again, because what you eat directly makes up the cells of your body and affects every aspect of your health. If you eat unhealthy foods, your hormones will be imbalanced, your metabolism will be thrown off, and your body wont be in an ideal state of health.
Focus on eating a clean diet free of processed foods and refined sugars. Junk food throws off your blood sugar balance, messes up your gut microbiome, and makes your hormones go crazy.
Avoid xenoestrogens , which are found in conventional meat and dairy products and conventional produce, thanks to the abundance of toxic pesticides and herbicides out there. Eat organic as much as possible, or at least focus on eating fruits and veggies on the EWGs clean 15 list and avoiding the dirty dozen.
Focus on eating as many vegetables as you can, as they contain much-needed nutrients and fiber to help with hormonal balance.
How Can Birth Control Prevent Acne
Acne is a direct result of an imbalance of hormones produced by the ovaries: estrogen and progesterone . Sometimes, when the ovaries produce estrogen, it gets turned into progesterone it is the excess of this hormone that can lead to acne. Fortunately, birth control pills turn this function off, preventing the excess of male hormones in your system. More specifically, being on the pill creates a protein that binds to the extra male hormones, resulting in less production of them.
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